(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — People who care for people with developmental disabilities have said they are due for a raise of $3 per hour.
State senators on Wednesday heard about the bill, as committee chair Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) questioned Kim Zoeller of the Ray Graham Association, a service provider.
“You can rearrange things in order to provide additional funding if you need to,” said the senator. “I just want to clarify that there is nothing in law that requires you to wait a full 18 months before you can do another wage increase.”
Zoeller admitted that Gillespie was correct, but she argued the reliance that groups like hers have on the state makes wage increases difficult.
“When — I think all community organizations are very similar in nature to ours — when about 80% – 85% of your budget relies on the General Assembly, while it’s not prohibited, it’s impossible.”
A state-commissioned study issues a guideline that workers be paid 150% of the minimum wage.
The sponsor, State Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), said with the next increase in the minimum wage in January, the pay would be 130%.
No vote has been taken on Villa’s bill.
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