Rep. Budzinski, Illinois Comptroller sounds alarm over proposed USPS service cuts in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) - Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza fears proposed U.S. Postal Service service reductions could make it harder for the state to pay people and vendors.
As comptroller, she is responsible for paying the state’s bills. That includes state tax refunds and child support checks. Her office estimates it mails about 2.9 million checks across Illinois annually from Springfield.
The USPS is considering closing its Processing and Distribution Center in Springfield and replacing it with a local processing center. Mail originating in Springfield would be forced to go through a processing center in St. Louis before reaching its final destination.
In a May 1 letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Mendoza expressed her concerns with the potential change. She said any delay in service can lead to devastating consequences for people who rely on money from the state. She is also asking USPS to do a full impact analysis to make sure the proposed changes don’t lead to delays.
“What we’re asking the postmaster general that before this change is made, that a full analysis and impact should be done to make sure that these checks are not even one day late because there are a lot of seniors and providers and even taxpayers that even waiting one day is one day too long,” said Assistant State Comptroller Kevin Schoeben.
He said about two-thirds of checks the Comptroller’s Office mails go to Northern Illinois. He fears sending it to St. Louis only for them to go back north could create delays.
He also said people and vendors receiving checks from the state should consider going to direct deposit. Taxpayers can put their banking information on their state tax return for refunds. For other checks, people can set up a direct deposit system through the state agency they work with to receive the funds.
Mendoza, a Democrat, is also working with members of Illinois’ congressional delegation on the issue. They include Sen. Dick Durbin and 13th Congressional District Rep. Nikki Budzinski, both Democrats. Budzinski represents part of Sangamon County, which includes Springfield.
“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue. This is about constituents, this is about making sure that they are getting the services that they should be able to receive from their government,” Budzinski said.
She recently filed bipartisan legislation to halt the closing of Processing and Distribution Centers if they are located in underperforming postal districts. It would only allow USPS to reduce close, consolidate or reduce services from postal districts with a greater than 90.3% on-time delivery rate for three- to five-day first-class mail and at least a 93% on-time delivery rate for two-day single first-class mail.
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