Only a few weeks remain before the FY26 budget for the state of Illinois is finalized, so we need you to make your voice heard to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are a priority this year. The Governor’s proposed FY26 budget would make significant cuts to the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce, which we strongly OPPOSE.
While the I/DD system has been fortunate to receive long-overdue investments over the past several years, frontline staffing challenges continue to be a roadblock to creating a system that meets the needs of all Illinoisans with I/DD. The introduced FY26 budget would eliminate nearly 900,000 DSP service hours which are awarded to each individual in the system, which is essentially a $32 million cut. This would directly impact the DSP workforce resulting in 430 DSP positions being eliminated across the state.
The I/DD system is in desperate need of expansion to meet the growing need for services. There are more than 16,000 individuals on the waiting list for services, 50,000 individuals living with a caregiver who is 60 years old or older, individuals in state institutions seeking community services, and many individuals who have received funding for services but cannot find any availability with a community provider. DSP staffing is the biggest challenge preventing these individuals from accessing community services, and the current FY26 budget will make further cuts to the DSP workforce.
We acknowledge and appreciate the investments that have been made into the I/DD system, but the system is still incredibly fragile. It is certainly not strong enough to sustain cuts to the frontline DSP workforce. No matter how this is framed, the proposed FY26 budget makes cuts to DSP staffing and will result in fewer service hours, fewer DSPs, and fewer options for individuals with I/DD.
Making cuts to an already under resourced DSP workforce will exacerbate all of the issues plaguing the I/DD system and result in fewer options, longer waiting times, and individuals with I/DD will ultimately suffer the consequences. We need our advocates to make their voices heard. Together we can fight to stop cuts to the DSP workforce and instead build on the progress we have made. Join the fight to preserve and protect the DSP workforce by telling your legislators to reject any budget proposal which makes cuts to I/DD services! Take Action Now!