Illinois Governor Vetoes 40% Medicaid Wage Increase For Direct Support Workers Serving Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

On August 26, 2016, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill to raise wages by 40% for direct support professionals serving the approximately 27,000 state residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). The proposal, House Bill (HB) 5931, called for the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to increase its rates and reimbursements so that direct support professionals earn a base wage of not less than $15 per hour and other front line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Nationally, direct support professionals working in residential and day programs with people with I/DD earn an average of $10 . . .