Illinois Senate Approves $15 Hourly Wage For Developmental Disability Direct Support Care Professionals

On May 10, 2017, the Illinois State Senate approved a bill that would raise wages to $15 per hour for direct support professionals (DSPs) caring for people with intellectual/and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 0955, is now under consideration by the House. SB 0955 amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. It directs the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to “establish reimbursement rates which build toward livable wages” for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with I/DD . . .