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Rauner vetoes several social service bills

Friday, Aug 26, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Lots of controversial vetoes today, including a bill to expand the child care assistance program, a pay raise for folks who care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a proposal to give social service providers notice of a contract termination (including when the state agency doesn’t have an appropriation to pay the contracts), and a bill backed by the Illinois Nurses Association on contracting out prison health care services. Click here to see them all.

* I’ll post react as it comes in. Let’s start with this one, mainly because it has a catchy headline…

Rauner vetoes expansion of program that helps working mothers on Women’s Equality Day

SPRINGFIELD- A proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford that would have made child care more accessible to working parents and parents seeking a higher education was vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner today.

“I’m disappointed that the governor chose to turn his back on parents working to give their children a better life,” Lightford said. “This legislation was meant to empower hardworking people and help them reach self-sufficiency.”

Senate Bill 730 increased the income eligibility threshold for the Child Care Assistance Program to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level in 2016 and 250 percent by 2017. The change would have allowed thousands of families to qualify for the program.

Furthermore, the initiative would have expanded the program’s priority populations to include homeless children, children engaged in the child welfare system and families who need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities.

“We’re trying to give parents a leg up, many of whom are women,” Lightford said. “We should be investing in people who are already on the road to success who need a little help, because that’s how we begin to elevate our state together.”

The CCAP program provides financial assistance for working parents and students who need day care. Last year, many of those parents were left without child care after the governor made devastating cuts to the program.

* And here’s one from SEIU Healthcare…

Following is the statement of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Vice President Brynn Seibert in response to the breaking news that Bruce Rauner has vetoed Senate Bill 730:

“Bruce Rauner has done so much to endanger quality child care in Illinois and today is no different. Our hope was that he would take a chance to fix what he has broken. But his veto today of Senate Bill 730 shows that he is determined to create a dimmer and dimmer future for the children of Illinois and kill jobs in the process.”

“When Rauner unilaterally enacted his cuts to child care last summer, several experts, including his top administrator for the program, predicted the results would be “devastating.” And they were right. The program to help working families enter the workforce with quality child care had 55,000 fewer children participating than a year before, according to recent figures.

“Senate Bill 730 was an attempt to fix what Rauner broke and would have added an estimated 52,000 children to the program at a time when parents increasingly can’t afford child care and caregivers are being paid poverty wages. The vetoed legislation also would have provided a path out of homelessness or the child welfare system for many children.

“In recent days, we’ve seen Bruce Rauner pour his millions into the campaign coffers of candidates who vow to stand up for his special interest agenda that does nothing to fix our ongoing budget crisis, much less find solutions for the child care crisis facing Illinois. If only he found time to consider the future of Illinois children, instead of focusing on the future of a political agenda that has done us such harm.”

…Adding… Ray Graham Association…

Governor Rauner today vetoed House Bill 5931, legislation to address a workforce retention crisis among direct-support personnel (DSPs) who work with people with developmental disabilities. The community-based agencies that employ DSPs and the family members of the individuals with disabilities who they serve say Rauner’s veto will only deepen the crisis that has already put the state of Illinois in violation of a federal consent decree, forced DSPs to work for poverty wages and jeopardized quality of care for vulnerable children and adults.

“Illinois ranks 45th of the 50 states in spending for community services for people with developmental disabilities,” said Kim Zoeller, CEO of Ray Graham Association of DuPage County. “This workforce crisis is so great that Illinois is now in violation of the federal Ligas consent decree that ensures access to appropriate services. We are extremely disappointed by Governor Rauner’s veto.”

State government contracts with community agencies to provide day and residential services and supports for 27,000 people with developmental disabilities. But the community agencies are unable to attract and retain DSPs because for eight years the state has not increased their reimbursement rate, resulting in an average wage of just $9.35 an hour—below the federal poverty line for a family of four—for the 34,000 DSPs statewide.

Agencies across Illinois are currently unable to fill 1 in 4 staff positions.

“Our service system is crumbling,” Trinity Services CEO Art Dykstra said. “We are getting to the point where we will have to ask families to consider taking their loved ones home on weekends because we can’t adequately staff the houses.”

HB 5931 was intended to remedy this crisis by raising wages.

“My son is completely dependent on DSPs for his daily care,” said George Hardwidge, one of many family members who advocated for the wage bill. “When I watch what they do for my son and others with disabilities, it’s clear what they are paid simply isn’t enough.”

Even longtime DSPs are being pushed out of the field. Erica Hall has done the work for 14 years and said she has to work overtime just to make ends meet.

“We’re dedicated. We want individuals with disabilities to have stability,” Hall said. “But working 70 hours a week means you’re stressed out and not getting much sleep. How do you take care of another person when you’re not taking care of yourself?”

The coalition of agencies, family members and DSPs collected and delivered to Governor Rauner thousands of postcards urging him to sign the bill. The coalition will now mobilize those supporters to urge legislators to override Rauner’s veto.

“After almost a decade of no increase for staff, it is time to recognize the DSP’s commitment and value to helping those who need the help,” said Carl M. La Mell, President of Clearbrook in Arlington Heights.

       

26 Comments
  1. - Cubs in '16 - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:34 pm:

    More Friday afternoon shenanigans from Big Brain. If nothing else he’s predictable.


  2. - Thoughts Matter - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:39 pm:

    So we can guess which bill he’s going to veto next by keeping track of special calendar days? /s

    There is nothing more that needs to be known to know what types of people the governor cares about more than these two bills. He doesnt care about having good care for our children and our disabled. He’s made that clear.


  3. - Honeybear - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:39 pm:

    Cold and Callous

    It’s going to take a toll in November.

    The more he does this type of thing the easier it is to tie my local targeted incumbent to him.

