SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Service Employees International Union (SEIU) alongside Illinois Democrats hope to raise the senior care workers minimum wage from $18 to $20.
The Community Care Program (CCP) allows 120,000 Illinoisan seniors to live in their homes instead of nursing facilities according to SEIU. The program pays home care workers to help seniors in their homes to cook, clean and all manner of household chores that become harder with age.
There is a workforce crisis in the senior care industry, with advocates saying their former workers loved the job, but couldn't support their families on the low wage they receive. Decatur senior Diana Inman said her life becomes much harder for her and her family when a care worker isn't available.
"My home care worker assists me with everything from transportation to appointments, housekeeping and preparing meals," Inman said. "Many times, the home care agencies fail to send replacements if my regular caregiver isn't available. That means my daughter and granddaughter have to drop everything to help me."
The bills minimum wage increases from $18 to $20 hopes to alleviate some of the pain. It has received a fair amount of support from both Senate and House Democrats. Both the Senate and House bill are in committee, where lawmakers could talk about it in the near future.
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