Taking a stand against home care cuts!

SEIU Healthcare members joined our allies in Chicago ADAPT for a 100-person rally in downtown Chicago on June 29th to protest cuts to the state's home care program. Following the rally, we marched to the intersection of Clark and Randolph Streets and sat down in protest, stopping traffic for nearly 40 minutes. The action was aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impact cuts will have on the over 80,000 seniors and people with disabilities whose independence and safety depend on the care they receive in their homes.  


"As a mother and a home care worker for nearly eight years, I've seen the important role home care has in the lives of Illinois families—and how important it is in keeping seniors and people with disabilities independent," explained SEIU Healthcare Board Chair and home care provider Flora Johnson. "My son has cerebral palsy. His life depends on the assistance he gets through the state's home care program. For lawmakers to even consider making deeper cuts to this vital care is heart wrenching." 

Over 34,000 people with disabilities and 50,000 seniors depend on the home care they receive through the state's Home Services and Community Care Programs. The budget passed by the General Assembly includes cuts and changes that will reduce the amount of care consumers can receive through the programs and make it harder for those in need to qualify for state-funded home care. 

"[The budget is] brutal and it's not even fiscally wise," said Mike Ervin of Chicago ADAPT. "We will not surrender ourselves to a life of inescapable poverty and institutionalization just because our leaders don't have the courage to demand and pass a responsible budget."

Members of SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana joined our allies in Chicago ADAPT, Access Living, Jane Addams Senior Caucus and the Progress Center for Independent Living to participate in the rally and protest.

We will continue to put pressure on state lawmakers until the budget crisis is resolved, and the future of quality care is protected once and for all.