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House Bill 793 would eliminate the 14-C certificates, which
allows for lower pay for those with developmental disabilities.
The bill stalled in the House in May, but now legislators are
discussing the measure as it could come back up for debate in
the coming session.
State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, said these workers will
lose their jobs due to the cuts businesses will be forced to
make.
"We have had some of the workshops in southern Illinois do
this," Meier said. "One of them now employs 70% less employees
now that they've had to go to minimum wage. The lower portion of
these workers are now unemployable anywhere else for the rest of
their lives."
State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, said providers are also
against the measure.
"They are calling it the Dignity in Pay Act, and I am here to
counter that narrative," Stuart said. "The bill is not agreed,
as Charlie [Meier] pointed out when 33 out of 35 providers are
not in agreement, that is not agreed."
Those in support of the bill said the measure is about fairness.
"An essential aspect of raising the minimum wage for workers
with disabilities is its role in promoting social inclusion.
Economic exclusion often perpetuates social marginalization,
reinforcing negative stereotypes and limiting opportunities for
disabled individuals," bill sponsor and state Rep. LaShawn Ford,
D-Chicago, told The Center Square. "The question of equal pay on
the face is a social justice issue, and if an employee fits
talent and meets the job requirements, they should be paid equal
wages."
The measure, if approved, would raise the minimum wage for such
workers to the state's minimum wage by 2027. The states current
minimum wage is $13 an hour. That's set to increase Jan. 1,
2024, to $14 an hour, and another dollar to $15 an hour by 2025.
The current sub minimum wage is $10.50.
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