Wage increase for Community Care workers heads to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois House has approved a measure that would increase wages for the hundreds of thousands of workers who care for seniors.

The proposal sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jaime Andrade would raise wages of Community Care Program workers to $15 hourly over four years. Under the plan the House approved Thursday wages would increase by at least $1.25 annually for three years and by at least $1 in the fourth year.

The plan now goes to the Senate.

House lawmakers on Wednesday approved Senate measures that would increase base salaries for home care and child care workers under SEIU Healthcare Illinois.

A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner says a pay hike for home care workers would cost $87 million more annually and mean cuts to other important programs.