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Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This was yet another hugely controversial move that the governor undid today…

Expect updates.

…Adding… They’re giving credit to Rep. Dunkin…

* From SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher…

“As with child care, home healthcare for vulnerable people in Illinois will remain under the sword of Bruce Rauner until and unless his power to do harm is offset. Therefore, we urge that legislators vote for House Bill 2482 when they convene Tuesday and protect seniors and people with disabilities from ever being used as political pawns. This is not a time for celebration: We should never have gotten to this point in the first place.”

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Biz and labor reach unemployment insurance deal

Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As subscribers know, talks on this topic appeared horribly snagged last week. No longer…

Governor Bruce Rauner announced today that his administration has reached an agreement with business groups and labor organizations to reform and improve Illinois’ unemployment insurance system.

“We have a lot of work left to turn around Illinois, but today’s agreement is a step towards making us more competitive so we can increase investment in the state and grow jobs,” Governor Rauner said. “I want to thank the legislators involved in crafting this agreement and urge the legislature to swiftly pass legislation and send it to my desk.”

“For more than 30 years, governors and legislative leaders have brought business and labor together to negotiate changes to Unemployment Insurance for the benefit all in the state of Illinois,” Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Tim Drea said. “Because it is so vital to the economy and safety net for working families, Unemployment Insurance negotiations are always difficult, but all parties were committed to the process and an equitable agreement was achieved.”

“On behalf of the employer community, we would like to thank our counterparts in labor, the Rauner Administration and the representatives of the four legislative caucuses who all played valuable roles in reaching this agreement,” said Rob Karr, President & CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “While the discussions were rigorous, they were always fair and ultimately productive.”

Under the agreed framework an individual would be ineligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits following separation with an employer if a worker:

• Damaged an employer’s property through grossly negligent conduct;
• Consumed alcohol, illegal or non-prescribed drugs during work hours in violation of an employer’s policies;
• Provided false information in an employment application;
• Endangered the safety of himself/herself or co-workers through grossly negligent conduct;
• Knowingly and repeatedly violated reasonable written attendance policies of an employer;
• Refused to obey an employer’s reasonable and lawful instructions unless the refusal is due to the lack of ability skills or training of the worker or if the instruction would result in an unsafe act; or
• Did not maintain required licenses, registrations and certifications required by law for the specific job.

Under current law, a worker could still be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if any one of the above items occurred in the workplace. For the first time ever, these common-sense reforms will be implemented, creating a more fair and stable unemployment insurance system.

Additionally, the framework allows recently separated workers who are eligible for Social Security to receive a full unemployment insurance benefit. Under current law, 50 percent of the amount an older worker receives for Social Security is subtracted from the potential unemployment insurance benefit. Illinois and Minnesota are the only two states in the nation to allow this practice. This reform will return $25 million to Illinois seniors.

Governor Rauner had made strengthening misconduct and abuse provisions central components of his unemployment insurance reform proposal.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

After many hours of negotiations, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is supporting an agreement between business leaders and organized labor on unemployment insurance changes that has been reached. “For the business community, the two key issues in the agreement are a benefit change for seniors and a change to ‘misconduct’ for employers,” said Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber.

Both changes are important philosophical revisions for both business and labor, but neither are big ticket items from a dollar perspective.

The benefit change will eliminate the offset of Social Security for determining benefits based on an individual’s income. “With this change, some seniors may now become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits where they would have previously been disqualified because of Social Security income,” explained Maisch. Others will receive higher benefits because their Social Security income would have reduced their benefit amount. Illinois is the last state in the nation to offset unemployment insurance benefits with social security.

“The proposed revisions to “misconduct” include eight typically egregious circumstances for which employers may protest a benefit claim,” said Maisch. With this compromise, employers will not have to prove that the reason for the discharge was “willful and deliberate” and caused harm to the employer or was repeated after warning or instruction from the employer.

The bigger dollar issues for the unemployment system are the elimination of changes to the law that were set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016. If there had not been any agreement to change the law, employer unemployment insurance taxes would have increased an annual $470 million, and benefits to unemployed workers would have been reduced by approximately $300 million per year.

Finally, there will be a moratorium on any UI legislation through Jan. 1, 2018. This compromise plan needs state lawmaker approval and the governor’s signature.

