WATCH: Legislation would increase the pay for in-home health services workers | Illinois

(The Center Square) – Workers in the Illinois Department of Aging’s Community Care Program are calling for higher taxes to pay for higher wages.

The program, established in 1979, assists older adults who might otherwise need nursing home care to remain in their homes by providing non-medical in-home and community-based services.

Legislation has been introduced in House Bill 1330 that would require each in-home service provider to spend a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for services on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. The measure would create a minimum wage of at least $20 an hour for in-home workers.  

“By providing good-paying union jobs, we can build a workforce our seniors need to age with their security and dignity in their own home in their communities,” Jenny Smith, an in-home health care worker from Champaign County, said during a news conference Tuesday. 

Those eligible for the program must be 60 years or older, either U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and have non-exempt assets of $17,500 or less. 

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, the sponsor of the legislation, said every time a care worker leaves the industry because of low wages, the crisis gets more dangerous for seniors. 

“The solution is investing in care workers to stabilize the care workforce,” said Canty. “We need to invest in care by raising wages for home care workers.”

As for funding the raises, Erica Bland, executive director of SEIU HealthCare, said care work makes all other work possible, so it is time for big companies to step up.

“Major corporations rely on the care economy to ensure that their workers show up for work everyday,” said Bland. “They can’t have a free ride. They need to pay their fair share. When corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share, we can all succeed.”