SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes joined members of the Service Employees International Union at a press conference Wednesday to advocate for higher wages under a new legislative initiative.

“Being a longtime advocate for SEIU has shown me that our home care workers deserve a living wage and deserve to know that Illinois has their back,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Creating a way to incentivize a high-quality home care workforce leads to better outcomes for our residents and provides our SEIU workers with an avenue to a living wage that grows with their experience and essential work.”

Illinois’ Community Care Program allows seniors to receive care and community-based services in their own homes. Thanks to the program, over 100,000 Illinois seniors are able to receive in-home care, allowing them to live independently without the need to move to a more restrictive setting like a nursing home or institution. Currently, only 77% of CCP rates paid by the state go toward employee wages, resulting in a current minimum wage of $17 per hour and leading workers to call on lawmakers to address the low wages fueling the home care workforce shortage.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes passed a bill in the Senate to expand real estate licensing in Illinois to brokers licensed in another state.

“To modernize our real estate practices in Illinois, this legislation would promote greater diversity in the market for many residents to utilize,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Allowing more brokers and managers from other states to operate in Illinois would benefit our residents and the businesses wanting to operate in our state.”

Senate Bill 3740 would require brokers and managing brokers licensed in another state who are applying for licensure in Illinois to follow specific guidelines to obtain licensure.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase counseling resources for families, State Senator Javier Cervantes passed a measure through the Senate that would allow out-of-state marriage and family therapists to obtain licensure in Illinois more easily.

“I am constantly hearing from constituents about the need for therapeutic resources to be more widely available,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This legislation would expand therapy options around the state and allow out-of-state counselors to bring their business and care to our residents without as much of a hassle.”

Senate Bill 3211 would allow the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue a license to a marriage and family therapist applicant has been licensed independently in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least 30 months during the last five years preceding the application. Applicants who meet this requirement would not have to submit proof of completion of education, professional experience, and supervision. An applicant would be required to submit certified verification of licensure from their previous jurisdiction.  

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes joined members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Raise The Floor Alliance in support of a new initiative to expand protections against worker retaliation based on an employee’s immigration status.

“Our families and loved ones shouldn’t have to work in fear,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Without protections, bosses can weaponize fear of termination or deportation to get workers to take on additional hours or work in unsafe conditions. Illinois needs to take a stance against bad employers so immigrant workers can have a safe, productive work environment, because that is a basic right.”

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights was formed in 1986 in response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act to be at the forefront of helping immigrants realize and contribute to America. Since then, ICIRR has played a pivotal role in establishing the nation’s first permanent line item in a state budget dedicated to immigrant services. ICIRR helps immigrant and refugee families with health care access, health and safety net services, education, legal support, social services and more.