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Rauner to avert food stamp cutoff

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner has decided to take steps to allow more than 200,000 Illinois residents to remain eligible for food stamps, averting a threatened year-end cutoff that had alarmed social service advocates.

Sources in the Rauner administration said the governor will apply to renew a federal waiver that since 2009 has exempted Illinois from a federal requirement placing a time limit on some food stamp recipients.

The waiver applies to unemployed adults ages 18 to 49 who are not disabled or raising minor children.

The affected individuals, referred to as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, otherwise would be subject to a limit of three months of food assistance during any 36-month period if they are not working or engaged in a training program at least 20 hours a week. […]

Although it is generally agreed that the state meets the qualifications for the waiver — intended for areas with high and sustained unemployment — there was concern Rauner might not pursue it because of pressure from conservatives who regard it as a wasteful loophole.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:32 am

Comments

===there was concern Rauner might not pursue it because of pressure from conservatives who regard it as a wasteful loophole===

Feeding people is a wasteful loophole. Some of these conservatives call themselves Christians too, without a hint of irony.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:35 am
Such compassion.

*eye roll*

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:35 am
Did Diana Rauner called this a “business decision”, or…

Bruce Rauner asked Donna Arduin to advise and she mumbled something about “a job”…

If there’s a “decision” to be made about this, some may say you’re heartless(?)

Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:39 am
Did I miss the Bob Creamer stuff here ? I think He used to get ads on Capfax, shame shame shame Rich, you should be above this stuff, report the news.

Comment by Hinky Dink Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:41 am
===I think He used to get ads on Capfax===

He did? What ad was that?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:42 am
Also, HD, I have a post planned on that subject. Your impatience and lies are not flattering.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:45 am
You tell us Rich, he has been affiliated with dozens of groups over the years, are you saying it’s not true, why no coverage of this story ?

Comment by Hinky Dink Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:46 am
From Mark’s article- “Jim Conwell, a spokesman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, also applauded Rauner’s decision. He pointed out those affected by the waiver often face greater barriers to finding a job, such as low education levels, mental health problems, criminal records or homelessness.”

*****
This was the right thing to do, especially if Rauner wants to continue his work on criminal justice reform. I wonder who was arguing for and who was arguing against the waiver application internally? Did Rauner’s heart grow one size bigger?

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:47 am
===why no coverage of this story ? ===

As I already noted, there will be. But I’m gonna put it off now because of you.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:47 am
Unemployed able bodied adults without dependents between 18-49 get food stamps? Are they unemployable for any particular, demonstrable, reason, or have just become dependent on free stuff? Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?

Comment by vox populi Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:47 am
===Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?===

See you in church pal.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:50 am
I just want people to know how momentous this is. Since January I’ve been warning our customers that the work requirement was probably going to come back on. The re-imposition of the work requirement would absolutely destroy the Metro East. We have an unemployment rate nearly double the national average. In St. Clair county alone there would be 20-30 people instantly scrambling for work that isn’t there. They would have gotten 3 months grace period to find work.

If not A THREE YEAR BAN from food stamps.

You get it now.

I’ll give this one to you with full credit.

This was an intentional act of compassion.

Governor Rauner has both engaged in governing and compassion for the people of Illinois.

Honestly I’m stunned by this. We’ve worked for months to prepare our customers for the re-imposition of the work requirement.

Literally this is the first time I’ve felt respect for something Governor Rauner has done.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:50 am
=Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?=

Maybe.

But, this program isn’t like eating at Ruth’s Chris every night either.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:51 am
Before jumping to implicit bias towards who may or may not fall into the ABAWD category, please do your homework-

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/able-bodied-adults-without-dependents-abawds

Sometimes it’s hard to land once you jump to a conclusion.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:56 am
=I’ll give this one to you with full credit.

This was an intentional act of compassion.

Governor Rauner has both engaged in governing and compassion for the people of Illinois.

Honestly I’m stunned by this. We’ve worked for months to prepare our customers for the re-imposition of the work requirement.

Literally this is the first time I’ve felt respect for something Governor Rauner has done.=

Governor’s own.

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:58 am
=Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?=
GOOD LUCK with that thinking. Most people on SNAP want to work, they just can’t find a job. Oh IL is pro business and jobs are everywhere if only they would work……. (eye roll)

Comment by Rocky Rosi Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:00 am
===Governor’s own. ===

Yep. Which is why Rauner caved… and didn’t “give in” to conservatives that may asked that he didn’t.

Perfect example.

Another example is signing K-12 after asking every GOP member to be Red.

