Illinois now has a budget, but it’s the state’s backlog of bill that has the Christian County Health Department in a dire financial situation. The department has nearly depleted its reserve the past two years that Illinois has not had a budget, and now the department needs the promised state money to come through.

Nancy Martin is the county’s public health administrator. She says other counties have had to cut back services, but she’s doing everything she can to not have to cut back on services in Christian County.

Martin says the health department plays an important behind-the-scenes role for quality of life in Christian County.

Martin says just under $400,000 of their approximately $560,000 operating budget this year comes from grant money, and the department does not receive any county tax dollars. She says they do accept donations, for more information, you can give a call to 824-4113.