MORE CASH FLOW GAMES. A local social service agency is awaiting federal money due it. The money goes through the state, which has not yet released it.

The fiscal drawbacks are due not to mismanagement or the economy, but the state government, which is holding funds allocated to Safe Passage by the federal government, Interim Director Jerry Lane said.

“We’re hoping the state starts paying its bills,” Lane said. “The state is holding federal money and not releasing it.”

The problem is made worse by the fact that 80 percent of funding received goes toward personnel costs.

“When we can’t make payroll, it’s a very serious problem,” Lane said.

I've been informed that the state has not yet released the funds it appropriated for Northern Illinois University, including the one-time injection of federal stimulus money that could imply a permanent reduction in subsequent state appropriations. We're currently running on tuition revenues. Meanwhile Springfield is kiting checks and lapping receivables.