Why would Rauner sign it, if Rauner asked the GOP GA members to be Red.

Governor’s own.

It’s not a show of heart, it may be… showing how heartless Rauner can be is too much for a governor to bear?

With respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:02 am
OW

Agreed.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:04 am
==Gov. Bruce Rauner has decided to take steps to allow more than 200,000 Illinois residents to remain eligible for food stamps, averting a threatened year-end cutoff that had alarmed social service advocates.===

And out of that OW, you got:

==Yep. Which is why Rauner caved…===

That’s some prism you got.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:05 am
Gov mus have fell off his meds. This is collectivism at its core.

But ultimately, this affects a small group of people, the press will ignore it, so it’s a win.

It has to be strategy for gettin’ the black caucus to split off to get somethin’ from the runaground agenda through. There is no compassion here.

Comment by Dr X Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:05 am
Companies here are desperate for workers. Two requirements: 1) show up on time 2)pass a drug test.

It’s gotten so bad, that one major employer has stopped with the drug test just to get a larger pool of workers.

Jobs are plentiful.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:08 am
Madigan’s going to have to work on his image if he wants to support his candidates. He has become the biggest drag on them. If he’s going to blamed for everything he should start taking credit for everything…maybe a message to the effect that, if Madigan and the democrats don’t keep standing strong, a Rauner with control of two branches of government would never renew this waiver.

OK, that’s not very good, but he really should be getting out there.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:08 am
- A Guy -

Yep. “Why?”

===…there was concern Rauner might not pursue it because of pressure from conservatives who regard it as a wasteful loophole.===

The mere fact… there was concern… makes it a “cave”, not a choice to show heart… openly.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:08 am
I take it away then give it back, now I am the “hero.” what is gov rauners definition of “heartless”

Comment by magic carpet ride Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:13 am
Jeesh. Apparently OW cannot give credit where credit is due for doing the right thing and instead slings attacks. How we ever gonna get anything done when the first move is to snuff out any ray of light piercing the darkness? I get the war mentality but if we, on both sides, don’t encourage good behavior when we see it we aint gonna make it.

Honeybear, Next time I see Madigan do right I’ll gladly give him a hat tip. We need some class/respect in all this and I thank you for leading the way on it.

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:14 am
- Big Muddy -

You can’t cite “governors own” and ignore the context as to why a “decision” was made in the face of another choice and the Arduin prism here too.

I’m glad for those in need we’re not left out. The Governor has decided, and weighed, what his decision may do.

This decision, however, has this too… with Arduin’s influence also making it clear why there were concerns…

===…there was concern Rauner might not pursue it because of pressure from conservatives who regard it as a wasteful loophole.===

I can be hopeful and applaud moves, but to see this, given Arduin and his own pressures from conservatives, other than s governor realizing HE owns the fallout, isn’t diminishing the result. It does make clear “the why”(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:19 am
If this extension is needed the economy must be very, very bad and is not what Obama promotes it to be. And although Illinois may be slightly worse than the national average not that much.

Or is there something else going on?

Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:20 am
Downstate- “Jobs are plentiful.”

But…

Transportation options may not be.
Childcare may not be.
Full-time opportunities may not be.
Education levels needed may not be.
Skill levels may not be.

How we as a Community invest in these “may not be’s” will tell in time how strong we can be together. Some companies do, others don’t. Some communities do, others don’t. Some states do, others…

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:21 am
Timing this announcement right before an election?

I am glad steps are being taken to renew the

waiver. I think Rauner’s motivation is purely

political. If there was no election going on, I

don’t think Rauner would do this.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:24 am
“Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?”

Just fill out that job application before you starve to death.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:25 am
–Are they unemployable for any particular, demonstrable, reason, or have just become dependent on free stuff?–

Are you not aware that inherent in the definition of the word “unemployable” are “particular, demonstrable reasons?”

Shockingly, you obviously didn’t read the link before hitting the old talkin’point:

–“Jim Conwell, a spokesman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, also applauded Rauner’s decision. He pointed out those affected by the waiver often face greater barriers to finding a job, such as low education levels, mental health problems, criminal records or homelessness.”–

Back to you:

–Perhaps, if they didn’t get food stamps would they be more motivated to get a job?–

Perhaps if they get hungry enough, and still can’t get a job, they’ll be motivated to club granny on the head for her purse. That’s been known to happen, too.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:27 am
Would this have even been a question for previous administrations? Isn’t it a no-brainier? This is all federal money, right? So all the Guv did here was allow Illinois citizens (I know, they probably aren’t the “tax payers” he is always workin’ for) increased access to Federal dollars. Federal dollars that will be spent in the state, and add to the State’s economy.

