D'Amico Calls on Governor Rauner to Sign Human Services Emergency Funding Bill into Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. ­­­­– State Rep. John C. D’Amico, D-Chicago is calling on Governor Bruce Rauner to sign a bi-partisan bill to provide emergency funding for human service programs into law despite the legislation being sent to the governor two weeks ago for final approval.

“It’s been nearly two weeks and the governor continues to sit on this bill that would provide much-needed funding for human service providers that take care of the frail elderly, developmentally disabled and abused and neglected children," said D’Amico. “I see the impact that these programs have on the hard-working families of our community and I will not turn my back on them. It’s time for the governor to stop campaigning and do his job by signing this bi-partisan bill into law.”

Senate Bill 2038 provides $700 million dollars in emergency relief funding for various agencies throughout the state. This bi-partisan stop-gap funding is meant to be a temporary solution to help relieve the financial burden these organizations are feeling while budget negotiations continue. Without the funding that this bill brings, many organizations and groups will have to stop providing services, leaving thousands of vulnerable residents without the care they need. D’Amico has been fighting to protect these providers from Governor Rauner’s extreme cuts-only approach when it comes to providing state funding for human service programs.

“It concerns me that Governor Rauner has proposed closing the state’s $5 billion deficit by exclusively cutting human service programs,” said D’Amico. “This is by no means a final solution for these services, it is one small step that we can take to ensure our most vulnerable residents keep receiving the care that they deserve.”

For more information about these laws or any state related issues, please contact D’Amico’s full-time constituent service office at 773-736-0218 or johnd@ilga.gov

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