The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Families of children with disabilities struggle to find care amid nationwide labor shortage

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
Morgan Quigley, 16, dribbles a basketball outside his home in Villa Grove while playing with his home caregiver Alyssa Mariasy, 26, on a Sunday afternoon. Mariasy, who has been caring for Morgan for two months, is part of his almost constant care.

Morgan Quigley, 16, dribbles a basketball outside his home in Villa Grove while playing with his home caregiver Alyssa Mariasy, 26, on a Sunday afternoon. Mariasy, who has been caring for Morgan for two months, is part of his almost constant care. Farrah Anderson/Illinois Newsroom

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • Abortion will still be legal in the state of Illinois if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal protections enshrined by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

  • Many of the Republican candidates for Illinois governor are supporting the possible rollback of Roe v. Wade — with one notable exception. 

  • Urbana School District 116 is debating whether to keep police officers in its schools for another three years.

  • The Champaign City Council has given final approval for private security to patrol the downtown area on weekends for the rest of this year.

In today's deep dive, we’ll look at the struggle some families face to find care workers with special skills to support their children with disabilities.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Faris, Tim Shelley, Emily Hays and Farrah Anderson.