(SPRINGFIELD) – The following is a statement on behalf of Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans and SEIU Healthcare Illinois in response to the Illinois House Human Services Committee vote (7-4) advancing House Bill 1424:

“We applaud the members of the House Human Services Committee who voted today to advance House Bill 1424, which would shield 36,000 elderly Illinoisans from Governor Rauner’s attempts to gut the Community Care Program with a $120 million cut, drastically reducing services for tens of thousands of seniors who are not eligible for Medicaid.

“HB 1424 will ensure that the successful Community Care Program continues to exist to keep aging Illinoisans in their homes as long as possible, preventing premature and costly relocation into nursing homes. This bill will protect Illinois seniors and Illinois taxpayers by preserving the delivery of high quality services for those who need it most at a fraction of the cost of nursing home care.

“We call on the General Assembly to swiftly pass this legislation and we call on Governor Rauner to abandon his misguided and dangerous attacks on our seniors.”

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