Workers in the state’s community care program make about 11 dollars an hour. Senator mattie hunter of chicago is sponsoring the bill bringing them up to nearly 20 dollars an hour starting july first, saying they play a vital role in caring for the elderly.

Hunter says under her legislation, wages would increase by one dollar per hour until they reach about 25 dollars an hour in 2021. Opponents wonder how the state will afford the increases that are expected to cost the state more than 800 million dollars.