Catherwood LibraryILR School

In a decision that could have a huge impact on the lives of 20,000 state-employed home care workers in Illinois, recently elected Governor Rod Blagojevich has announced that the state will recognize the workers' union and begin negotiations over a contract. In the past the state had argued that the workers---who go to disabled patients' houses to take care of needs ranging from laundry to cooking---were independent contractors of the Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services and did not have un ion and collective bargaining rights. After three years of working without a raise, health insurance, or other benefits at seven dollars an hours, the workers still face an uphill battle as Governor Blagojevich has made it clear that the state's $5 billion budget deficit will figure large in the upcoming negotiations with Service Employees International Union Local 880.