It's been three months since lawmakers and the governor signed off on a stop-gap budget that neglected $3.2 billion worth of bills and borrowed $3.5 billion more. As a result, Illinois' debts continue to pile up. Because there's still no plan in place to reimburse them, many doctors and health care providers have little choice but to turn away the elderly, disabled, and impoverished families. Meanwhile, disadvantaged college students may quickly become the next college dropouts if the state can't find money to fund the Monetary Award Program. As lawmakers head back to Springfield for the so-called "veto session" tomorrow, their agenda is chock full of measures that will, in the words of the Rockford Register Star's editorial board, "apply a Band-Aid when the patient needs open-heart surgery."

Inexplicably, the full magnitude of the crisis seems yet to sink in for many lawmakers. But as the Chicago Tribune reports, everyday citizens are beginning to suffer.  For instance, an $18 million reduction in senior home- and day-care programs is set to take effect within a matter of weeks. Providers like Ernie Pilnikov, co-owner of Forever Young Adult Day Services, says that less funding leaves "no choice but to close our doors." The elderly who have depended on Forever Young's service must figure out how to maintain their independence.

Aside from being inhumane, the cuts also amount to bad public policy. Just this year, the state's own cost-cutting commission -- the Taxpayer Action Board -- advised the state to invest in, not cut, home care programs to avoid pushing elderly Illinoisans into more expensive nursing homes. Moreover, as the state lags further behind on paying its bills, the Heartland Alliance is tracking the growing number of non-profits that are racking up interest-heavy debt as they borrow against anticipated state revenue.  (Incidentally, many of these groups initially received state contracts as part of an effort to save taxpayers money.) While the bridge loans are helping to keep the doors of rehab centers and homeless shelters open, less money will ultimately flow to meet the growing demand for those services. With some reimbursements already lagging six months behind, the state's inability to pay its bills is putting the state safety net in jeopardy.  More from the Heartland Alliance:

Social service agencies may be able to survive day-to-day for the remainder of this fiscal year, but what will happen come next fiscal year? With the absence of American Recovery and Reinvestment funds to fill budget holes this problem could prove to be fatal to organizations that dedicate themselves to helping the vulnerable in the state of Illinois. How will this impact our communities, our families?

Today, the Register Star reiterates a point that editorial boards across the state have been making for months now: Illinois' budget deficit isn't going to go away by itself. The longer lawmakers try to ignore the fact, the shakier the state's education, health care, and human services will be for years to come. The Responsible Budget Coalition plans to rally at the state capitol on Thursday to drive this point home. Let's hope lawmakers are listening.