Slaughter-Backed Legislation Supports Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

CHICAGO – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that allows developmentally disabled individuals who live in group homes to retain more of the money they make from employment.  

“For far too long, our state’s disabled workers have been legally making far less than what their neurotypical counterparts do,” said Slaughter. “Although workplace discrimination has been illegal for decades, we have not done enough to protect disabled workers from being taken advantage of by the system.”

The Slaughter-backed House Bill 292 recently passed both chambers of the General Assembly and is expected to be signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker later this summer. This legislation increases the amount of money that developmentally disabled individuals living in group homes will earn from work by entitling them to the full amount of their earnings. Currently, a large portion of their income is spent to help cover the costs of residency at their group home.

“The amount of money that members of the special needs community are currently allowed to keep is absolutely criminal and I am glad that we are addressing it,” said Slaughter. “I am proud of my colleagues in the General Assembly who had the courage to change the law for the better.”