Illinois retirees, federal employees share concerns as shutdown drags into 6th day

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The debate over the government shutdown is happening almost 800 miles away. But the impacts of that shut down are very real for people in Illinois, like retiree Brian Innis.

“The social security issues, Medicare issues are top on my mind,” Innis said.

Unfortunately Innis just can’t get away from the shutdown. He is still receiving Medicare but if a problem comes up with his coverage no one is there to pick up the phone. He also likes to fly but shutdowns at FAA has him worried about overworked air traffic controllers.

But that’s not all.

“I am also a veteran, so all the VA stuff that you’re hearing about, that stands to affect me if I should have any problems that way. So you’re just getting hit from every angle,” Innis said.

Another failed senate vote on Monday is the latest sign this shut down might last a while. House speaker Mike Johnson told his GOP colleagues he wouldn’t schedule votes this week. Democrats are also standing firm in their demands to reverse.

In between those two sides are furloughed government employees.

“They are worried about how they’re going to pay their bills, how they’re going to pay for, you know, food and just the essential things while also going to work and dealing with the constant threats of removal, termination, like things like that,” Jason Anderson, Vice President for the AFL-CIO, said.

Anderson said his union views this shutdown as more than a battle over healthcare.

“This is partisan politics spilling over into the civilian workforce, and that’s never occurred before. These are new times, new changes, and it really has a lot of our employees just nervous about the future,” said Anderson.

Layoffs are the latest threat facing federal workers.

The director of the Office of Budget and Management Russell Vought promised to give workers the axe if negotiations stalled. He backed off that threat on Monday.

But Anderson says he isn’t confident things will stay that way.

“Russel Vought said he wants federal workers to wake up and trauma. And that’s what’s happened now,” Anderson said.

The senate is scheduled for another vote to potentially end the shut down Tuesday afternoon.