Illinois Senate approves bill to end subminimum wage for workers with disabilities. The bill must be signed by Governor JB Pritzker to take effect, aiming to abolish the federal minimum wage exemption by 2030. Supporters of the legislation, known as the “Dignity in Pay Act”, argue that workers with disabilities deserve to be paid the same as others. The bill establishes a transition grant program to support organizations in the transition to paying these workers at least the state minimum wage. The bill has received bipartisan support but faced opposition from organizations running sheltered work programs. Critics of the bill raised concerns about the potential impact on the availability of jobs for people with disabilities and the financial viability of some programs. However, similar legislation in other states and Chicago has led to positive outcomes and increased federal funding for programs serving people with disabilities. The bill’s passage underscores a significant step towards ensuring equity and fair pay for workers with disabilities in Illinois.
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Illinois General Assembly Approves Bill to Eliminate Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers
