ROCKFORD, IL [May 15, 2025] — Goldie B. Floberg Center is sounding the alarm on a critical issue buried within Governor J.B. Pritzker’s proposed state budget: while it promises a $0.50 per hour raise for direct support professionals (DSPs), it simultaneously slashes essential support service hours, potentially endangering the lives and well-being of Illinoisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“This isn’t just a budget concern—it’s a human concern,” said John Pingo, President and Chief Executive at Goldie B. Floberg Center. “The math doesn’t lie: we’d gain $130,000 in DSP wage increases but lose $147,800 in support hours. When accounting for added costs like overtime, we’re looking at a net loss of over $145,000.”
The impact is not merely financial—it’s deeply personal. Take Tom, a nonverbal, blind man who relies on full assistance for hygiene, mobility, meals, and appointments. Under a similar proposal last year (ultimately reversed after public backlash), Tom would have lost nearly $23,000 in services—more than any other client—despite his high level of need. Disturbingly, the state’s method for calculating these service hour allocations is completely opaque. “We’ve asked repeatedly, but we still don’t know how the formula works,” said Pingo. “This lack of transparency prevents effective planning and erodes trust in our state systems.”
Goldie Floberg is calling on the Rockford community and all Illinois residents to speak out. “We support raising DSP wages—they deserve it. But not at the cost of slashing critical care hours. The state should not solve its fiscal challenges by sacrificing the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens.”
About Goldie B. Floberg Center
Goldie Floberg provides residential and support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to live dignified, inclusive lives in their communities. With decades of advocacy and care experience, Goldie B. Floberg Center is a cornerstone of support for families across Northern Illinois.