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Union Targets Governor With TV Ads

SEIU TV ad
SEIU Healthcare Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political ads have had the airwaves to themselves for two weeks. But as of Monday they’re getting some competition.

The governor's ads have sought to make Democrats the villains, opposing Rauner’s effort to change Springfield.

“With your help, I’m gonna keep fightin' to grow our economy and fix our broken state government," Rauner says.

The ad is vague about what Rauner has in mind. Now a labor union is trying to fill in the gaps. With no budget in place, the governor has ordered limits on a program that provides senior citizens with in-home care — intended to keep them out of nursing homes.

"The governor wants to cut programs that benefit people like Betty," home healthcare worker Dori Curtis says in the ad. She's referring to Betty Wessing, who adds, "The rich is just gettin' richer and the poor is gettin' poorer."

The ad is from SEIU Healthcare Illinois, which represents home care workers. The union is negotiating a new contract with the Rauner administration.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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