Signs Of The Dark Age: Mob Scene In Detroit; Budget Chaos In Illinois Oct. 8, 2009 (LPAC)—In Detroit today, thousands of people jammed into Cobo Hall and lined up around the building, to seek out housing aid from the federal government. WXYZ-TV reports that it quickly turned into a mess with reports of fights, people passing out in the crowd, and nearly a stampede. The City of Detroit Planning and Development Department intended to hand out a limited number of applications for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program today at Cobo Hall; $15 million has been set aside for the program which is part of the federal "stimulus" program.
Just to the south, the State of Illinois' pile of unpaid bills has grown to a record-breaking $3 billion, Chicago CBS-TV reports. Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes said yesterday that it's never before been this bad at this point in any previous fiscal year. Some service agencies that rely heavily on state reimbursement warn they will soon be forced to close down. Examples: A health-care provider that supports at-home care may have to shut its doors and lay off its employees while it waits for almost a million dollars owed by the state. A Chicago Meals on Wheels and nutrition center can't purchase food and is facing eviction. A large Lake County program for the disabled can't make insurance or mortgage payments.
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