This week, Personal Assistants for people with disabilities held press conferences and actions in Carbondale, Rockford, Peoria, Chicago, Springfield, and Champaign to denounce Governor Rauner’s plan to appeal the Court’s decision regarding our 48-cent raises.

On March 13, a Cook County Judge sided with our union, ruling that Governor Rauner broke the law by refusing to release our 48-cent raises and our back pay that’s owed since August 5, 2017. The Judge ordered that Rauner pay it out by March 21, 2018. Unfortunately, the Rauner administration asked the Judge to stay the Court’s ruling pending appeal – meaning our back pay and the implementation of our raises will be delayed again.

While we are ready to keep up the fight in court, PAs are also committed to keeping the pressure on in our communities. Check out photos and media coverage from the powerful events that took place this week below!

Carbondale-area caregivers were joined by Marsha Griffin, who is running for state representative.

KFVS-TV and WSIU Public Radio covered the Carbondale press conference. Click here for the WSIU story. 

Rockford PAs teamed up with State Representative Litesa Wallace to get their message out.

The Rockford press conference was covered by both WIFR-TV and WQRF/WTVO-TV. Click here and here to check out those stories. 

Tim Sommer is a PA for his son, Seaver, and they both spoke out in Peoria, along with local caregivers Amanda Goodwin and Charimain Terrell.

WEEK-TV covered the press conference in Peoria, click here to view that coverage. 

In Chicago, PAs and people with disabilities in the Home Services Program delivered over 1500 petition signatures demanding the release of our 48-cent raises.

Ginger Grant and Richard Osby led a press conference in Champaign, surrounded by fellow caregivers impacted by the governor’s appeal.Check out coverage from WCIA-TV, WICS-TV, and WILL Public Radio in Champaign here, here, and here.