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*** LIVE PRE-SESSION COVERAGE ***

Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Today’s big story about Gov. Bruce Rauner’s new child care program rules is just one reason why I think we could see more stuff breaking today and tomorrow, so I’m putting up a live coverage feed. Also, too, we have a willing sponsor for the next couple of days: The Health Care Council of Illinois. Follow along with ScribbleLive…

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Why there’s no link

Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Finke…

A crowdfunding effort has been launched to raise the money needed to keep the 50-year tradition of stringing Christmas lights on the dome alive this year.

It was launched Thursday by Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the conservative Illinois Policy Institute.

“I put it up (Thursday) morning,” Rasmussen said. “It’s pretty simple. I’m a Springfield resident, and I really like Christmas. I like holiday cheer. I like Christmas lights. I like Christmas ornaments. I thought it would be nice for the community, if this is something they value, to help step up and privately fundraise for this.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office said this week that it would not be stringing the lights on the dome as a money-saving move. The office said it will save $7,300.

On the GoFundMe website, Rasmussen wrote: “Illinois is broke and state officials are wisely cutting back on non-essential spending. Let’s come together as a community to privately fund this annual tradition.”

* SJ-R editorial…

Homebound senior citizens are getting fewer nutritious meals delivered to their homes. Public health departments are cutting back on services. Doctors are being asked to treat state workers and their families without any expectation of getting paid anytime soon. Shelters for women fleeing domestic abuse are closing or cutting back. The list of effects of Illinois’ budget impasse goes on and on.

But talk about not decorating the Capitol dome for Christmas, and the public attention perks up […]

Friday’s newspaper had another story about a different fundraising effort. This one was about Megan Garcia, a Cantrall sixth-grader. Columnist Dave Bakke told the tale of how Megan, who’s 11, heard of a local family facing the crisis of having a 2-year-old diagnosed with a brain tumor, and decided to help. First, she asked for donations to the family in lieu of birthday presents. Then she organized a school fundraiser. At the end, she raised more than $3,000 to help the Ingram family. […]

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to help others in need — no matter how small the amount — this will be the year to contribute.

And that generosity toward the most vulnerable among us will light up the holidays far more than strands of bulbs hanging from a dome ever could.

Agreed and that’s why I didn’t link to Kristina’s GoFundMe page last week. I think it’s nice that she’s doing it, and I don’t oppose it at all, but I’m channeling my energy elsewhere this year.

By the way, I checked with the SoS office and they said they’ve told Rasmussen to forward the money directly to CWLP because they don’t have any appropriations authority.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the Christmas lights at the Capitol dome in Springfield will be able to shine throughout the holiday season due to a $7,300 electricity payment provided by the Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois.

“I commend the Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois for their generosity and holiday spirit,” said White. “Their payment of $7,300 to the local power company, City Water Light and Power, allows the state to continue the more than 50-year tradition of adorning the Capitol Dome with colorful and festive Christmas lights. I also want to thank the Operating Engineers’ Local 965, Laborers Local 477 and Carpenters Local 270, who make up the Crafts Council.”

The Basic Crafts Council of Mid-Central Illinois submitted the check to the City of Springfield’s City Water Light and Power to defray the utility costs associated with powering the Christmas lights atop the Capitol dome during the holiday season.

The Secretary of State’s office had made the decision on Tuesday, November 3 to forgo putting up the Christmas lights on the Capitol Dome because the lights are nonessential and because the office is cutting costs in order to save money during the budget impasse. The office is committed to providing customer service and essential services to the public for as long as possible.

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*** UPDATED x5 *** Rauner reverses course, issues new rules on child care eligibility

Monday, Nov 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Subscribers know the back story on this press release…

Governor’s office spokesman Lance Trover released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 570:

“As a result of bipartisan discussions with legislators concerning the future of the Child Care Assistance Program, the Rauner administration today plans to amend the emergency rule it filed at the beginning of the fiscal year. Under the amended rule, income eligibility will rise to 162% of the federal poverty level while current co-pays will remain intact. Other eligibility and restrictions will also be lifted pending further review and legislative consultation. Additionally, the governor’s office will establish a bipartisan, bicameral task force aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of the program.

“The governor’s office thanks the serious, good-faith negotiations by members of the legislature who made today’s announcement a reality. This bipartisan agreement will allow us to avoid the unintended consequences and costs that SB 570 would have brought. By working together, we will be able to bring financial stability to an important program valued by members of both parties.”

*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…

State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D – Chicago Heights) released the following statement before her tour of the YWCA Kankakee Child Care Center to bring attention to the lack of child care funding:

“Every month that goes by without a budget hurts working families and children in ways that are immeasurable. Investing in child care is the responsible thing to do no matter which way you look at it, no matter which political party you belong to. I have been fighting for months to get more children into classrooms as soon as possible and give providers the stability they desperately need to make it through this crisis.

