Illinois health and human service advocates launch Week of Action for Living Wages, Thriving Communities

The Living Wages, Thriving Communities Week of Action is set to begin Monday, April 21.

Organized by Illinois Partners for Human Service, the weeklong campaign aims to spotlight the vital role of the human services workforce—and the need for immediate legislative action to ensure fair compensation and long-term sustainability. Beginning Monday in Chicago, the the Week of Action will make its way south to Springfield to advocate directly to the General Assembly for supportive legislation on Wednesday, April 23.

The Living Wages, Thriving Communities campaign describes itself as “a growing movement to ensure fair pay and economic justice for human care workers in Illinois.” The campaign connects frontline staff in state health and human service agencies with nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and community advocates to in order to address systemic wage inequity, and to secure sustainable funding for their agencies.

“I believe that strong and healthy families are one of the many pillars of a community that thrives,” said Natisha Shockley, Senior Training Coach at New Moms, one of several dozen organizations statewide coordinating with the campaign. “As a direct service provider and community member, it’s equally important that I receive a living wage where I too have the financial resources to create generational wealth for my daughter and her future family.”

“Human service workers—many of whom are women of color—have carried our communities through crisis after crisis, often while being underpaid and overlooked. These women are not just workers; they are the pillars of care, stability, and progress in our neighborhoods,” said State Senator Graciela Guzmán. “I’m proud to stand with them and support the Living Wages, Thriving Communities campaign. It’s time we recognize their value with policies that reflect justice, equity, and respect.”

The Week of Action will kick off with a press conference on Monday, April 21 at 12:00 PM at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago (4251 W. Irving Park Rd.), where frontline workers, nonprofit leaders, and lawmakers will gather to call for investment in essential community services, as well as policy solutions that protect both the people who provide these services and the communities that depend on them.

Week of Action Schedule:

• Monday, April 21: Kickoff press conference at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

• Tuesday, April 22: Statewide social media blitz and witness slip drive: https://bit.ly/hs-epa

• Wednesday, April 23: Public hearing in Springfield, IL

• Thursday, April 24:Legislator phone banking

• Friday, April 25: Celebration of frontline human service workers