Gill Backs Pay Raise for Frontline Caregivers Serving Developmentally Disabled

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Health workers delivering critical care to the developmentally disabled will see their wages increase under the state budget plan supported by state Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago.

“Our caregivers provide quality, critically-needed work to support individuals who need assistance,” Gill said. “Securing funding for an increase in pay is an important step forward to support a profession that is too often overlooked.”

The Gill-backed state budget includes an increase in funding that is expected to raise caregiver wages by $1 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2025. Impacted Direct Support Professionals handle daily living caregiving responsibilities, and serve individuals with disabilities with employment assistance and emotional support. Direct Support Professionals play a critical role in enabling individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities, but the profession and care worker field broadly faces worker shortage issues that can limit many from benefitting.

“This increase is helpful, but more work remains,” Gill said. “There are shortages in Illinois and across the country when it comes to caregivers, causing excessive waitlists and overtime issues. Let’s make it a priority in Illinois to responsibly support these essential professionals, attract new caregivers and ensure our most vulnerable receive the care and attention they deserve.”

For more information, please contact RepMaryGill@gmail.com.