IF THEY indeed had a sense of shame, the members of the General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn would be embarrassed to be out in public. But the so-called leaders of the state of Illinois have no apparent shame and that is why we have no budget and all sorts of worthy agencies are in financial turmoil.

It is unfathomable to think legislators could have left Springfield on July 1 with no intention of returning until July 14 to "fix" the budget. After all, who would want to mess up a long holiday weekend?

There might be some reason to hope they will come to an agreement on the budget. However, it is difficult to see how that will get done. Quinn just finished vetoing the part of the budget the legislature actually passed, and it took more than six months to get that done.

What has been done lately for us to believe they can do something substantial, beginning Tuesday? If there is a crisis in confidence in the legislature, it is because they have brought it upon themselves.

It is difficult to see how they can read the newspaper or talk to constituents and not fathom the pain they are causing. Here are some highlights from the past few days that you would think would cause a sense of urgency to develop in Springfield:

- Dove Inc. has laid off more than a third of its employees. It means the end of Fresh Start Catering and the job training it has provided to homeless people since February 2008, and the agency's diversity program. It also means scaling back the Community Services Program, working with neighborhood groups and the domestic violence program, although the 24-hour hot line and Decatur shelter will continue to operate.

- Macon Resources Inc. has laid off about 7 percent of its work force. Gone are the agency's group care unit for adults and children, sheltered work program for people with developmental disabilities, support that allowed clients to live independently and a self-advocacy program.

- At the Macon County Child Advocacy Center, the doors are still open, but a children's therapist, case manager and part-time administrative assistant have been let go.

- ARC Community Support Systems, with offices in Effingham, Teutopolis and Olney, started the new fiscal year with a funding cut from the state of $1.5 million. That has forced the agency to suspend services to 51 families through its in-home respite program, terminate its ABC Program that served 75 infants, children and their families, and end Family Matters services to 78 children. Eighteen employees were laid-off, and several others were moved to part-time status.

- Heritage Behavioral Health Center is looking at pay cuts for 230 employees and "substantial" layoffs because of a state contract that's more than $4 million less for the new fiscal year than it was for the previous year.

- Webster-Cantrell Hall in Decatur says it may have to consider layoffs if nothing changes in the near future.

- The start date for the Lincoln's Challenge Academy, which assists high school dropouts, has been pushed back. Teenagers from across Illinois can enroll in the military-style program. It lasts for 22 weeks in Rantoul, followed by a year of the participants working in their communities with a mentor. Without action soon, the program will likely shut down for the year.

- Quinn said the state is in the process of sending layoff notices to about 2,600 employees throughout state government, from state troopers to human services workers. Absent action, the actual layoffs will be completed in the coming months.

The list could go on and on.

Illinoisans deserve better than this from their elected leaders. But it is probably too much to expect them to come up with a reasonable solution when they begin meeting again Tuesday. Unfortunately for all of us, the General Assembly and the governor seem more interested in fighting with each other than getting down to the business of constructing a useful budget.