summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to file an amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. Provides that for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt rules, including emergency rules, to implement the rate increases. Contains provisions on benchmark rates for therapy and counseling for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; tiered rates for community day services; community integration supports for community day services; and benchmark rates for CILA transportation cost and for the supported employment program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to submit a Title XIX State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel at ID/DD and MC/DD facilities. Provides that the State Plan amendment shall provide wage increases for all residential non-executive direct care staff. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill mandates significant increases in pay and benefits for direct support personnel and other frontline staff working in residential and community day services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, effective January 1, 2027. The Department of Human Services (DHS) must amend its Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program to ensure these workers receive wages at least 150% of the applicable minimum wage, with adjustments for employment-related expenses. Similarly, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) must submit a State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement these same wage increases for direct support and frontline personnel in ID/DD (Intellectual Disability/Developmental Disability) and MC/DD (Medicaid Community/Developmental Disability) facilities. The bill also includes provisions for benchmark rates for therapy, counseling, community day services, transportation, and supported employment programs, as well as a "zero hour staffing model" for CILAs (Community-Integrated Living Arrangements). The goal is to improve compensation for essential workers in these care settings, with the changes taking effect immediately upon becoming law.
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán (on 02/23/2026)
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