SEIU launches counter advertisement against Rauner

Posted on June 17, 2015

SEIU Healthcare Illinois has launched a 30 second advertisement to show the impact of cuts proposed by Gov. Rauner. (Photo courtesy SEIU)

By Joe Ragusa

SPRINGFIELD – A health care union in Illinois is launching an ad campaign to combat the advertisements from Gov. Bruce Rauner and his “Turnaround Illinois” independent expenditure committee.

Rauner’s ads pressure Democrats and House Speaker Michael Madigan to accept his agenda, including a property tax freeze and workers compensation reform.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois Vice President James Muhammad said their ads show the impact of budget cuts Rauner is threatening to make if he doesn’t get what he wants.

“This is our initial effort. We put it online and we’re talking about what else we can do,” Muhammad said. “This is a real serious concern of ours so I’m sure that we’ll consider all the options that might be available, but we definitely wanted to get this message out there.”

The advertisement from the Service Employees International Union features testimonials from seniors and disabled people who could lose benefits if no budget deal is reached by July 1.

“What we try to portray in our advertisement is the real pain that is going to be suffered by real residents of the state of Illinois,” Muhammad said.

SEIU’s ad:

Gov. Rauner’s ad:

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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