Rauner vetoes prohibition on private prison health workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation prohibiting the Illinois Department of Corrections from hiring private health care workers.

Rauner vetoed the measure Friday. He says it's unnecessary because his administration signed an agreement May 22 with the Illinois Nurses Association about subcontracting for nurses.

Rauner told 124 nurses in April that they'd be laid off. At the time, he said they would be replaced by a private contractor's staff. Rauner and the nurses have been unable to reach a contract agreement for two years.

Carlinville Republican William "Sam" McCann sponsored the bill. He says concerns remain about future private health care contracting. He will consider seeking a legislative override.

Proponents of the legislation say a nursing shortage is already problematic for the prisons.

___

The bill is SB19 .