Caregivers protest in Rock Falls

Christy Cochran (right) leads health care union members to state Rep. Jerry Mitchell’s office in Rock Falls to protest Mitchell’s vote against a state income tax increase, which they want to pay for human services. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@svnmail.com)

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ROCK FALLS – Candace Hazelhurst severed her spinal cord in a car accident in 1973.

The 51-year-old lives in her own apartment in Rock Falls with the help of a caregiver, Elizabeth Handel, 59, of Rock Falls. To get around, Hazelhurst needs a wheelchair. It’s cheaper for Hazelhurst to live independently than to be in a nursing home.

» Related story — Kreider concerned about effects 
cuts would have on its clients.

“We’re living proof, it’s more cost effective,” Hazelhurst said.

Yet Handel fears losing her job, and Hazelhurst could find herself in a nursing home if the state goes through with proposed budget cuts in funding for human services.

Handel and Hazelhurst joined the roughly 50 demonstrators who protested Tuesday outside of state Rep. Jerry Mitchell’s office.

The Service Employees International Union, which represents workers in the health care industry, organized the protest. The union has been staging similar protests outside the offices of Illinois representatives who last month voted against an increase in the state income tax.

Gov. Pat Quinn still wants to raise income tax from 3 percent to 4.5 percent to help solve a $12 billion budget deficit.

Mitchell, R-Sterling, who was reached by telephone, said he received calls 10-1 against the income tax increase. At the same time, Mitchell said he is against the major cuts for human services.

“I don’t know how we’re going to save them all,” Mitchell said.

At a time when the economy has people worried about losing their job, home or car, an income tax increase may not be reasonable now, Mitchell said.

“People are worried, and not just about the Illinois economy; it’s the nation and the world,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he wants to see a responsible budget.

“What’s reasonable to me, may not be reasonable to unions,” Mitchell said. “What’s reasonable to the governor may not be reasonable to me. It’s in the eye of the beholder.”

Among the areas facing cuts are child care assistance and money for home health care for seniors and people with disabilities.

Christy Cochran, 38, is a child-care provider in Rock Falls.

“I survive off of this income,” Cochran said. “... And if they cut it, how could I provide for my family?

“I think they could cut back on other budgets. Our government keeps bailing out the car industry. That doesn’t help people like us. When it comes to people like us, regular citizens, hard workers, they want to cut our wages, cut our child care, cut everything.”

Cochran and Georgette Davidson, 43, of Sterling, who also runs a child care business , said they would be willing to pay more in income taxes to save human services funding.

“If they do a tax increase, it’s going to hit everybody, not just low income,” Davidson said. “Right now, that’s who it’s going to hit hardest if they cut child care.”

Rally Thursday

In an effort to keep funding for health and human services, the Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership will stage a “Save Our Services” rally to urge lawmakers to reconsider proposed budget cuts.

The rally is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the YWCA of the Sauk Valley, 412 First Ave., Sterling.

The public is invited.

For more information, call the YWCA at 815-625-0333.