Dignity in Pay Workgroup & Subgroups

The Employment and Economic Opportunities for People with Disabilities (EEOPD) Dignity in Pay (DIP) Workgroup is committed to advancing Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) across Illinois.

Central to this mission is the establishment of Subgroups, each tasked with addressing specific areas crucial to the State’s transformation away from 14(c) Subminimum Wage (SMW) Programs. These Subgroups contribute to the mandated annual reporting outlined in House Bill (HB) 793—The Dignity in Pay Act—and inform key recommendations to the EEOPD Taskforce, the Governor’s Office, and the State legislature.

Each Subgroup will establish measurable benchmarks, track progress over the 5-year plan, and generate data, updates, and recommendations for annual reports. By combining data with the lived experiences of individuals with DD, they will drive equitable Statewide changes, address system gaps, and support the State’s commitment to CIE, ultimately guiding legislative and executive decision-making.

The Subgroups will actively engage with partners and other parties involved from underrepresented communities to incorporate their voices into the decision-making process, ensuring that policies are shaped by the lived experiences of those most affected. This will be done through culturally responsive practices, targeted outreach, and collaboration with community-based organizations that serve diverse populations. Through these efforts, the Workgroup and Subgroups can support equitable statewide changes, helping to close employment gaps and ensure that every individual with DD has the opportunity to achieve meaningful and competitive work.

Dignity in Pay Workgroup Co-Chairs:

• Kimberly Mercer Schleider, Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (Kimberly.Mercer-Schleider@illinios.gov)
• Tyson Bedfor, Self-Advocate, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Subgroups are as follows:

• Systems Transformation Subgroup: Dedicated to identifying and recommending Statewide system changes to better align policies, resources, and services.
• Resources Subgroup: Dedicated to identifying the short-term and long-term resources needed to support individuals moving away from 14(c) programming.
• Evaluation Subgroup: Dedicated to ensuring that the transition from subminimum wage employment is equitable and data driven.

Below is an organizational chart outlining the EEOPD Taskforce, including its Workgroups and Subgroups.