Hernandez’s New Law Expands Access to Care for People with Disabilities

CICERO, Ill. –  More family members will be able to serve as caregivers for people with disabilities under a new law enacted by state Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, expanding eligibility and benefits for in-home personal assistants.

“Family of people with disabilities know all too well that care is often incomplete, leaving them unable to best tend to their loved ones,” Hernandez said. “To make matters worse, our laws didn’t give families the flexibility to meet this need. But this legislation moves us in a better direction, allowing families to step in, provide care, and receive the benefits they deserve.” 

Hernandez’s Senate Bill 505 creates new, expanded criteria for people with disabilities to receive quality home care and assistance. Current law permits only spouses to serve in an official personal assistant capacity. However, Hernandez’s legislation includes guardians, siblings, kin, and parents, giving families greater latitude to meet their unique care needs. Furthermore, the legislation opens up benefits received as a personal assistant to those who now qualify. 

The measure was signed into law earlier this month. 

“This legislation is only the beginning of our collective efforts to improve standards of care across the board,” Hernandez said. “I am thankful to Governor Pritzker for signing this legislation into law and helping us take this great step forward.”

For more information, please contact office@repehernandez.com.