Rose criticizes Democrats who killed his public aid abuse proposals

Posted on March 31, 2017
Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose says his proposals to crack down on public aid abuse were common-sense measures. (WJBC File Photo)

 

By Greg Halbleib

MAHOMET – State Senator Chapin Rose is criticizing Chicago Democrats who killed his proposals to crack down on public aid abuse.

Rose (R-Mahomet) said one of the measures would have required drug testing for public aid recipients.

“If people want to better themselves, I’ll be the first one to stand up and offer them a hand up,” Rose told WJBC’s Sam Wood. “But if people are going to stay in the lifestyle that put them in trouble in the first place, then I’m sorry, we’re broke and we have to move on.”

PODCAST: Listen here to Sen. Rose’s interview with WJBC’s Sam Wood. 

Rose’s other proposals would have required photo identification on Link cards and elimination of benefits for anyone with an outstanding criminal warrant. The measures were rejected in subcommittee on party lines.

Rose said Democrats on the subcommittee chastised him for the proposals.

“I was actually called mean-spirited by one of the Democratic members from Chicago,” Rose added. “Mean-spirited for daring to suggest that if you have a criminal warrant for your arrest, maybe, just maybe, we should suspend your welfare benefits so you not on the run from the law on the taxpayers’ dime.”

Rose identified the Democrats on the subcommittee as State Sen. Mattie Hunter and State Sen. Heather Steans.

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