Once again, The Arc will be an active member of the Care Campaign.
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.
This week, the Campaign sent a letter to Governor Quinn asking him to proclaim the week
of September 8-14, 2013 as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in Illinois. We
encourage you to recognize your Direct Support Professional’s that week to generate
knowledge of their important work with the public and public officials.
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.”
Here is the letter to Governor Quinn.
Tony
The Honorable Pat Quinn
Illinois Governor
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706
Governor Quinn:
We the undersigned members of the Care Campaign encourage you to continue your
tradition of acknowledging the important work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by
issuing a proclamation declaring the week of September 8 – 14, 2013 as Direct Support
Professional Recognition Week in Illinois.
The Care Campaign is comprised of DSPs working in community-based provider settings,
persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, parents and family members, unions,
community-based providers and associations that represent them working together to build
support for increasing the average hourly wage for DSPs working in community-based settings.
In May, at the request of Care Campaign members, both the Senate and House Human
Service Committees held Subject Matter hearings drawing the attention of the General
Assembly to the difficult and important work performed every day by DSPs, who on average
make only $9.35/hr due to inadequate reimbursement rates paid to community based providers.
Since 2010 you’ve issued annual proclamations highlighting the importance of DSPs to the
citizens of Illinois. Last year, you personally congratulated the five Direct Support Professional
Class of 2012 award recipients at IARF’s Annual Conference. Clearly, you recognize the value of
the important work that DSPs perform in support of children and adults with intellectual/
developmental disabilities and their families. Knowing the low average hourly wages DSPs
are paid, we ask you lead us in our efforts to right this wrong.
By issuing the draft proclamation included with this letter you have an opportunity to emphasize
your commitment to community living by standing with the Care Campaign in supporting an increase
in the average hourly wage for DSPs working in community based settings. Should you issue
this proclamation, we would have an opportunity over the coming weeks to work with your staff to
coordinate DSP recognition activities throughout Illinois.
As Governor, you have made a commitment to community care and have increased access
to community-based services and supports for children and adults with intellectual/
developmental disabilities. Adequate wages for DSPs are necessary for high quality community based services. Issuing a proclamation that not only recognizes DSPs for the
important work they do,but shows your commitment to increase the average hourly wages
would leave no doubt in the minds of the 40,000 DSPs across Illinois that you respect and
value their work.
.
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
