Arc Action Alert on Direct Support Professionals Wages
Your State Senators and Representatives are now in their home offices. This is the
time you and other advocates should meet with your elected officials and ask them to
support increased wages for Direct Support Professionals.
I have developed for you talking points below.
Ask your Senator to become a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2604.”
Talking Points with Legislators:
1. Please become a co-sponsor of HB 3698 or SB 2604
2. Direct Support Professionals support vulnerable individuals with
intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the community.
3. The average wage of a Direct Care Professional in Illinois is $9.35
per hour.
4. Help us to raise the Direct Care Professionals wages by supporting
this legislation.
The Care Campaign is a coalition of State Associations, Service Providers, Direct Care
Professionals, Families, Self Advocates and the Union. The goal of Care Campaign is
to increase average hourly wages for Direct Service Professionals over a three year
period. Last year, you will recall we introduced legislation to increase wages and held
Senate Hearing on that increase for Direct Service Professionals.
Rebalancing the Disability System will continue, people will move off the PUNS Waiting
List and Murray Developmental Center will close. We need to increases wages for Direct
Support Professionals to support these important initiatives here in Illinois. The Care
Campaign takes us there, “Caring for those who care.”
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org