They Deserve More

A win for Illinoisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who support them every day.

Early this morning, the Illinois General Assembly passed the FY27 state budget, which includes important investments to help prioritize, strengthen and stabilize IDD services across the state, including:

✅ A $0.60/hour DSP wage increase to help providers recruit and retain essential frontline staff
✅ New “zero-hour” staffing model, in which the state will fund CILA staffing 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
✅ A commitment from IDHS-DDD to propose another $0.60/hour DSP wage increase next year, reaching the Guidehouse Rate Study goal of funding DSP wages at 150% of Illinois minimum wage in FY2028

These investments are the result of years of advocacy by self-advocates, families, DSPs, providers, and other members of the They Deserve More Coalition. While there is still more work ahead to meet growing the need for IDD services, this budget continues progress toward a stronger, more sustainable system of support.

Read our full recap of the FY27 budget: https://www.theydeservemore.com/take-action

Take Action — They Deserve More TAKE ACTION Download our fact sheet Download our fact sheet We are mobilizing supporters like you across the state to call the offices of six key State Senators and tell them to raise DSP wages!1) Fill out your contact information in the form below 2) Click “Make a Call” 3) You’ll receive a ...