Direct Support Staff Wage Initiative. Senator Toi Hutchinson is the Chief Sponsor of Senate Bill 1413, the Direct Support Staff Wage Initiative. The Arc is working with other advocates to increase the wage of direct support staff in developmental disability programs to $13.00 over a three year period.
Senator Hutchinson
Hearings on SB 1413 are now scheduled. The Senate hearing is in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 14th; the House hearing is on the 15th in the morning. More details to follow.
ACTION: Ask your State Senator to become a co-sponsor of SB 1413.
TALKING POINTS
1. A stable workforce in the community ensures a better quality of life for people in community services.
2. Direct support staff have not had a wage increase in six years.
3. Most direct support staff are working below the poverty wage level of $11.32 for a family of four. This is not a living wage.
4. Home health workers who perform similar duties currently earn $11.55 per hour.
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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
