Greenwood Sponsors Measure to Increase Minimum Wage for Homecare Workers

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Helping to ensure homecare workers are paid a fair and living wage, state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, is sponsoring a legislative measure to gradually increase the wage for homecare workers to $15 per hour over a period of four years.

“Homecare workers help to ensure our seniors, the disabled and individuals with limited mobility are comfortable and taken care of inside of their homes,” said Greenwood. “I believe it is important we value the selfless work that goes into homecare by ensuring homecare workers are paid a fair and living wage to provide for themselves and their families.”

Greenwood’s House Bill 5609 is an initiative of SEIU Healthcare and would gradually increase the wage of homecare workers over the next four years to $15 per hour. If passed into law, homecare workers would see a $1 increase every year beginning in July of 2018 through July of 2021. Prior to the passage of last year’s budget, which increased wages by $0.72, homecare workers had not seen a wage increase in seven years. Under Governor Rauner’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2019, the Community Care Program, which funds homecare workers, would see an 11 percent decrease in funding which could prevent a wage increase for homecare workers.

“I disagree with the governor’s proposal to cut funding for the Community Care Program and prevent a wage increase for homecare workers,” said Greenwood. “I will continue fighting on behalf of homecare workers throughout our state, and I commend my colleagues for joining me in supporting an important piece of legislation.”

House Bill 5609 is currently assigned to the House Appropriations-Human Services committee and awaits to be called for a vote.