CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — On Tuesday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law that enables disabled residents to earn a full minimum wage.
The Dignity in Pay Act eliminates Illinois’ 14(c) certificate program by December 31st, 2029. The 14(c) program allowed employers to pay people with disabilities a subminimum wage.
“Illinois is closing an era of an outdated two-tier wage system that let disabled workers make less money for their hard work,” said Pritzker. “The strength of the Dignity in Pay Act is that it not only sunsets an unfair wage policy, it puts an unprecedented emphasis on expanding employment opportunities for people across the spectrum of disability—strengthening rates, programs, and training opportunities for employers who are dedicated to the independence and support of people with disabilities. We are solidifying our status as a place of welcome and opportunity for all.”
The Dignity in Pay Act will also:
- Establish a Transition Program for 14(c) providers, to receive funding, training, and support to increase work options and discontinue subminimum wage labor,
- Require HFS/DHS to file a Medicaid waiver amendment with federal CMS to increase small group supported employment rates to enhance disability employment programs,
- Increase the Personal Needs Allowance for 11,000+ Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) residents to $100 per month (currently at $60), beginning immediately, and
- Appoint at least two additional 14(c) subminimum wage certificate holders to the Task Force responsible for disability employment tracking
Opponents of the Act had voiced concern that it could potentially put disabled people out of work, since the programs that employ them may not be able to afford the state’s full minimum wage of $15.
People living with disabilities are also eligible to earn Social Security Disability Insurance from the federal government.
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January 21, 2025 at 10:44AM
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