Senate votes to raise wages for disability services workers as coalition pushes Rauner to address community care workforce crisis

DSPs DELIVERED MORE THAN 7,000 POSTCARDS TO GOV. RAUNER.

The coalition gathered at the state Capitol on May 10 to push for higher wages for direct support personnel (DSPs) who work for private, non-profit agencies that contract with the state of Illinois to serve disabled individuals.

SB 955, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans, and HB 2960, sponsored by Rep. Robyn Gabel, aim to raise the reimbursement rate the state pays to provider agencies for the first time in nine years and requires those funds to be used to raise employee pay.

“After 15 years I make less than $12 an hour—or less than $25,000 a year—for full-time work,” said Christine Rivera, who currently works as a DSP in a group home. “A wage increase would help decrease turnover rates. I’m really struggling and like others I am forced to consider leaving work that I am extremely passionate about.”

More than 34,000 DSPs support 27,000 individuals with disabilities across Illinois. But because DSPs are paid just $9.35 an hour—below the poverty line for a family of three—provider agencies are unable to retain or hire adequate staff. As a result, dedicated DSPs are unable to provide for their families and quality of care for individuals with disabilities suffers due to high staff turnover.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS, A DSP AND VICE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 2515 (MILESTONE IN ROCKFORD) SPEAKS WITH SEN. STEVE STADELMAN OF THE 34TH DISTRICT.

After the General Assembly last year passed a bill to raise wages to $15 an hour, Governor Rauner vetoed it, claiming that DSP wages should be addressed as part of a comprehensive state budget. However, Rauner’s FY18 budget introduced in February included no such increase.

“When Governor Rauner vetoed legislation to raise DSP wages it was an insult to both DSPs and the people we serve,” Rivera said. “Passing this critical legislation would solve the problem of staff shortages and would provide fair compensation for a tough and responsible job.”

As a consequence of the state’s failure to pay adequate wages, a federal court monitor has found the Illinois Department of Human Services is out of compliance with the Ligas consent decree that ensures people with developmental disabilities can access the services and supports they need in the setting they choose.

“Thousands of positions go unfilled every day because of the abysmal reimbursement rates we’ve received from the state for a decade,” said Kim Zoeller, Executive Director of Ray Graham Association.

“Daniel leads a vulnerable life,” parent Charlotte Cronin said of her 31-year-old son. “He cannot talk. He is incontinent. He has poor motor skills. He has huge behavioral challenges. When Daniel is upset, he bites and scratches. He can really hurt you.

“Direct support professionals that care for Daniel and others like him have amazing skills. They deserve much, much better.”