Commentary: SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), representing community providers of services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses, today issued the following statement after the final state budget proposal was acted on by the Illinois Legislature:
“We offer a sincere and important thank you to state legislators and Gov. Pritzker’s Administration for supporting another state budget that provides wage increases to workers who support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and invests in psychiatric services for persons with serious mental illnesses in the Medicaid program.
Illinois has taken important steps forward in recent years to increase wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The new state budget will mark another step forward with a $1-an-hour increase in DSP wage rates.
Due to the support of the Legislature, we’re seeing staffing levels improve throughout the state. This budget will keep us on the path outlined in the Guidehouse report for parity with the state’s minimum wage that will increase to $15 next January, and that will allow us to compete against the wage packages offered by restaurants, retailers and others in the marketplace.
We understand state resources are scarce, and that is why we thank the legislators who stepped up during final budget negotiations to ensure this investment is a priority. We will continue this momentum to provide the critical support for our shared goal: helping all with disabilities and mental illnesses receive the quality care and services they need for meaningful lives.”
Josh Evans
President and CEO
Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
Springfield
