SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ lack of budget is threatening rape crisis services, a program that helps women get screened for cervical cancer and the public health network. Senators meeting at the capitol Wednesday heard details of these and other woes.

There’s been a mumps outbreak at the University of Illinois, and measles are back, too.
Health officials note the reemergence of STDs – HIV, saying the globalization of travel certainly puts these once-thought eradicated diseases back on our doorstep.

They say public health departments are key in helping prevent the spread of such diseases, but the state’s budget impasse is “eroding” public health’s abilities — especially in rural areas.

As of this week, nearly a quarter of Illinois’ health centers have laid off staff or cut back hours.
A partisan divide has kept Illinois without a budget since July.