Latest news with #IllinoisPartnersforHumanService
Chicago Tribune
23-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: We weep for the loss of Pope Francis
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, or St. Francis of Asissi, who was born in the 12th century and died in the 13th, found his incarnation in the pope who adopted his name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was born in the 20th century and died in the 21st. True to the faith of his predecessor from eight centuries ago, Pope Francis began his papacy with simplicity, dedicating his life and position to serve the impoverished and embracing St. Francis' love for all of God's creation. He didn't publicly renounce worldly possessions, but he subtly displayed his rejection of them. His conduct toward people who were sick and disabled was proof of his dedication to those afflicted by life's most difficult trials and tribulations. He maintained a well-known opposition to authoritarians and despots who advocated conflict and division. On April 21, 2025, quoting John 11:35: Jesus wept. — James D. Cook, Schaumburg Pope was guiding light The whole world, not just the Catholic community, has lost the only genuine world leader of our lifetime. Not recognizing such an immense loss is at our own peril. Pope Francis, whom Argentina gave to the global Catholic community, left a legacy of humility, service, mercy, compassion and moral strength, particularly through his persistent and outspoken advocacy for social, political and economic justice across the continents. Francis' guiding light, especially during dark times affecting people across the planet, gave hope and vision for a better world, not just to those of us who are Catholic but also to everybody. Let us all hope that the morality, integrity and ethics that characterize Francis' legacy serve as fundamental standards by which all of us, and especially our leaders in our communities and nations, will be measured in the years, months, weeks and days to come. — Alejandro Lugo, Park Forest Strengthen safety net Illinois' human service workers are the backbone of our communities — providing essential care, support and stability to those who need it most. Yet, for too long, these dedicated professionals have been underpaid and undervalued. The op-ed 'Here's why human service workers deserve better pay' (April 17) in support of our counterparts at the Illinois Partners for Human Service highlights the urgent need for legislative action to ensure fair reimbursement rates for human service organizations. Without adequate funding, these organizations struggle to offer competitive wages, leading to high turnover and service disruptions that ultimately harm our most vulnerable neighbors. At the Chicago Alliance for Collective Effort (CACE), a coalition of more than 50 of the most highly effective, mission-driven human service organizations in Chicago, we stand in full support of this call to action. We urge Illinois lawmakers to prioritize legislation that uplifts human service workers and strengthens the vital safety nets our communities rely on. It's time to invest in the people who invest in us every day. — Kara Teeple, chairwoman, Chicago Alliance for Collective Effort (CACE) Reading for lawmakers Thank you to Democratic lawmakers in Illinois working on state laws to counter the Trump administration's corruption and inhumanity. Regarding GOP lawmaker objections, I remind them that the Tribune historically has leaned conservative, and I suggest that reading it will enable them to stay abreast of state concerns. Specifically: To Sen. Terri Bryant who asserts that President Donald Trump's orders on domestic energy resources are on track, I direct her to the April 14 article ' Trump's love affair with dirty coal can't compete with market realities.' To Rep. Dan Ugaste who objects to sensible state-level cryptocurrency regulations, I direct him to the April 14 editorial ' The federal financial cop is off the beat. Fraudsters are lurking, so don't fall prey.' For Sen. Sue Rezin, who worries that Illinois will lose federal funding by crossing Trump, I observe that Attorney General Kwame Raoul is taking legal action to ensure Illinois receives the funding it is due. See, for example, the April 13 editorial ' Leave libraries alone. They more than pay their way. ' My question for GOP lawmakers is this: What happened to Illinois Republicans who defended states' rights? The GOP is far too busy defending Trump from well-informed perspectives, such as those published by the Tribune. — Lisa Jean Walker, Irving Park, Chicago Government spending A Tribune reader had a long letter about reducing our federal debt ('Reduction of debt,' April 21). I could say more, but I will leave it at one comment. The letter writer thinks we should reduce the tax cuts, the ones President Donald Trump pushed before and new ones that Trump is promoting now. My wife and I live on Social Security and very modest pensions, and those tax cuts were a godsend. No, the debt problem is a spending problem. Entirely. Illinois and Chicago have the same problem. Politicians, honestly almost entirely Democrats, want to spend as much money as they possibly can. Maybe they think that will help them win elections, or maybe they think that is their job. But, no, the government gets enough of our money. It needs to control its spending. — Larry Craig, Wilmette Choosing dishonor I'd like to amplify George Galland's April 16 op-ed ('Kirkland & Ellis and others have made a deal with the devil') about 'Big Law' capitulating to Donald Trump. By yielding to Trump's pressure — essentially acquiescing to blackmail — to preserve their federal security clearances under the self-serving and embarrassing pretense of 'serving their clients,' these firms have severely undermined their credibility with both current and future clients, as well as with the general public. If they are willing to compromise their legal independence — the very foundation of the profession — once, what's to stop Trump or any future administration from demanding further concessions? What's to stop a compromised Justice Department attorney (and under current leadership, the department is indeed compromised) from quietly suggesting to a Big Law attorney that they rethink a motion, alter a strategy or even drop a client altogether? To paraphrase words attributed to Winston Churchill: 'They were given the choice between dishonor and war. They chose dishonor, and they will have war.' — John Brofman, Oak Park Hurting rule of law George Galland is correct about Kirkland & Ellis' 'deal' with President Donald Trump's administration. The rule of law is undermined when lawyers agree to be a part of a political shakedown that they know to be unconstitutional.
