SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A group of clergy and union members rallied outside the Illinois state Capitol to protest what they say is Gov. Bruce Rauner’s efforts to cut social service costs.
Springfield home-care provider and Service Employees International Union member Gail Hamilton on Monday called Rauner and legislators who stand with him “immoral.”
The rally was part of effort in about 25 state capitals organizers called the “Higher Ground Moral Day of Action.”
The Rauner administration has said the cut in overtime for care workers who serve disabled residents, which was suspended in August, would save the state money. They say the child care cut was needed because of the state’s precarious finances.
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/2cEL1II) more reformers are needed in the Legislature to help grow the economy and free resources for “our most vulnerable.”