Established in 1979 by Public Act 81-202, the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program helps senior citizens, who might otherwise need nursing home care, to remain in their own homes by providing in-home and community-based services.

Gov. Bruce Rauner used his veto pen to change or sink a number of union-backed proposals, two of which dealt with pay and benefits for home healthcare workers.

The governor vetoed a proposal that would have the state pay more for insurance for private workers who care for the elderly or disabled through the state’s Community Care Program.

The governor stated in his veto message that the change would cost approximately $1 billion over the next four years.

Rauner said lawmakers didn’t include any way to pay for the new benefit.

He had the same complaint about another plan to raise salaries for home health care workers to $15 an hour.

Service Employees International Union, which drove the push for both plans, accused the governor of “continuing” the “war on women.”