For years, Illinois was known as a state that chronically underfunded services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) — the essential workers who provide daily care, skill building, medication assistance, and community access — were paid wages that made retention nearly impossible. People with disabilities faced yearslong waiting lists, limited community options, and instability in the support system they depend on to live safe and meaningful lives.
In recent years, however, that narrative began to change. Under the Pritzker administration, and with bipartisan support in the General Assembly, Illinois has made steady and substantial progress. We have raised DSP wages, serviced more Illinoisans under the Ligas Consent Decree, and taken major steps to stabilize a workforce that is the backbone of community inclusion.
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December 16, 2025 at 12:08PM
Illinois Delivered 