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Overtime Cap for Illinois Home Care Workers Takes Effect May 1

April 28, 2016

Working overtime will be prohibited for Illinois home care workers in the state’s Home Services Program (HSP) beginning May 1.

The administration of Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) introduced the cap on overtime hours last year; it was originally scheduled to take effect March 1 but was delayed by the state.

Rauner has said that the cap will save the state up to $7 million — a necessary cutback, he argues, since the state has been operating without a budget since last summer.

Advocates, however, say that the overtime policy hurts low-wage HSP workers and the people with disabilities who rely on them for necessary care.

“Instead of thinking of ways to properly stack services for people with disabilities, the Rauner administration is finding new ways to cut services and create confusion,” said Illinois State Rep. Litesa Wallace (D).

Wallace organized an April 25 press conference in which HSP workers, consumers, and advocates addressed the upcoming overtime cap. 

“I understand this state has budget woes, but $7 million is a drop in the bucket,” HSP consumer John Biondi told reporters at the press conference.

Beginning May 1, HSP workers will not allowed to work more than 35 hours a week, plus an additional five hours of travel time. Workers who violate the cap three times could be fired.

— by Matthew Ozga

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