Rep. Charlie Meier Honors Promise to Improve “Dignity in Pay Act”

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) is continuing his work to legislate on behalf of workers with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Meier was an outspoken critic of the "Dignity in Pay Act," which passed during the 103^rd General Assembly in 2024. The legislation eliminated 14c certificates and required individuals with intellectual disabilities to be paid minimum wage. At the time, Meier expressed serious concerns that this legislation could unintentionally force people with intellectual disabilities in Community Day Service (CDS) settings out of work and promised to file legislation to address needed fixes.

The state allocated $2 million in the original legislation. This funding was intended to support the efforts of CDS providers across the state in transitioning the approximate 3500 persons with developmental disabilities out of 14c employment. That funding is long gone, and nearly 80% of CDS providers never received a single dollar.

"As I said when this bill passed, if it was not achieving its purpose, I would be back with legislation that would address any unintended consequences," said Rep. Charlie Meier. "I believed then - and still believe - that the intent behind the bill was good. However, it is now clear that the policy must be fixed."

To address this issue, Rep. Charlie Meier filed House Bill 4179, which would allocate $10 million to the Department of Human Services for transition grants under the Section 14c transition program. These grants would help community agencies transition away from subminimum wages while keeping CDS providers financially sustainable and workers employed. HB 4179 helps fund the mandate the state placed on these organizations through the "Dignity in Pay Act."

"Without immediate legislative action, we risk thousands of Illinoisans losing jobs they love - jobs that provide them with purpose, dignity, and happiness," Rep. Charlie Meier continued. "The people impacted by this situation are among our most vulnerable. They deserve a voice, and they deserve follow-through on the commitments we made. I will not allow them to be left behind."

Follow the status of HB 4179 at this link or at ilga.gov.

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State Representative Charlie Meier represents the 109^th district which includes portions or all of Bond, Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and Washington counties. For more information, please visit CharlieMeier.net or call his office at 618-651-0405.