January 27, 2016

Seniors Continue to Fight for a Fair State Budget

IARA members continue to mobilize across the state to call on Governor Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly to enact a fully funded state budget that protects critical state services for seniors, children, and families.

On August 18th, IARA members gathered in Loves Park to call on State Representative John Cabello to support critical senior services by voting “yes” on S.B. 1229. This legislation would have protected critical senior services by preventing a strike/lockout of state employees in the event that they are unable to reach a contract settlement. Services that could be impacted by a disruption include providing aid and care to veterans, investigations into elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, and assistance through the Community Care Program, which keeps seniors out of nursing homes.

On Tuesday November 10th, IARA members, including Workers United Retirees, AFSCME Subchapter 163 and SOAR 31-9 joined with SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana to call on legislators to restore cuts to childcare and protect vital senior services. Alliance members spoke with elected officials about the need to pass legislation protecting the Determination of Need Score (DON), as changes to this system could eliminate homecare services for thousands of seniors across the state.

This fall, IARA members participated in the Responsible Budget Coalition’s Revenue Leader Summits in Rockford, Springfield, Carbondale and Metro East. These summits brought together local leaders to solve the state budget crisis. As IARA member Charlie Hogan told a December press event, “They need to put aside these non-budget issues. They have to sit down and find the revenue. The money is there somewhere.”