Home health care workers, seniors and their loved ones gathered at Hurlburt House in Peoria yesterday to denounce cuts proposed for the Community Care Program. It helps income eligible Illinois residents 60 and older live independently longer.
Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing a $200 million cut to the program.
Robin Tucker is the service coordinator at Wallick Properties in Peoria. She says programs like Community Care are critical for seniors.
“I just wish they would reconsider what they are proposing to do and come up with some more constructive ways to make the changes they feel need to be made,” Tucker said.
Tucker says balancing the budget is important but cuts need to come from someplace other than senior home care services.
The proposed 43 percent cut to the senior home assistance program would force a portion of those receiving services into nursing homes.