Illinois FY27 Budget Advances Mental Health, Housing, and Recovery Priorities
Early yesterday, the Illinois General Assembly finalized the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and concluded its legislative session. The budget and other measures approved by the legislature now go to Governor Pritzker for consideration. While the budget is largely flat compared to last year, there is still much to celebrate across the behavioral health and supportive housing sectors.
鈥淒espite difficult financial headwinds, we deeply appreciate the Governor and General Assembly鈥檚 measured approach and continued commitment to supporting vulnerable Illinoisans, including those living with mental health and substance use conditions,鈥� said Mark Ishaug, President and CEO of 91国产自拍.
91国产自拍听is听proud听to partner with state Senator Mike Simmons听to听secure听a $250,000 investment to renovate听The Glenn Apartments, a single room occupancy (SRO) building in Uptown that we purchased last year to preserve affordable housing for our clients and neighbors.
In partnership with the Healthy Minds Healthy Lives coalition, we also a resolution that听raises awareness of听concerning federal actions and encourages听policymakers听to recommit to evidence-based, community-backed, and person-centered treatment and housing models.
Although additional听funding for Housing Is Recovery was not included听in the budget, we are proud of听the progress we made in听raising awareness of this vital听rental听assistance听program and laying听the groundwork for future investment. Additionally, we supported the reinstatement of proposed cuts to Home Illinois听鈥� an important win for supportive housing amid concerns around the听future of the听federal Continuum of Care (CoC) program,听the nation鈥檚 largest investment in homeless听assistance听and permanent supportive housing.
Several听initiatives听aimed at strengthening providers鈥櫶齛bility to be paid fairly and on time also passed, including the听Community Partner听Fair Contracting Act and听various听provisions in the Medicaid Omnibus.
We also commend the legislature for extending a one-time $400 payment to households that have lost partial or full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to new federal requirements,听helping individuals during the transition.
Budget negotiations were shaped by听the reality that beginning January 1, 2027, Illinois will lose significant federal dollars due to major changes to Medicaid and SNAP听outlined in HR1.听In response, the听General Assembly听identified听new revenue听sources which will be听critical to听avoiding painful cuts and听sustaining听health and human services.