CHICAGO, IL — Organized by Illinois Partners for Human Service, the Living Wages, Thriving Communities Week of Action is set to begin Monday, April 21. 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.
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.
“I believe that strong and healthy families are one of the many pillars of a community that thrives. I absolutely love partnering with young moms where they’re afforded a physical space to plan, dream and execute their goals,” said Natisha Shockley, Senior Training Coach at New Moms. “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.”
Campaign Demands Include:
- Increased funding for Human Services in the FY26 State Budget
- Support for the Living Wages, Thriving Communities Resolution (HR0151/SR0123)
- Investment in the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program (HB1588/SB1306)
- Support for the Human Services Equitable Pay Act (HB2695)
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
Dozens of community-based organizations across the state have pledged to take part.
Confirmed Partner Organizations Attending:
- New Moms
- SHPA (Supportive Housing Providers Association)
- Metropolitan Family Services
- HRDI (Human Resources Development Institute, Inc.)
- Instituto Del Progreso Latino
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity (BLACHE)
- Thresholds
About Living Wages, Thriving Communities
The Living Wages, Thriving Communities campaign is a growing movement to ensure fair pay and economic justice for human care workers in Illinois. It unites frontline staff, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and community advocates to address wage inequity rooted in systemic racism and sexism and secure sustainable funding for human services.
About Illinois Partners for Human Service
Illinois Partners is a statewide coalition of over 850 community-based organizations delivering essential services across all 102 counties of Illinois. From after-school programs to disability support and mental health care, their work ensures the stability and well-being of our communities.
For more information, visit: www.LivingWageIL.org
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