SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To ensure home care recipients are receiving the quality services they deserve, state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, supported legislation that would give them the ability to select their providers.

“Home care allows seniors and disabled residents to comfortably live in their homes and remain members of their communities,” said Willis. “These vital services are critical to the health and well-being of our most vulnerable, and our home care system should be conducive to their needs.”

The Willis-backed Senate Bill 261 is an effort by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to allow home care recipients the ability to select who they want as their home care provider. The measure would also allow recipients to determine the schedule of their providers to reflect their specific needs. Earlier this year the Governor’s office set in place a policy that limited the services of home care providers with a 40 hour a week cap. If passed into law, Senate Bill 261 would take effect Jan. 1, 2017. The bill recently passed out of the General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s approval.

“Those who are disabled rely on home care services for some of their most basic needs and they should have a voice in who they want as providers,” said Willis. “The health of our most vulnerable depends on quality home care services and our policies should allow accessibility to those services, not limit them.”

Willis is in her second term as state Representative of the 77th District, which includes O’Hare Airport and portions of Addison, Bellwood, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and Wood Dale.

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