1M people lost services due to Illinois budget fight

(Illinois Springfield/Flickr)

A new survey of Illinois human service providers shows nearly two-thirds have cut programs because of the state budget standoff, leaving almost 1 million people without services.

The United Way of Illinois released results Wednesday of a survey of 429 agencies that have contracts with the state. Illinois owes those waiting to be paid an average of $525,000. 

The percentage of agencies that have made cuts was up from 48 percent in January.

More than half of agencies said they'll have to stop serving clients if the stalemate continues another six months. Nearly 60 percent have used cash reserves.

The areas hardest hit were substance abuse services, childhood education and mental health treatment.

Lawmakers have gone almost a year without agreeing on a budget.