Despite budget, Rauner still degrading life for Illinoisans in need

After nearly a thousand days, Gov. Rauner shows little inclination in helping Illinois' people in need, even with the recent budget passed over Rauner's heartless veto with help from responsible Republicans. 

Ponder state home health care workers, the poorest paid of all state employees at a near poverty level $13 bucks an hour. Rauner refuses to sign off on a measly 48 cent an hour increase authorized by the legislature but which Rauner has power to delay. This has prompted a lawsuit by the Service Employees International Union to force a guy who made $90,000 bucks an hour last year to throw a few crumbs at folks who add much more value to society than Governor Bruce. 

How bout social service programs for autism therapy, after school programs, immigrant integration assistance and burial for the poor. Many agencies providing these services cut back or closed entirely while Rauner promoted his businessman's holiday agenda. Rauner's signaled they will get less than the legislature's budget has authorized. Autism Program of Illinois closed its doors in June and will be hard pressed to function even if Rauner releases desperately needed funds. As former program director Russ Bonanno lamented, "I'm not sure what will come back. It's not like a light switch that you can cut off, then start up later expecting to pick up where we left off." 

Consider Illinois' staggering $15 billion bill backlog. Rauner has yet to issue bonds at lower interest rates to save $2 million a day in late payment penalties; $6 billion in savings overall. Rauner demands hundreds of millions in cuts, many affecting critical social services, before such borrowing. Delay cost since the budget passed? $120 million. 

How the governor sleeps at night escapes me. Apparently, you can lead Governor Rauner to a sensible budget serving the people....but you can't make him govern.