Once again the state of Illinois has found itself unable to pass a budget - meaning many state and local agencies will lose necessary funding for services and staff.

At the same time they are proposing cutting more services to Illinois residents, the legislators and governor are also discussing additional cuts in the number of state employees.

At a time when local agencies are less able to provide needed services, cuts to funding/staffing of existing state agencies, while continually imposing more program requirements, create even more of a burden on those state employees working at these agencies that exist to help the public!

It seems that too often, the governor and legislators forget that state employees and their families are also citizens and taxpayers of Illinois. They are the ones who are being called to take unpaid days off or work days without pay - not the legislators.

And why is it acceptable for state employee pension funds to again be pilfered to pay for other state programs? When will those funds be returned so that future retirees will be assured of receiving the benefits they worked for and were guaranteed?

If this was a private company doing this, the CEO would be prosecuted!

If a tax increase is the only way to insure adequate funding for necessary programs for Illinois citizens, then pass it. Then make sure that the programs are being managed in a fiscally responsible manner and that the recipients of services are those that are truly deserving.

Mary Kay Carter, Normal