SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois House member has returned fire in what Gov. Bruce Rauner’s staff calls Democrats’ “sexist smear campaign” against the administration’s education adviser.

Chicago Democratic Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (FY’-ghin-holts) told colleagues on a House appropriations committee Tuesday that the Republican governor’s proposed cuts in daycare services are “ultimately the biggest act of sexism.”

Rauner representatives labeled Democrats sexist last week when the committee reviewed the $250,000-a-year contract for education czar Beth Purvis. It’s funded by the Department of Human Services’ budget — a target of Rauner spending cuts.

Purvis appeared before the committee this time to explain her role in improving Illinois’ development of children from “cradle to career.” Feigenholtz says cutting daycare runs counter to that goal.

The committee chairman says the administration will respond to outstanding questions.