SPRINGFIELD—In addition to the spectacle of Gov. Rauner riding into the State Fair on his Harley motorcycle and using coach buses to block the view and drown out the chants of seniors, people with disabilities and parents – his constituents who have been hurt by his agenda – Comptroller Leslie Munger used the event to propose passing “no budget, no pay” legislation to guarantee an annual balanced budget.

It’s obvious that this election campaign rhetoric is aimed at making the people of Illinois think she is more concerned about them than continuing to be the “wingman” for Gov. Rauner’s destructive “Turnaround Agenda” that has wreaked havoc on every social service in our state and on those who depend on them. She admitted as much in an article published in the Springfield Journal-Register.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois Executive Vice President Greg Kelley released this statement in response to Munger:

“Ever since she was appointed by Gov. Rauner, Comptroller Leslie Munger has sat quietly by as her boss unleashed savage attacks on every social service depended upon by the most vulnerable in our state. In fact, she described herself as the ‘wingman’ for the governor throughout this destruction.

“She hasn’t uttered a mumbling word against the governor’s actions as service agencies literally went out of business. She sat quietly as thousands of children were thrown off of affordable child care and tens of thousands of students lost financial aid. When she had the opportunity to speak for the people, Munger has voiced support for Rauner’s devastation.

“Now she wants to propose ‘no budget, no pay’ legislation during election campaign season in an effort to make voters feel she has an independent voice and is concerned about their well being. Illinois voters have witnessed the carnage of the Rauner/Munger agenda and no electioneering rhetoric can hide the impact of the suffering that has been caused as she sat quietly by.

“There is no budget because Rauner doesn’t want one and cheerleaders like Munger are enabling the suffering to continue. Furthermore, our democracy is seriously undermined by punishing legislators who aren’t millionaires.”