If Senate Bill 570 comes back to the Senate for a vote, I have agreed to hold it only as long as a the temporary rule is actually passed in the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on Nov. 17, giving thousands of providers and kids immediate relief. It’s past time for us to work together in every way we can every time we can. Our children deserve nothing less.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher…

“Now, at the 11th hour and ONLY AFTER bipartisan public outcry across Illinois over the pain and suffering caused by cuts that have kicked 70,000 kids off child care, Bruce Rauner comes to the table. His arbitrary actions, which should never have happened in the first place, show just why, deal or no deal, we still need Senate Bill 570 to pass tomorrow, to remove the ability for a governor, Democrat or Republican, to use unchecked executive power to destroy by rule those programs created by statute.

Since the governor apparently now realizes the needless pain caused by his actions, we call on him to expedite the rules returning children to the program instead of figuring out ways to use them as political pawns.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** From sponsoring Rep. Jehan Gordon…

Thousands of vulnerable children, parents and childcare centers have been affected by the devastating emergency rule that was enacted on July 1st. They all desperately need stability and certainly in these tumultuous times. It is my full intent to run SB 570 tomorrow afternoon in the House of Representatives. This legislation brings long term stability back to the Child Care Assistance Program. My primary focus and concern is that of children, families and childcare centers that need access to this vital work program now. We must pass SB 570 to statutorily make certain that our children are never put in this kind of limbo ever again.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Press release…

We applaud Governor Rauner’s decision today to suspend damaging emergency rule changes made to the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) on July 1, 2015. We also applaud our legislative champions in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly who refused to let children and families be anything but the highest priority in our state. Of course, we would also like to acknowledge the thousands of families and advocates statewide who continue to make sure the Governor and the General Assembly know just how important this issue is.

Key changes announced by the Governor today include:

• Increasing eligibility to 162 percent of Federal Poverty Level from 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Suspending child support requirements instituted on July 1, 2015.
• Suspending restrictive background checks for relative caregivers.

While this agreement is a good start, we recognize that there is significant work to be done in order to end the chaos that has been created in lieu of a state budget. We look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly on a state budget solution that includes sufficient revenue to fully fund all programs that low-income, hard-working families rely on.

Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois
Illinois Action for Children
Latino Policy Forum
Ounce of Prevention Fund
ReadyNation Illinois
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Voices for Illinois Children

*** UPDATE 5 *** From our pal Emily Miller…

Dear Rich,

The voices of children, families, and providers regarding the devastating impact of the Governor Rauner’s July 1st decision to cut child care in Illinois have been heard. Today, the governor and lawmakers announced a deal to immediately restore access to affordable child care to all families at or below 162% of the federal poverty level and to eliminate additional barriers put in place earlier this year.

The deal made by lawmakers and the governor means that, effective immediately, a single mom of two children entering the work force can access child care assistance in Illinois if she makes less than 162% of the federal poverty level, or $2,713 per month (roughly $15.50 per hour 40 hours per week.)

In addition, Governor Rauner has agreed that once a budget passes, eligibility for the child care program will return to the pre-cut level of 185% of the federal poverty level. That means a single mom of two who earns up to 185% of the federal poverty level, or $3,098 per month, will once again have access to child care assistance.

After 5 months of devastating cuts to child care, families and advocates are understandably wary of deals that might compromise Illinois’ commitment to ensuring families can remain self-sufficient by working.

That’s why, in addition to the changes announced today, Voices for Illinois Children believes it’s still important for lawmakers to take stand by voting yes on Senate Bill 570—a move that gives lawmakers and their constituents a means to ensure all parties to this deal remain accountable. A bipartisan ‘yes’ vote on SB570, and its passage in the House, will provide the much-needed and lasting proof that access to quality, affordable child care is a priority in this state.

If the governor and lawmakers continue to operate in good faith, as they have throughout the negotiation, the deal will move forward as planned. If they do not, the bill will be in a position to be placed on the Governor’s desk to eliminate the cuts for good.

Overall, the ability of governor and lawmakers to work alongside each other is encouraging in the context of the larger budget fight. Voices hopes this negotiation can serve as the framework for making further progress on the many issues impacting Illinois’ children and families.

We look forward to working with the governor and lawmakers to pass a budget with the revenue needed to fully fund vital programs for children and families.

Thanks for your hard work, and we’ll be in touch soon.

Emily Miller

Policy & Advocacy Director

Voices for Illinois Children

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