    Now with a 421,000,000 hole in his plan, he’s going to take it out on others with a vengeance.

    His cruelty has no bounds. It’s a “business decision” isn’t it Mrs. Rauner.


  4. - AlfondoGonz - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:42 pm:

    He has the “courage” to veto these bills in consideration of financial implications, but not the courage to do so on any day but Friday.


  5. - Nieva - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:48 pm:

    I am just not sure where people think the money for these and other programs comes from. Taxes are at their max and taxpayers are getting fewer everyday. I know it seems uncaring to veto these bills but until the budget in the State of Illinois is brought under control we will see much more of this.


  6. - Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:55 pm:

    Should we expect the state worker lockout on Labor Day?


  7. - HangingOn - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:57 pm:

    ==I am just not sure where people think the money for these and other programs comes from. ==

    And you think having people on food stamps, medical card, LIHEAP, etc comes out cheaper? It costs the state less for programs like this than the alternatives.


  8. - Demoralized - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:58 pm:

    The Governor believes caretakers are paid enough and that it’s outrageous to pay them $15.00 an hour because it’s higher than the national average? Words escape me. Anyone that thinks these people are paid enough should be ashamed of themselves.


  9. - Demoralized - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 3:59 pm:

    ==I know it seems uncaring==

    Yes, it does . . . and it is.


  10. - Dome Gnome - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:00 pm:

    The Veto Message for HB5931 (DSP Wages) was insensitive. Citing low national wages as a reason? It’s expensive to live in most parts of Illinois and the service providers are floundering because they can’t adjust their rates. This governor is the worst thing that’s ever happened to the state of Illinois, no question in my mind.


  11. - Earnest - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:12 pm:

    Illinois is not even in the ballpark of his cited $10.71 national wage for DSPs. Illinois’ $9.35 is only 87% of that. How I long for a governor that uses real numbers.


  12. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:12 pm:

    These are “business decisions”.

    I’m sure The Ounce is just fine, thanks.

    People being hurt is ok, the agenda needs to be realized.


  13. - Chicago_Downstater - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:13 pm:

    How is this compassionate conservatism? It is neither compassionate nor cost-effective to veto these bills.

    Can someone please explain this to me?


  14. - BobO - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:17 pm:

    Vetoing HB 5931 is part of the plan to dismantle the social service system in Illinois. With staff vacancies rates pushing 30% and turnover in excess of 50% per year, the charitable organizations who provide the support needed by persons with disabilities are unable to provide important care. After they go out of business, the state will give the care contracts to for-profit companies. Since the for-profits can “lobby” in ways that charities cannot, they will eventually get the dollars they need to make a profit. People with disabilities will become a commodity.


  15. - Huh? - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:19 pm:

    Self censored comment


  16. - Matt P - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:22 pm:

    I’m glad he vetoed the DSP raises.

    Lawmakers should attach funding to their bills. Stop proposing bills without funding mechanisms.


  17. - Ron - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:24 pm:

    “- Chicago_Downstater - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:13 pm:

    How is this compassionate conservatism? It is neither compassionate nor cost-effective to veto these bills.

    Can someone please explain this to me?”

    Last I checked, there is no money.


  18. - Earnest - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:31 pm:

    >I’m glad he vetoed the DSP raises. Lawmakers should attach funding to their bills. Stop proposing bills without funding mechanisms.

    Fair point. I argued that he should not have signed K-12 unless there was a full budget, so maybe I’m a hypocrite for being upset that he vetoed this. But, since we have a govenor who is happy to deficit-spend on some things while intentionally destroying human services and higher education and dig the state budget hold deeper, I will maintain my disagreement with his spending choices.


  19. - Cubs in '16 - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:36 pm:

    ===Fair point. I argued that he should not have signed K-12 unless there was a full budget, so maybe I’m a hypocrite for being upset that he vetoed this. But, since we have a govenor who is happy to deficit-spend on some things while intentionally destroying human services and higher education and dig the state budget hold deeper, I will maintain my disagreement with his spending choices.===

    This. It’s not the vetoes themselves people are upset with, it’s the picking of winners and losers. The lack of appropriations only seems to matter to Rauner when it’s something he doesn’t want to see suffer damage.


  20. - northsider (the original) - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:39 pm:

    Matt P.-
    I’m glad that you don’t have to pay someone to feed you, bathe you, wipe you, change your diapers, soothe your confusion, or take you for walks.
    I’m glad you don’t have to do the same for a loved one, or for a client. Perhaps if you were in either situation–receiving or giving these very personal services– you wouldn’t be so glibly glad.


  21. - Seymourkid - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:42 pm:

    Ron there was money for exorbitant salaries for his “all stars”.


  22. - Dome Gnome - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:47 pm:

    Earnest, if I wasn’t already happily married and if this was anything but an online platform, I would likely give you a big fat kiss right now.


  23. - Chicagonk - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:54 pm:

    I wish the GA would fund their initiatives. Please raise taxes!


  24. - Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 4:55 pm:

    “Last I checked, there is no money.”

    Yeah, at this point, it’s like telling yourself to watch your diet as you ponder the 5th trip to the buffet.


  25. - Ron - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 5:03 pm:

    Welcome to Illinois, where pension payments crowd out social services for spending priorities.


  26. - Anonymous - Friday, Aug 26, 16 @ 5:14 pm:

    From Gov Rauner’s veto of 5931:
    “We should work together to pass a balanced budget. In that context, we can examine savings, program changes, or funding sources that could enable us to better use taxpayer dollars for this and other priorities”.

    It would be helpful if the Gov actually did what the constitution requires him to do - create and present a budget.

    The current rate paid by the state for DSP services does not allow organizations to pay even the national average without going broke. That current rate does not cover health insurance so many DSPs are on state paid Medicaid and many other state paid benefits.


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