Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Two busloads of folks from the Chicago area, over 140 in all, descended on the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday morning to hold up signs protesting proposed cuts in social services, many of them for young people and the elderly in underserved neighborhoods.

The group also met with officials from the Dept. of Human Services and several legislators at the Capitol.

One of the organizers of the trip, Executive Officer for the social service organization, Angel of God Resource Center, Annie Smith, says there is a strong correlation between a rise in neighborhood crime rates and student unemployment during the summer months.

Pastor Johnnie Miller told WTAX News the summer jobs created by the funding allows young people to take pride in a job well done, earn some money for, perhaps, school clothes and even help their families out.

Dr. Linda McClinton says the proposed cuts will affect services offered around the entire state. She says kids need to visit the museum, the zoo and the parks to as she puts it, grow in grace, but for that funding is needed for transportation, supervision and other necessities.