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* Press release…
A new 60-second radio ad featuring a Chicagoan with a disability who is served by the DHS Home Services Program exposes the real-life consequences of Governor Bruce Rauner’s dangerous cuts to overtime care.
The new ad, which began airing Tuesday, October 17, features Jennifer Kostanski, who lost use of her limbs 14 years ago in a spinal injury suffered in a car accident.
The caregiver on whom Jennifer relies now faces suspension for working hours above the new overtime caps put in place by the Rauner administration; hours of care that Kostanski needs to live safely at home.
Nearly 1,000 caregivers have received similar disciplinary notices resulting from the strict cap put in place in August and all are on track for suspensions.
“I’m paralyzed from the chest down. I can’t imagine that I’d have any quality of life without my home care worker. I consider Melissa a godsend; she is my hands. I don’t see why Bruce Rauner is doing this,” Kostanski says in the ad. […]
Terri Harkin, a vice president with SEIU Healthcare Illinois, said:
“Jennifer’s story is a prime example of the dire consequences facing people with severe disabilities directly because of Governor Rauner’s strict overtime policy. The governor is threatening to take away trusted, dedicated caregivers from the people who need them most. We hope Gov. Rauner will hear Jennifer’s plea, change course and remove the threat of suspension to caregivers resulting from his illegally implemented policy.”
* Here’s the ad, which is airing in the Chicago and Springfield markets…
* Script…
Jennifer: I was in a car accident… in a blink of an eye my whole life changed forever… I’m paralyzed from the chest down … I need 24 hour care for the most part
I can’t imagine that I’d have any quality of life without … my home care worker.. I consider Melissa a godsend… She basically is my hands.
VO: Governor Bruce Rauner is continuing his attack on people with severe disabilities and the caregivers they rely on. Rauner is threatening to suspend nearly one thousand home care workers and leave the people they care for with nowhere to turn to meet their most basic needs
Jennifer: I don’t see why Bruce Rauner is doing this…
VO: Rauner is taking away trusted, dedicated caregivers from the people who need them most.
VO: Call Rauner at eight five five nine nine nine zero two seven seven. Tell him to stop attacking Illinoisans with disabilities.
Jennifer: I rely on my home health care worker she’s my lifeline.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 10:36 am
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A prime example of why Rauner wants to destroy unions- they have the ability to tell the truth about the consequences of his actions to a wide audience,something an individual worker is virtually powerless to do. Good job SEIU.
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 10:53 am
Feel bad for the staff at DHS who have to enforce Rauner’s “bold cost-cutting” strategies.
AFSCME and SEIU should partner up on this.
Comment by Sugar Corn Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 10:58 am
Anyone being served by SEIU already know this. Spend this ad money telling Rauner supporters what they need to know: the truth - “Rauner raised your taxes, gave you worse government and make you pay for abortions. Rauner is Madigan’s poster boy of why Republicans shouldn’t hold office. Rauner has to go.”
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:05 am
Rauner’s record with his nursing homes was a pretty good indication of how he was going to treat disabled people here.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:29 pm
This is an incredibly sad situation. These workers are underpaid and doing critically important work.
There is plenty of blame to go around here. Rauner needs to find other places to make cuts. But anyone who doesn’t acknowledge the ongoing pension debacle as playing a major role in this terrible situation has blinders on. These critical services will continue to get short changed due to the overwhelming pension debt. You want to raise taxes to specifically address this issue, I’m all in. You want more to continue to pay for excessively generous public pensions, feel free to contact me at my new home in Indiana.
Comment by Southside Lou Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:11 pm
**You want more to continue to pay for excessively generous public pensions, feel free to contact me at my new home in Indiana.**
Please do tell what your magical constitutional solution is to the underfunded pensions?
Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 3:56 pm
There is no solution Saul. That’s why I’ll hit the road. People act so indignant about those pensions, and don’t worry, they’ll get paid. But because they were so egregious, some people are going to suffer greatly. Those pensioners won’t think twice about them either. Enjoy that pension Saul, and justify it in any way that makes you feel good.
Comment by Southside Lou Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 5:15 pm