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Seniors, Caretakers Protest Potential Cuts

Jennifer Fuller/WSIU

Governor Bruce Rauner's threatened budget cuts have seniors and the homecare workers they depend on crying foul.

Janna Miller helps care for seniors all over southern Illinois. She says the work she and others do helps keep seniors at home, rather than in a nursing home - but says it's more than that.
 
"And sometimes, we're the only person they see each day. Sometimes we're the only person they see at all because they have no other family. And when you take us away, then they have nobody."
 
But without a state budget, cuts to programs and services could reduce the number of hours homecare workers can be in seniors' homes. Betty Newbolds of Marion says she depends on the help.
 
"Why, she goes to the store for me, she takes me to the doctor's appointments. I've got her seven years this month!"
 
Lawmakers in Springfield passed a budget that keeps the homecare funding in place, but Governor Rauner says that budget is "phony" and he won't sign it.

The two sides have a little more than two weeks to work out a deal before the start of a new fiscal year.
 

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
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