Governor’s veto of home care bill shows disregard for people with disabilities and the workers who care for them

CHICAGO— Following is a statement on behalf of Access Living and SEIU Healthcare Illinois in response to Bruce Rauner’s veto of SB 261, a bill designed to protect people with disabilities in the Home Services Program and their caregivers from efforts to cap overtime hours, threatening the safety and independence of thousands of consumers:

“Governor Rauner’s veto of SB 261 today is a blow to thousands of people with disabilities who were counting on the governor to change course and end his efforts to cap overtime hours for caregivers in the DHS Home Services Program.

“For over a year, people with disabilities, workers, and advocates have spoken out sharing personal stories of the harm overtime caps caused, and detailing the danger posed to continued independence for thousands who rely on the Home Services Program to remain living with dignity in their communities. Governor Rauner’s veto today sends a strong signal that his administration will continue its path in shutting out stakeholders and ignoring the concerns of those who stand to be impacted by his overtime policy.

“Access Living and SEIU Healthcare Illinois continue to call on Governor Rauner to abandon his misguided and dangerous overtime policy, and instead, meet directly with stakeholders and negotiate an overtime policy that will protect the individual health, safety, and independence of people with disabilities in Illinois.”

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