Prairie State Wire

Jeanne Ives, a former state representative and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, has expressed concerns regarding the impact of recent legislative changes on Illinois direct support workers. She said that these workers will face reduced hours because lawmakers raised hourly pay without increasing total funding. The statement was made on X.

"The Democrats bragged that they put a 80 cent per hour increase for DSPs in the state budget," said Jeanne M Ives. "They kept the overall appropriation amount the same. DSPs will see a 35% cut in hours. They will fall further behind the target of 150% of min. wage."

The 2025 Illinois state budget has been criticized by disability advocates for its mixed impact on direct support professionals (DSPs), who provide critical care to individuals with developmental disabilities. According to the Journal-Courier, while the budget includes an $0.80 hourly wage increase for DSPs, it simultaneously cuts 35% of reimbursable service hours, equating to a loss of around 300,000 hours of care. Lawmakers and care providers argue this undercuts workforce stability and reduces support for vulnerable individuals.

The Illinois FY2025 budget allocates $2.6 billion in General Funds for developmental disability services, including a $1 per hour raise for direct support professionals, with $0.75 of it required to go directly to wages. According to the official budget highlights from the Illinois Office of Management and Budget, the state also includes a $100 million one-time investment in support service capital grants. This funding supports compliance with the Ligas consent decree.

As of mid-2025, the average wage for DSPs in Illinois is approximately $15.78 per hour, slightly above the state’s $15 minimum wage. According to ZipRecruiter, DSPs in Illinois earn marginally more than the minimum; however, wages vary by employer. For instance, CTF Illinois pays around $19.45 per hour, which exceeds the national DSP wage average by about 21%. This wage gap reflects both regional labor markets and provider funding structures.

Ives is a former Illinois state representative who served from 2013 to 2018 and is the founder of Breakthrough Ideas, a conservative policy advocacy group. According to Young America’s Foundation, she is a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer known for her strong stance on fiscal conservatism, education reform, and limited government. She currently hosts a policy-focused radio show and works to expand conservative networks in Illinois.