At last, an Illinois state budget!
A message about the Illinois state budget from the They Deserve More Coalition:
As you probably know, earlier this month, the Illinois House overrode the Governor’s veto and put a state budget into law that includes additional support addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This state budget provides an important first step in the right direction – a 75-cent per hour raise which will help providers get over the $10 mark with average starting wages for DSPs. But it is only a first step.
Your voices were instrumental in securing this badly needed support for those who care for people with disabilities. Legislators heard about this issue from providers, DSPs, and friends and family of people with disabilities like they never have before. Because of you, for the first time in nearly a decade, DSPs in Illinois will receive an increase in their average starting wages. But again, this is only a first step.
We appreciate the support that our state leaders included in this FY 18 budget. As we move forward, we hope that they will make good on their intention to make the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities a priority. That includes ensuring that we address the ongoing workforce crisis facing DSPs by funding a living and competitive wage of $15.00 per hour.
Thank you for taking part in this critical effort on behalf of our state’s most vulnerable citizens. Our work is far from over, but we have made important progress today.
Thank you,
The They Deserve More Coalition