Unions are targeting thousands of Illinois in-home care providers — many of whom are parents of those with developmental disabilities — for membership.

The move comes after a change in that state’s law which now allows “individual providers of home-based support services” to organize.

About 3,000 people in Illinois are paid by the state to provide in-home care to those with developmental disabilities. The unions see this new crop of potential members as a way to grow and say that organizing could provide caregivers increased wages and benefits.

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But many parents are skeptical. They question whether they would be asked to go on strike, leaving their own children to fend for themselves. Also, parents say that increased wages could actually mean the state has less funding to offer their children.

Caregivers in a dozen states have already unionized. Currently two unions — the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) — are competing to represent Illinois providers who will vote soon to select a union or to remain unorganized, reports The Chicago Tribune. To read more click here.

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