State Senator Omar Aquino led a measure through the Senate that calls on Illinois’ labor oversight boards to work together to streamline the resolution process at worksites involved in unfair labor complaint proceedings.

“Workers should not have to wait in limbo to find out the future of their livelihood,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Streamlining this process will give employees the answers they deserve so they don’t have to wait months for a resolution”

The Illinois Labor Relations Act lays out the rights public sector employees are entitled to in Illinois, including the right to form, join or assist a labor organization without fear of penalty, discrimination or retaliation. When a public employer or labor organization interferes with the exercise of rights provided under the ILRA, the employee, union or employer can file unfair labor practice charges with the labor board overseeing their sector. In recent years, labor unions representing public sector workers have seen wait times as long as 400 days on their unfair labor practice claims.

To shore up recruitment and retention in Illinois’ home care workforce, State Senator Omar Aquino stood with Service Employees International Union members to call for a dignified, living wage for in-home care providers at a rally at the Capitol Wednesday.

“Home care is critical to keeping our parents and grandparents healthy and in their homes,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “We want to make sure that no matter where you live in Illinois, there is high-quality care available in every community.”

Illinois’ Community Care Program allows seniors to receive care and community-based services in their own homes. Thanks to the program, over 50,000 Illinois seniors are able to receive in-home care every month, allowing them to live independently without the need to move to a more restrictive setting like a nursing facility.

State Senator Omar Aquino passed a measure through the Senate Friday to remove timeline barriers to licensing for new architects in Illinois.

“By incorporating recommendations adopted at the federal level, we are aligning architecture licensing standards while removing barriers that have an inequitable impact on applicants from different backgrounds,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Removing the five-year cap will expand inclusivity and diversity within the profession and contribute to the growth of the field for future architects in Illinois.”

Last year, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards retired a licensing standard known as the “rolling clock policy” that required individuals seeking licensure to successfully complete all six divisions of the standard Architect Registration Examination within five years of passing the first exam division. After five years, exam results would be rendered invalid and individuals seeking licensure would have to start the exam process over. Among other factors, this timeline has resulted in an increased rate of prospective licensees abandoning the process — especially those from disparately impacted populations.

State Senator Omar Aquino, standing alongside Service Employees International Union members, pushed for a wage increase for home care workers in Illinois at a rally Wednesday.

“When I worked for the Community Care Program, I witnessed firsthand the impact of home care workers on seniors’ ability to live an independent and dignified life,” expressed Aquino to advocates gathered in the Capitol rotunda. “You all provide dignified work—you should earn a dignified pay.”

Aquino joined hundreds of home care workers rallying together to speak on the need to increase wages for home care workers who provide essential personal assistance and health care support to thousands of seniors and people with disabilities across the state.