Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – An estimated 200 union members rallied on the east side of the Capitol Wednesday in favor of a bill to allow school support staff to apply for unemployment benefits during the summer.

“Hardworking public school employees are put out of work between terms!” said Pat Devaney, secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

Karl Goeke, president of the Illinois Education Association, said the employees he’s talking about make things go, giving this example: “A cafeteria worker can spot a student sitting by themselves and make an extra effort to connect,” Goeke said, his voice rising. “These people make a difference in the lives of students, and we want them to! We need them to!”

Jill Scarcelli, a library aide from Shorewood, said, “We come together to educate our legislators. We need lawmakers to understand the inequity and the huge burden put on school support staff to go without pay over the summer.”