* Tribune…
As Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner continued his vague calls for compromise Monday, House Democrats approved a measure to require his administration to give 30 days’ notice before it could cancel contracts with service providers who care for the vulnerable.
The bill is designed to prevent a repeat of an April 2015 move in which Rauner tried to save money by abruptly canceling contracts with social service agencies. Opponents at the Capitol dubbed it the “Good Friday Massacre.” Rauner later restored the funding amid intense blowback. […]
“This doesn’t say that you can’t cancel a contract if there’s no money for it; it just says the person with a contract is deserving of notice,” said sponsoring Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago. “I think it’s unconscionable to say to human service providers without one day notice we’re just going to cancel you. What this does is give them 30 days so at least they know how to respond to that fiscal problem.”
Republicans shot back that the focus should instead be on crafting a full spending plan so agencies don’t have to choose which services get paid and which go without as cash flow remains tight.
* Tom Corfman on the legislation…
Not to be suspicious, but does it seem like the Democrats are preparing for more budget deadlock instead of the “grand compromise” the governor so devoutly seeks?
It sure could be seen that way. After all, it’s been more than a year since those ignominious cuts.
*** UPDATE *** If you look at the roll call, you’ll see that at least four Republicans also voted for the bill: Batinick, David Harris, Moffitt, Pritchard.
