Take Action Now: Support Key I/DD Bills by Submitting a Witness Slip  

The deadline for House Bills to move out of committee is Friday, March 27. Several bills supported by the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), which represents community-based providers across Illinois, have been posted for hearings and may be called for a vote at any time through next Friday. 

We are asking advocates to show strong support by submitting online witness slips as a “Proponent.”  

Each slip takes less than two minutes, just about 20 minutes total to show legislators that these bills are a top priority for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and the people who care about them. 

I/DD Priority Bills 

These bills directly impact services and supports for people with I/DDs, including funding structures, workforce support and transparency in community living programs. 

• HB 4969 – IARF Omnibus 
  Protects at-home services, restores 118 staffing support hours, and raises DSP wages to 150% of minimum wage. 

• HB 4179 – Dignity in Pay Grants 
  • Supports initiatives that improve wages and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. 

• HB 4747 – Career Pathways for Direct Support Professionals (IARF Bill) 
  • Strengthens recruitment and retention of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by creating structured career pathways. 

• HB 4850 – Access to Day Services (IARF Bill) 
  • Increases service flexibility by removing daily 5-hour billing limits and updates transportation funding to better support community inclusion. 

• HB 4884 – Transparency in CILA / Group Home Licensing (IARF Bill) 
  • Increases transparency and accountability in licensing processes for Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). 

Behavioral Health Bills  

While not exclusively focused on I/DD services, behavioral health legislation can be critical for people with developmental disabilities, many of whom experience co-occurring mental health needs or rely on crisis response systems. 

• HB 4785 – Behavioral Health Crisis Surcharge 
  • Helps fund statewide behavioral health crisis response services. 

• HB 4495 – Strengthen Linkage to Care After Behavioral Health Crisis Act 
  • Improves follow-up care and support for people after a behavioral health crisis. 

• HJR 52 – Person-Centered Mental Health  
  • Encourages policies that center mental health care around the person’s needs and person-driven support. 

Broader Safety Net Bills 

These bills strengthen the human services and healthcare systems that support people with disabilities, families and providers. 

• HB 4362 – Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Funding 
  • Expands loan repayment programs to help recruit and retain human services professionals. 

• HB 4784 – Presumptive Eligibility 
  • Maintains coverage for seniors and people with disabilities during eligibility reviews, ensuring uninterrupted access to home and community-based care. 

Steps to Complete a Witness Slip as Proponents  

1. Click on each bill link above
2. Name: Your full name
3. Organization: Enter your organization name
4. City / State / Zip: Your business address
5. Representation
   1. Select “Organization” if filing on behalf of your association
   2. Select “Self” if filing as an individual
6. Position
   1. In the “Add Legislation” drop-down, select “Original Bill”
   2. In the “Add Position” drop-down, select “Proponent”
7. Testimony: Select “Record of Appearance Only”
8. Click in the box to “I agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement
9. Click in the box “I am not a robot.”
10. Click “Submit Witness Slip”

Your advocacy strengthens support for I/DD services and policies, expands workforce capacity and enhances community supports for people with disabilities. 

Thank you for helping advance policies that support our community! Please consider sharing this information with your network to help amplify our advocacy efforts. 

For any questions or assistance filling out witness slips, please reach out to Family Supports and Advocacy Manager Laura Ross at lross@search360.org or call 773-892-8672.