TEXT-Fitch affirms Lutheran Social Services of Illinois revs

Dec 7 - Fitch Ratings affirms the rating on approximately $17 million of
Illinois Finance Authority's revenue bonds issued on behalf of Lutheran Social
Services of Illinois (LSSI; the institution) at 'BB+'.

The Rating Outlook is revised to Negative.

SECURITY

The bonds are secured by the unrestricted receivables of the obligated group,
backed by a fully funded debt service reserve fund and features historical
annual debt service coverage (DSCR) covenant of 1.1 times (x).

KEY RATING DRIVERS

OUTLOOK REVISION: The Negative Outlook reflects LSSI's weakened performance for
two consecutive years, violation of the DSCR in fiscal 2012, and continued
challenges in providing services given the state's budget cuts and low
reimbursement rates.

RATING AFFIRMED: The rating reflects solid demand and essentiality of services
provided by LSSI, an extensive operating history and liquidity and operational
support provided by the non-obligated Cornerstone Foundation (CF; the
foundation).

LIMITED LIQUIDTY: LSSI's recurring reliance on balance sheet resources including
CF funds, to offset operating pressures has reduced unrestricted cash and
investments at both entities to a five-year low in fiscal 2012.

VOLATILITY IN STATE FUNDING: Exacerbating high reliance on government funding
(over 75%) is the state's (IL; Fitch rated 'A', Outlook Stable) practice of
deferring vendor payments to manage operating deficits.

WHAT COULD CAUSE A RATING ACTION

CONTINUED OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES: Further declines in operating performance and
drawdown of liquid resources coupled with a lack of improvement in the DSCR in
the coming year could pressure the rating.

CREDIT PROFILE

OPERATING DEFICITS; DSCR NOT MET

LSSI's operating performance declined for two consecutive years due to a
combination of funding cuts and expense increases in certain program lines.
Fiscal 2012 operations yielded a negative 3% margin, declining from fiscal 2010
and 2011 margins of 3% and 0.3%, respectively. Consequently, DSCR declined to
0.19x. While not an event of default, pursuant to the trust indenture, LSSI has
retained a consultant who is expected to recommend steps to achieve fiscal
balance in the coming months. The consultant will evaluate the sufficiency of
rates and charges levied by the LSSI for break-even operations. Fitch does not
anticipate marked improvement in performance this fiscal year, given that rates
and contracts are negotiated on an annual basis.

LSSI derives over 75% of its revenues from governmental sources. These revenues
have been delayed due to payment deferral measures that the state undertook to
manage its accounts payable backlog. While LSSI has worked to align revenue with
expenses, state program cuts and forecasted shortfalls in appropriated funds are
expected to pressure operations for fiscal 2013. The uncertainty associated with
timing of current state receivables and expectation that services provided in
this year will experience similar delays is reflected in the Negative Outlook.

ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDER

Utilization statistics for LSSI are growing; people served by the various
programs for LSSI grew from about 100,000 in fiscal 2011 to 108,735 in fiscal
2012. While contract rates remain insufficient to cover costs and payment
deferral challenges abound, LSSI's core mission of service is relatively
insulated due primarily to its extensive history in providing state mandated
social services.

FOUNDATION SUPPORTS OPERATING VIABILITY

LSSI has traditionally relied upon CF resources to support operations via an
endowment grant of five percent of assets and also drawn supplemental monies for
capital purposes. While the foundation is not obligated on the debt, it exists
solely to support LSSI's mission and is viewed as an additional source of
liquidity.

LSSI liquidity has declined markedly, from over $5 million in fiscal 2008 to
less than $3 million in fiscal 2012. LSSI can access up to $6.5 million of CF
funds at any given time. Consequently the rating reflects LSSI access to CF
assets. As of fiscal year end (FYE) 2012 LSSI and CF had unrestricted cash and
investments (available funds) totaling $15 million which constituted 15.3% of
operating expenses and 82.4% of long-term debt. The investment allocation for
both LSSI and CF are similar with 30% domestic equity, 40% fixed income, 12%
alternative investments and the remainder invested in international equity.
Fitch considers the investment allocations for LSSI and CF moderately
conservative which should limit volatility in the combined financial cushion
that supports the obligated group's rating.

MANAGEABLE DEBT BURDEN

LSSI's debt burden remains manageable at 1.5% of unrestricted operating revenue.
Approximately $17 million in debt remains outstanding and MADS ($1.43 million)
occurs in 2017. Fitch calculated current debt service including annual payments
made on LSSI's line of credit which produced a debt burden of 2.4%, still
manageable for LSSI. LSSI's $3.36 million line of credit was partially utilized
($672k) as of fiscal 2012 and covers certain operating costs as state agency
payments are delayed. Fitch notes positively that there are no near term debt
plans for LSSI aside from costs related to general maintenance and facility
improvements.

LSSI, headquartered in Des Plaines, IL is a large, not for profit residential
and social services provider. Total revenues of the obligated group was
approximately $95 million in fiscal 2012. LSSI's operational viability and bond
rating is hinged on support provided by its non-obligated foundation subsidiary,
CF. LSSI disclosure practices are standard.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above
were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been
compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria' (June 12, 2012);
--'Nonprofit Institutions Rating Criteria (June 15, 2012);
--'Fitch Affirms Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Obligated Group, IL Revs
at 'BB+'; Outlook Stable' (Dec. 23, 2011).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria
Nonprofit Institutions Rating Criteria