Do I have any of this wrong?

If not, then why the back slaps and “atta boys”? How low has the bar been set for governing?

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:34 am
There are jobs available everywhere! I have had job openings all summer, but as soon as people realize they have to take a drug test, they never return their applications. If you can’t pass a drug test, you should not get any kind of State or Federal subsidy.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:34 am
Just another Liberal in Reformer’s hide…

Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:35 am
–If you can’t pass a drug test, you should not get any kind of State or Federal subsidy.–

So who’s the lucky Superstar that gets to pass out and collect the bottles when they start doing drug tests at Board of Director meetings for those who get EDGE credits or other state handouts?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:44 am
==Jobs are plentiful.==

==There are jobs available everywhere==

That doesn’t seem to be the popular narrative. I thought Illinois was a wasteland on a death spiral with jobs leaving every day. Are you telling us that’s not true?

You may want to send the Governor a note on where these jobs are plentiful.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:48 am
Aren’t these federal dollars coming into IL? This move isn’t out of step for Rauner, simply the best move for IL. He might not agree with tax dollars going to feed able bodied adults, but that’s on the feds. He’s the executive for IL, not DC.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:50 am
Telling someone to “just go get a job” when unemployment is record high is just cruel. And before you argue that there are always SOME jobs available, I will share that I applied for a lot of low end jobs and was constantly told I was over qualified.

Employers knew I was desperate for any job I could get, and probably would jump ship when something better came along, so the guy with two advanced degrees and 15 years of experience was passed over for someone with no education and/or no experience.

Comment by Not It Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:55 am
==Aren’t these federal dollars coming into IL? ==

To me that’s the entire point. We shouldn’t be giving up federal dollars unless we have to spend a lot to get them. You take what they will give you. As you said, we don’t make federal policy.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:56 am
A fair story on the issue should have mentioned

1. that the “work” requirements can be fulfilled by 20 hours a month in a training program or 20 hours in volunteer work. These people have no dependents; there’s no reason why they can’t meet that standard.

2. That the majority of states now comply with the work requirements, including 22 states that started this past January. And yet none seem to exhibit mass starvation or other signs of the apocalypse.

Comment by gopower Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 12:40 pm
It might have zip to do with compassion. The part time jobs ABAWDS might get make them a very unknowable factor for properly estimating their income. When caseworkers guess that wrong and the case is selected in the federal audit the state takes a hit in quality control. It might well be cheaper to spend the federal SNAP dollar allowing eligibility for these people just to avoid a federal sanction. The quantitative effect on the improperly motivated “worker” is a different subject.

Comment by Matt Vernau Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Citing this as confirming his self-description of ‘not heartless’? Yeah, only after ’starving the beast’ for a year & a half! Some ‘evidence’.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Jobs are plentiful downstate?
Just pass a drug test
Show up for work

But you forgot the deal killer.
GOTTA LIVE DOWNSTATE!
GOTTA LIKE JIGGALOS ON METH!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Back when we thought the earth was cooling and Uncle Sam was paying to store surplus food, that noted liberal William F. Buckley suggested giving every American a basic food ration, no questions asked. He argued it was cheaper to feed all than to sort them into categories of need.

This is still true. Basic unprepared food is cheap and we could eliminate hunger for less than we spend on food stamps.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:01 pm
–Honeybear, Next time I see Madigan do right I’ll gladly give him a hat tip.–

Not on my account. Wack away. I don’t particularly like or trust Speaker Madigan. There are any number of times in the past two years I thought he was going to throw labor under the bus.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:01 pm
–The quantitative effect on the improperly motivated “worker” is a different subject.–

One might think that and sure it’s possible but man have never worked at one of our offices. I know the exact sound of every supervisors foot fall and whether or not they are upset. Quality control is a very serious subject and man do they ever come down on you if you forget to budget something or mess up the income in any way. Again, there is human error, but as you read from my comments above, IES was designed to cut that WAY down. For that I’m glad.
Another safety feature is that Caseworkers have no access to the LINK system. That is held by supervisors and certain personnel who are trained in that system. Where you have caseworker fraud, and one was just caught a few months ago is in intake workers opening up fake accounts. This will be impossible with the new system.
The best thing that Rauner can do right now is to immediately stop the war on the state worker.

We’re honestly collapsing. We don’t have the people right now to even function. Need increases every single day. Where I sit, it’s the worst it’s ever been according to senior caseworkers who have been here 25 years. The state is drowning in need.

