They deserve more… Illinoisans with developmental disabilities AND those who care for them.

The Illinois General Assembly remains in special session as legislators continue to negotiate an annual budget. We must act now to ensure that any budget bill passed by the House provides adequate revenue to address the near-decade-long neglect of disability services. Contact your State Representative and urge them to support a budget that provides a living wage for those who care for children and adults with disabilities.

Over the past several decades, thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities have moved from their family homes, foster homes or state institutions into group homes, where they have been able to achieve more productive and fulfilling lives. But they must have support and assistance for everything from eating, bathing and administering medication to job and life-skills training like money management, meal preparation and reading.

That support comes from caregivers – direct support professionals (DSPs) – whose wages are below the federal poverty level. Illinois state funding for wages stalled nine years ago at about $9 an hour – among the worst in the country!