The Illinois Senate is voting to give home care workers a raise.
Workers in the state's Community Care Program make about 11 dollars an hour. Senator Mattie Hunter of Chicago is sponsoring the bill bringing them up to nearly 20 dollars an hour starting July first, saying they play a vital role in caring for the elderly.
Hunter says under her legislation, wages would increase by one dollar per hour until they reach about 25 dollars an hour in 2021.
Senator Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove wonders how the state will cover the more than 800 million dollar price tag.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.