Plan To Restore Recent Cuts Advances in Springfield

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network

Another series of fund sweeps would restore the so-called "Good Friday cuts."

On April 3, a week after lawmakers passed a budget fix and left town for two weeks, news surfaced of $26 million in cuts and grant suspensions for social services, including programs for autism. The new proposal awaits a Senate vote, expected today.

A proud dad, through sobs, thanked senators during a committee hearing Tuesday evening. "Daniel has a full-time job. He gets no money from the state. He's a tax-paying citizen," said Dan Gorog of Joliet. "He's a success story. He's a success story because you guys cared enough to put something together."

Daniel is 23 and works three days a week at a Joliet restaurant.

The sponsor of the new bill, State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), says he believes he can take Gov. Bruce Rauner's word for it that, once the money is found, the funding will be restored.