September 28, 2010; Source: Huffington Post | Yesterday, NPQ covered the fast impending expiration of the “Emergency Fund” under the TANF (Transitional Assistance to Needy Families) program.

The $5 billion fund has created 240,000 jobs across 37 states with 26,000 of these in Illinois. Some of these jobs were in nonprofits. Today, Illinois governor Pat Quinn announced that he would extend those jobs for two months under the Put Illinois to Work program, even though it was not clear where the money might come from. “The best way to make our economy stronger is to put people to work—that is why we are temporarily continuing this successful program until Congress acts to extend the program,” said Quinn. “We cannot afford to lose momentum as we continue our economic recovery. Quick action by Congress will keep thousands of people at work in Illinois and will continue to build on the progress we have already made.”

If the program were to get a year-long extension it would be at a cost of $1.5 billion. One of the most excruciating things we have heard related to this program’s end is that in some states, like Illinois, terminated workers would not “likely” be eligible for unemployment benefits. Some 26,000 saved—214,000 still due to be laid off as of September 30.—Ruth McCambridge