Disability workers fight for fair wage
Gov. Rauner declared September 11-17 "DSP week" in Illinois—but he vetoed legislation that provides direct support personnel (DSPs) with a living wage on August 26. AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch calls this empty gesture “heartless."
The governor’s veto of House Bill 5931 came despite thousands of postcards and phone calls urging his signature, and despite the clear evidence that low wages in nonprofit agencies are creating a staffing shortage in the state’s community-based care system.
Rauner’s veto leaves DSPs stuck with an “average hourly wage [of] about $9.35, which has led to a severe staffing shortage that’s forced some group homes to close and leave many families without the help they need,” the Chicago Tribune reported after Rauner’s action.
The veto was widely covered by the media and Rauner was even asked how he sleeps at night after his veto ensured the continued struggles of so many families.
DSPs across the state joined forces with the community-based agencies that employ them and the family members of the individuals they serve to urge Rauner to support caregivers, build a stable workforce and preserve quality of services for people with disabilities.
Because of this grassroots lobbying campaign, legislators understand how hard it is for underpaid DSPs to balance care for Illinois' most vulnerable citizens with the challenge of caring for their own families. As a result, HB 5931 passed in May—the first time such legislation had successfully passed the Illinois General Assembly.
Thousands of people signed postcards urging Rauner to approve HB 5931 and a coalition of AFSCME members, families and community agencies delivered them to the governor’s office on August 17.
“We don’t have enough staff to ensure the best possible care for people with developmental disabilities,” Trinity Services CEO Art Dykstra told reporters at a press conference that day. “This system is very vulnerable and the people who depend on it are suffering.”
Erica Hall, a DSP at Ray Graham Association for 14 years, told reporters how much she loved her job, and how the low wages impact her family.
“I do this work because it’s rewarding,” Hall said. “But I have to work 70 hours a week to support my three-year-old son. I want to be there for my family and the people I care for at work. I need better pay so I can do both to the best of my ability.”
Sen. Heather Steans, a champion for the living-wage bill, joined advocates at the press conference. “The average DSP in Illinois is paid less than $20,000 a year for full-time work … that means half of DSPs and their families have to seek public assistance to make ends meet,” she said. “DSPs care for our most vulnerable while our community-based system crumbles around them. We must raise wages now.”
Despite the strident efforts of DSPs and their supporters, a measure to override Governor Rauner's veto failed on November 16 with a vote of 64-32. See how your legislator voted here.