Gov. Rauner has expressed concern that nonprofits are reactive and ineffective and that despite the state's investment, Illinois residents are sicker and less educated than ever.

The only things nonprofits have been ‘reacting’ to over the past few years (and particularly this year) are massive cuts and uncertainty from their partner, state government. Nonprofits have gone above and beyond what they should be expected to do in order to keep their doors open and serve their customers with dignity and respect, despite the decrease in state support. The social impact sector is just as worried as Gov. Rauner that our citizens are not getting the services they need to keep them healthy and educated.

Years ago and well before Gov. Rauner’s administration, the state decided that instead of directly providing services to Illinois residents, it would partner with community based organizations. It has always been and always should be the state’s responsibility to help its most vulnerable citizens, whether the help comes directly from the state or indirectly through and in partnership with nonprofits. But that partnership has greatly deteriorated, leaving our nonprofits without the support they need to carry out their missions and leaving Illinoisans without basic human services.

Nonprofits have, for years, incorporated prevention, public health, evidenced-based work and data into the fabric of their organizations. With adequate resources, the social impact sector would gladly put a greater emphasis on these principles outlined in the Governor’s State of the State address. We are hopeful his commitment to these principles is a commitment to devoting the resources necessary to carry out these objectives. We are additionally encouraged by the governor’s support of community based organizations. We can only hope there are enough functioning nonprofits still open to serve our communities once this budget crisis is resolved.

We are proud of the work nonprofits have done across the state to help our communities, especially in times of crisis and constrained resources, and we encourage the state to become a much stronger partner in making Illinois a better place to live.

— Eric Weinheimer, President and CEO