Help the helpers. Help us

Stop hating us and our good fellow Illinoisans

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:13 pm
– And yet none seem to exhibit mass starvation or other signs of the apocalypse.–

I don’t know, the rise of Donald Trump seems like a pretty strong sign of the apocalypse AND
that things are so bad that they just want to blow it up.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Okay so I have a correction. It’s not a three year ban. They updated policy. Here it is. You can see everything straight from the policy manual.

http://intranet.dhs.illinois.gov/onenet/page.aspx?item=14600

PM 3-15-00
PM 3-25-00

Gopower, in my area the volunteer programs and the Employment and Training programs are in total shambles. Dead. gone. But regardless, I have cited policy for you to explore.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Jobs are plentiful? Do these jobs pay enough to get people off welfare? Or just enough to do so, but not enough to actually live on?

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 1:57 pm
=Basic unprepared food is cheap and we could eliminate hunger for less than we spend on food stamps.=

That’s why Mars and the other junk food producers lobby so hard to keep SNAP as is. People just can’t grasp that food stamps, (in the current form) are one of the biggest corporate welfare scams around.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:15 pm
It’s not poor people lobbying to make sure they can buy Coke, Snickers, and DiGiorno Pizza after all.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:18 pm
As I said before there are job in South Central and Southern Illinois. You just have to want to work!!! Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon, IL. has been trying to hire 400 employees for 4 years and have yet to fill all those positions. This is just one example. No drug test is required. People do NOT want to do manual labor when they can sit home and collect money and have to do nothing in return. I realize there are people who legitimately needs help and deserve assistance, but there is so much fraud that needs to be addressed. Look at the money the state would save. Yes, I am sure additional people would have to be hired to monitor and to get rid of the fraud but the end result would be people working, putting money back into the economy! This is not rocket science - it is called running a good business OR in this case a good state!

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:18 pm
Robert the 1st. I agree. The winners from government programs are not always obvious. You are right to follow the lobbyists.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Downstate- Now, I’m not attacking, just asking. Where are they advertising for 400 jobs? Glassdoor only has 52 listed, and many need an advanced degree.

https://www.glassdoor.com/Jobs/Continental-Mount-Vernon-Jobs-EI_IE3768.0,11_IL.12,24_IC1129245.htm

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:33 pm
==Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon, IL. has been trying to hire 400 employees for 4 years==

I actually went to their website. 16 listed in IL. 7 require bachelor’s degree, 4 want Assoc. degree or 5 years experience, 1 wants AAS degree. There are 4 that only need a HS diploma or equivalent, but they prefer experience.

Comment by HangingOn Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Anon221 and HangingOn, the jobs that I am referring to go to temp agencies and after 6 months the company hires them. Their website only shows the positions open that they hire directly.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Thanks Downstate for the clarification. Having worked at temp jobs, sometimes you only take those as a “pay gap” job while you are searching for something else, going to school, or because of some other reason. The temp agency gets a cut of your pay, and you really don’t feel like you are on the same level as the PT or FT employees directly hired by the company. It can be less expensive for the company to go this route, but if they are having a problem with turnover and want to have employees that make their career there, then I would suggest hiring direct. Now, I will strengthen that with this as well- work with the Community Colleges in the commuting area and the high schools. Develop coursework and internships/work experiences for students and adult learners. Create a community environment. Continental has invested a lot in the Mt. Vernon area. They appear to be there for the long haul with the newest expansion. It’s been a rough decade (or more) for that area of the state. By showing the community that they will work from the onset with those willing to work, and not try them out as temps, that may allay some anxiety. There will always be people that don’t want to do hard factory work. But I would bet, given a chance to learn and grown with the company from the start, the return on “investment” will be more favorable than not.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:20 pm
=== - Big Muddy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 11:14 am:

Jeesh. Apparently OW cannot give credit where credit is due for doing the right thing and instead slings attacks. ===

Are you new here? This is from the self-titled “Republican”.

Comment by Cadillac Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 7:42 pm
- Cadillac -

“Are you new here?”

Rauner is a Raunerite. Rauner is not a Republican.

Do yourself a solid. Keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:57 pm
II Thess 3:10

Comment by Bible Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 12:16 am
Bible- And interpretation of that, in context, may not mean what some people think it means.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/9/21/1240473/-I-don-t-think-the-words-in-Thessalonians-3-10-mean-what-you-think-they-mean

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 7:55 am
Bible- Is that why red states are the number 1 users of the SNAP program? Red states are tax consumers to use the parlance.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 8:40 am

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