Chicago Tribune
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
State representatives: Here's why human service workers in Illinois deserve better pay
Front-line human service workers are the backbone of a compassionate society. Most often employed by nonprofit organizations, they provide critical care and support that help people thrive, maintain independence, and navigate daily stressors and crises. These professionals include home and health care workers, licensed counselors, social workers, after-school care providers, case managers for refugee families and homeless outreach workers. More than helpers, they are lifelines. Yet, due to inadequate public funding and alarmingly low wages, these 'essential' workers are pushed to the brink. Despite the vital nature of their work, front-line human service workers in Illinois and across the nation are underpaid and undervalued. The portion of Illinois' general revenue fund allocated to human services is 25% lower than it was 27 years ago. Chronic underfunding depresses wages, threatening not just the workers but also the essential services that safeguard the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans. The economic impact of the human services sector cannot be overstated. In 2016, it equaled $4.5 billion in Illinois. Adjusted for inflation, that figure should have risen to $5.6 billion by 2023. Yet, service providers struggle with stagnant government reimbursement rates that fail to keep pace with rising costs. Reimbursement rates that determine how much the government repays nonprofit organizations providing human services have been woefully inadequate, leaving organizations with a funding gap that has devastating consequences: service reductions, high turnover and professionals working long hours for wages barely above minimum wage. The impact is real — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago recently walked away from 75 government contracts totaling $24 million because the actual costs on the organization amounted to $36 million, resulting in 300 eliminated positions. The instability driven by inadequate government reimbursement rates must end. That is why we are championing the Support Living Wages, Thriving Communities resolution (HR151 / SR123) to demand fair pay for front-line human service workers. The reality for many workers in this sector is stark, a truth deeply understood by those with experience on the front lines. We have worked in the human services sector — Rep. Avelar providing legal assistance to low-income immigrants and Rep. LaPointe in case management and homeless street outreach — and we understand firsthand the financial struggles front-line workers face. A survey released in 2024 by Illinois Partners for Human Service found that 82% of human service workers do not earn a living wage; 56% struggle to afford housing, and 50% have difficulty affording food. Among single-income households with children — most of whom are women — 92% do not earn a living wage. Those who dedicate themselves to caring for others should not have to choose between paying rent, buying groceries or seeking medical care. Without increased government funding, we risk losing a significant portion of our human service workforce to higher-paying industries. Two-thirds of surveyed workers have considered leaving due to financial stress. If they leave, who will care for aging parents, provide therapy to children in crisis or support individuals with disabilities? These services are not luxuries; they are necessities. As elected officials, we have a duty to advocate for increased state funding for human services and higher wages for front-line workers. Reimbursement rates, state grants, contracts and minimum overhead allowances must keep pace with rising costs. Furthermore, state funding must allow human service employers to pay a livable wage with annual cost-of-living adjustments, without increasing caseloads or reducing services. This is not just a workers' rights issue — it is a looming societal crisis. The 2015-2017 Illinois budget impasse under Gov. Bruce Rauner devastated human service providers, slashing support for nearly 1 million residents and causing widespread job losses. Those cuts disproportionately harmed low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities. While today's crisis has been a slow and sometimes invisible simmer, primarily borne by underpaid essential workers, we refuse to repeat past mistakes. Investing in human services is fundamental to our collective future. The struggles of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others cannot be ignored. Action must be taken now. With fair wages and adequate funding, we can build a stronger, more resilient Illinois — one that truly values the well-being of every individual. State Rep. Dagmara 'Dee' Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, represents the 85th District, and Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, represents the 19th District.
