Rauner keeps tax breaks for business; cuts autism program, breast cancer screening and more

Gov. Bruce Rauner made clear his administration’s priorities when he acted unilaterally to freeze funding for dozens of vital programs that serve those most in need, while giving the green light to special tax breaks for big corporations.

Since entering office, Rauner has used the state’s fiscal woes as justification for his extreme agenda, which has focused on weakening union rights, gutting programs that help struggling families and slashing vital public services.

Yet fiscal responsibility went out the window when Rauner had the chance to close tax loopholes for wealthy corporations like eBay, CapitalOne and CDW. On Thursday, the administration announced it was lifting the freeze on $100 million in “tax incentives” for those companies and others.

That decision stands in stark contrast to last Friday, when Rauner froze spending on $26 million in social services and public health grants that help those most at risk. The grants help fund programs for children with autism, people with mental illnesses, and even burials for those who cannot afford them.

The cuts may force some charitable organizations to shut their doors.

“The suspension of grant funding for epilepsy, autism, developmental disabilities, and mental health programs is devastating to the individuals that rely on these services to receive effective medical treatment and care,” The Epilepsy Foundation of North/Central Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska said. “These programs are designed to keep individuals out of the emergency room, employed, in school, and save the state millions of dollars in healthcare and disability costs.”

The ruthless nature of the cuts is prelude to the even more far-ranging cuts Rauner has proposed in the FY 16 budget he presented to the General Assembly.

“The governor’s willingness to put corporate welfare over people’s welfare is a matter of grave concern,” Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. “His twisted priorities aren’t shared by the rest of Illinois. That’s why our union is working for a budget plan that is fair to all citizens of our state."