Activists Protest Budget Cuts Outside Gov. Rauner's Home
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Activists want to send a message to Governor Bruce Rauner that really hits home, so they are protesting outside his home.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports protesters are ready to spend the night outside Rauner's condo inside a Lakeshore East high rise.
The coalition of several community groups are protesting what they say are $18 million in budget cuts.
The group of about 150 people gathered over at the Bean in Millennium Park where the speakers revved up the crowd and then they hit the streets, marching over chanting and holding signs. They say Rauner's cuts will spell disaster for the state's homeless, poor, disabled and people with mental health and substance abuse problems.
"The actual proposed budget cuts make me just furious because Rauner really needs to take a look directly in the faces of the people who these cuts are going to hurt and not think of them as statistics," said Julie Rush.
"Illinois is solving its problems on the backs of people least able to support that burden," said Peggy Slater. "It's a cheap shot and I don't want to be a part of taking it."
The group planned on putting up what they call "Raunervilles" and about 15 are planning on spending the night in a tent outside Rauner's condo.
In response to the protest, the governor's said the state is facing a hole because of insider deals and overspending and says the budget contains $15 million for services specifically designed to help the homeless and other assistance programs.