Workers helping disabled need, deserve raise

The way our state treats individuals with disabilities is an important topic to me. I support my adult son with disabilities, and I have worked for 16 years with persons with developmental disabilities.

Disabled individuals in our state don't get the best. My employer, which supports persons with disabilities, is constantly understaffed because of low state funding for these services.

I am paid so poorly that just basic living expenses leave me in the red. I have to work overtime to meet my financial obligations. Even though I work more than full time I sometimes have to use emergency food pantries.

Both disabled individuals and workers like me who support them could live with more dignity if the state made us a priority.

The state legislature did its part by passing House Bill 5931 to set a base wage of $15 an hour for disability workers. That would create a more stable workforce and better quality of care. I ask the governor to sign HB 5931.

Gloria Hickey

Lombard