Hello fellow developmental disabilities services advocates!

Issue – Community Disability Living Wage Act (Version SB 580) Under Consideration During Lame Duck
Today and tomorrow the 99th General Assembly is holding lame duck legislative session ahead of the inauguration of the 100th General Assembly on Wednesday, January 11. During this session, it is possible the General Assembly may take up Senate Bill 580, a new version of the coalition bill that would increase the living wage for direct support professionals (DSPs).

SB 580, sponsored by House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie and Senate President John Cullerton, includes the same language as HB 5931, the original DSP living wage bill that passed during session last spring and was subsequently vetoed by the Governor. The legislation requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a minimum hourly wage of $15.00 for all front line personnel in both residential and day programs that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A huge thank you to everyone who called their Representatives and Senators this past summer in support of HB 3931. Your calls made a difference and got this bill in front of the Governor.

We can’t stop now. Call your Representatives in Springfield in Support of SB 580
Currently, SB 580 sits in the House Rules Committee. However, it could be sent back to the House Floor for a vote at a moment’s notice. Given how quickly issues can move in the legislature, we ask that you begin making calls to your House of Representatives’ members in Springfield in support of SB 580 ASAP.

Use this website to find your House Representative: http://il–nea.capwiz.com/nea/il/directory/statedir.tt?state=IL&lvl=state

Please, don’t pass up this opportunity. Call today!

Thank you,

John
John Pingo, Ph. D., BCBA-D
President/Chief Executive Officer