House panel backs social services funds, but Rauner noncommittal

Monique Garcia and Celeste Bott 

House lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would pump roughly $700 million into the state’s network of social service providers, a stopgap plan aimed at curbing layoffs and closures as agencies that care for the vulnerable struggle to keep the lights on after going nearly a year without funding.

While the measure cleared a House committee without opposition, Gov. Bruce Rauner‘s office raised doubts that he’d sign off on it, saying he’s focused on a more comprehensive budget deal.

Under the plan, roughly $450 million would come from a specialized fund earmarked for human services that’s supported by a portion of income tax revenue. Another $250 million would come from federal sources and other special funds. The money would be used on dozens of programs ranging from mental health counseling, treatment for those with epilepsy and autism, homeless prevention services, care for patients with HIV/AIDS, breast and cervical cancer screening and burial expenses for the poor.

Sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said the funds amount to roughly 46 percent of what social service providers would have received under the budget Democrats sent Rauner last year, which he vetoed.

While some providers have been able to operate with relatively little disruption after court orders kept the funding spigot on, many others have raided reserves or cut back on services to keep their doors open as they await state payment. Last week, a group of more than 64 agencies sued the Rauner administration, saying the state owes them more than $100 million for services they’ve provided since budget impasse began last July.

Harris said the legislation would relieve some of the immediate financial pressure and “we hope that we will be able to make whole all of the agencies who have been providing services.”

The proposal follows an earlier stopgap plan to keep universities and community colleges open through the fall, a bipartisan agreement that Rauner signed off on because it did not rely on money from the state’s general checkbook but again tapped into specialized funds that had surpluses following income tax season.

Officials with Rauner’s office threw cold water on the social services plan, saying they feared the legislation is a signal that Democrats will pull out of behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at striking a comprehensive deal, which has thus far remained elusive.

Further, if lawmakers continue to empty those funds, there will be less flexibility for Rauner down the road when the next budget emergency arises – such as the operation of prisons, where vendors are also waiting to be paid.

“The administration supports full-year funding for human services, public safety and public health in the context of a complete balanced budget for (this year and next),” said spokeswoman Catherine Kelly.

Still, Republicans gave initial approval to the plan on Wednesday, with reservations.

“I think that most of our members are probably going to support this bill today, but there are some concerns because we haven’t had time to really read through it or our staff to read through it,” said Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale. “I’m just asking that you’ll work with us for the next day or two over the bill.”

In other action Wednesday, home health care workers sounded off over the Rauner’s decision to limit their overtime pay, with caregivers telling a House panel the state’s neediest residents are suffering because of the cost-cutting move.

A federal rule took effect earlier this year that would require those workers to be paid at time-and-a-half when they work overtime. Under Rauner’s policy, which took effect May 1, overtime pay is allowed only in exceptional circumstances. The administration contends the state can’t afford to comply in the midst of its budget stalemate, and has said additional workers must be brought into any home where the primary caregiver has already worked 40 hours that week.

Advocates for the disabled contend that’s easier said than done, as part-time health care workers aren’t well-compensated to do a difficult job. Patients testified that they feared having to wait for care if a crisis happens outside their workers’ shifts, losing personal assistants they’ve grown close to after years of service and ultimately having to be institutionalized.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois, the union representing the state’s home health care workers, filed a claim with the Illinois Labor Relations Board this month, saying the governor should have first negotiated new overtime rules with them. The union also argued that it’s foolish to cut home health care funding, as it saves the state millions. It estimates the average cost of home health care services is $15,217 per year compared to the $52,000 per year it costs to live in a nursing home.

But the state’s goal isn’t to send more of those consumers to residential care, said Greg Bassi, chief of staff for Rauner’s Department of Human Services, who said most agencies and businesses expect their employees to justify requests for overtime pay. He added the agency has worked to recruit up to 5,000 additional providers to help fill the gap.

“Individuals living in their home are actually safer in the long run when they no longer have to rely on just one person that can provide that care, that understands their needs and that can be there in case something does happen,” he said.

Committee chair Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, became emotional during testimony, saying workers shouldn’t be punished for wanting to provide adequate care.

“You are not to be bullied and disrespected because of what it is you want to do,” Flowers said. “You want to do your job, and you’re doing it being paid or not.”

mcgarcia@tribpub.com

cbott@tribpub.com

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