Rauner vetoes plan aimed at preventing elderly care cutbacks

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation that would have prevented the state from limiting which elderly and disabled Illinoisans qualify for state-subsidized help.

Illinois uses what's called the Determination of Need score to determine eligibility. The greater the need, the higher the score.

The proposal codified a qualifying score of 29. Rauner had previously proposed raising it to 37 to help free up resources. But advocates say that would've kicked off some 34,000 people.

Rauner's administration dropped the idea last year. He reiterated the sentiment in Friday's veto message, saying he has "no intention" of raising the score, but doesn't want to "unnecessarily restrict" the state.

Bill sponsor state Rep. Greg Harris is considering an override, saying the plan offers protection for those needing care.

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The bill is HB4351.