Tell your legislators to support a $2/hour DSP wage increase!

Tell your state representative and state senator to support HB 2788 (Faver Dias) and SB 1690 (Koehler), which would provide a $2/hour wage increase for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who deliver crucial services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

TAKE ACTION NOW

The state budget will be very tight this year, and there are lots of competing demands for state funds. We need to get these bills on legislators’ radar RIGHT NOW—especially ahead of the Governor releasing his budget proposal on February 19.

We’ve fought hard to secure DSP wage increases over the last few years, but they’ve only kept pace with minimum wage. In FY2020, the state’s DSP wage reimbursement was 140% of minimum wage; today, it’s dropped to just 137%. A $2/hour increase will achieve our goal: 150% of minimum wage, as recommended by a state-commissioned study.

Recent wage increases are starting to make some progress in addressing the DSP staffing crisis, but more than 16,000 people with disabilities remain stuck on waitlists, unable to access services. DSPs are still overworked, underpaid, and struggling to make ends meet. These are real people facing real challenges every day—and we have the power to change that. For more details, see our updated fact sheet.

Your support can help secure a sustainable DSP wage and ensure people with disabilities get the support they deserve.

EMAIL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TODAY

They Deserve More Launches 2025 Campaign!

The They Deserve More Coalition is back this spring to ensure that people with disabilities get the support they need through Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) receiving fair wages and the state fulfilling its obligation. We need your help to continue to get this critical issue in front of state legislators with a lot of competing priorities.

The Guidehouse Rate Study commissioned by the state recommends that DSP wages be at least 150% of minimum wage—an essential goal to stabilize the system. Currently, DSP wages are just 137% of minimum wage, despite incremental increases over the years from the state. We need a $2 per hour wage increase to bring DSP pay to the recommended level.

Check out the resources below and sign up for text message action alerts!

2025 Fact Sheet

2025 TDM Campaign Launch Press Release

2025 TDM Letter to Governor Pritzker