Harper Demands Fair Wages for In-Home Care Workers Caring for Elderly, Disabled

CHICAGO – To help put Illinois home care workers who care for the state’s most vulnerable residents on a path towards a living wage, state Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, is pushing legislation that would establish a $15 minimum wage for Community Care Program workers.

“The people who dedicate their lives to providing the very best care for our seniors also deserve a helping hand so they can live happy lives,” said Harper. “That means paying them a fair and livable wage for the great work they do each and every day.”

Harper’s House Bill 5609 increases the hourly wage rate for Illinois’ Community Care Program (CCP) workers to $15 an hour by 2021. The current average wage for in-home workers is $10.98 an hour. The Community Care Program provides in-home care services that allow elderly or disabled residents to remain independently in their homes, rather than being forced into expensive nursing home care.

A rate increase for these workers was supposed to take effect following the passing of last year’s balanced budget, but Gov. Rauner is now threatening to block that increase, hoping to dismantle the CCP and reduce the employee count.

“If we want to attract and retain professionals who provide top-rate care to our community’s most vulnerable senior citizens, we need to pay them fairly,” said Harper. “It’s clear that the governor refuses to support public employees who help seniors and others who rely on this care. It sends the message that we don’t value the quality of care that our neighbors receive. While Rauner wants to play political games and attack the workers and agencies that save lives, I will continue to support the people who selflessly spend their time caring for those in our community who need it the most.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood and Marquette Park.