Quincy Reporter

Eligible in-home care providers in Illinois could soon see an increase in pay thanks to money included in Gov. J.B. Pritzker's (D-IL) state budget for fiscal years 2021 and 2022, but one state lawmaker is "frustrated" over the worker shortage in the state.

Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) pointed out the state's unemployment rate currently sits at 22%. She says many people are not returning to the workforce after the pandemic shutdown because they can make more money through unemployment benefits.

"If you look anywhere, all employers are looking for a workforce," Tracy told the Quincy Reporter. "That's where the focus should be, along with making sure that child care needs are being met."

Tracy expressed the need to focus on getting the economy back up and running in full-swing.

"Right now, we've got people who make more to stay home. That's a backwards way to build the economy," she said.

She also believes the money being spent on raises for qualifying in-home care providers could be better spent elsewhere.

"I think spending more on helping the mentally ill and on disabled programs would be a better idea," Tracy said. "His [Pritzker's] priorities are a little different from mine, but I think if you want to help Illinois that would be a better way."

According to a release on the state's website, the pay increase for eligible in-home care providers would be a $54 million investment. 

Providers would receive additional money from the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and the Department of Human Services to boost their pay rate to a minimum of $15 per hour starting January 1, 2022 according to the same release.

Illinois.gov also noted in-home service providers within the Illinois Department on Aging's Community Care Program saw their pay increase to $23.40 an hour as of April 1.