SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Health care workers say 30,000 disabled Illinois residents who get in-home care will suffer because the state won’t pay extra for overtime.
A federal rule that took effect Jan. 1 makes home care workers eligible for time-and-a-half pay for work over 40 hours. But the state Department of Human Services will prohibit overtime after March 1 because of the state budget stalemate.
SEIU Healthcare Illinois and its 25,000 members say that will hurt patient care. Those needing extra attention will have to find additional help not readily available.
Rep. Carol Ammons (A’-munz) is a Democrat from Urbana. She says Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration is snubbing children and families.
Human Services spokeswoman Marianne Manko says the policy is necessary because of the money crunch.