CHICAGO-News is breaking that Bruce Rauner has vetoed House Bill 5764 and Senate Bills 2536 and 2931, which protect child care and home healthcare, respectively. In so doing
he is continuing the Republican War on Women and People of Color that was on display in such relief at Donald Trump’s Cleveland convention.

Following are the responses of SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher; SB 2536 sponsors Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) and Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago); and SB 2931 sponsors Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) and Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Matteson).

Keith Kelleher:

“With the vetoes of legislation protecting child care and home healthcare for people with disabilities and seniors, Gov. Rauner continues the Republican war on working women, African-Americans and Latinos who depend on these programs to be in the workforce. Rauner also is forcing seniors and people with disabilities into more expensive institutionalization. As we have seen, Rauner’s draconian rules changes mean 55,000 fewer children receive child care and with his overtime policies, thousands of people with disabilities are in a nightmare period scrambling to find care. It’s up to our legislative allies now to stand up to this governor and try to repair what Rauner is ripping apart.

“What we saw at Donald Trump’s convention this week was a blur of intolerance and division. These vetoes show Bruce Rauner is bringing the spirit of Cleveland home to Illinois.”

(CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BILL, SB 2536)

Rep. Carol Ammons: “While other states expand child care and provide more opportunities for parents to work, Illinois under Bruce Rauner is headed in the wrong direction and in ways that disproportionately harm women, African Americans and Latinos. I hope my colleagues will join me in standing up for children and the workforce who cares for them.”

Sen. Iris Martinez: “Properly caring for the child care workforce is just one step in restoring the Child Care Assistance Program. This is an important program for employees and employers alike, and I will continue to fight to repair the damage done by Bruce Rauner, which has been part of his larger war on women and people of color.”

(DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES BILL, SB 2931)

Rep. Sonya Harper: “The chaos that Gov. Rauner’s overtime policy has caused consumers with disabilities has put a spotlight on the stresses on the caregiving workforce and in ways that disproportionately affect women and people of color. The bill that Gov. Rauner vetoes would have strengthened and stabilized care in Illinois and it is a disappointment that Rauner has chosen instead to weaken it. I call on my colleagues to join me in standing up for vulnerable people and the people who care for them.”

Sen. Michael Hastings: “Illinois is facing a major crisis in providing care to seniors and our most vulnerable.  Governor Rauner’s veto weakens the caregiving workforce, when we should be strengthening it.   This Governor’s misplaced priorities of providing incentives to corporations, while breaking the backs of middle class Illinois citizens is not what we need.  I call on my colleagues to work together and override our Governor’s ill-advised decision.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 22, 2016

Contact: Graeme.Zielinski@seiuhcil.org, (312) 980-9128