What would the Illinois waiver amendment change?

It would put into effect rate increases required by Public Act 104-0466. The DSP hourly wage used in the rate would rise from $21.30 to $21.90 statewide and from $24.50 to $25.19 in the Chicago area, and the average daily 24-hour CILA rate from $375.11 to $401.63.

Is $21.90 a minimum wage for Illinois DSPs?

No. It is the wage built into the state's rate model, not a guaranteed paycheck, but it shapes what agencies can afford to pay.

When would the new rates take effect, and how can I comment?

If CMS approves, Jan. 1, 2027, or on approval. Comments can be emailed to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov through Oct. 8, 2026.

Illinois proposes $21.90 DSP rate wage; comments due Oct. 8

Illinois proposed a DD waiver amendment, posted Sept. 10, 2026, that would raise the DSP wage in its rate model to $21.90 statewide from Jan. 1, 2027, with public comments due Oct. 8, 2026.

Direct Support News desk · September 26, 2026 · Updated September 26, 2026 · 2 min read

Illinois would raise the direct support professional wage built into its developmental disability waiver rates from $21.30 to $21.90 an hour statewide, and from $24.50 to $25.19 in Chicago, Cook and the collar counties, under a proposed waiver amendment. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) posted the public notice on Sept. 10, 2026. The 30-day comment period runs from Sept. 8 through Oct. 8, 2026.

What the amendment would change

The amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (IL 0350) mostly puts into effect rate increases required by Public Act 104-0466. If CMS approves, the increases take effect Jan. 1, 2027, or on approval.

Proposed changes include, statewide unless noted:

DSP wage in the rate: $21.30 to $21.90 ($24.50 to $25.19 in the Chicago area)
job coach wage: $22.94 to $23.58 ($26.38 to $27.12 in the Chicago area)
24-hour CILA residential habilitation average daily rate: $375.11 to $401.63
community day services on-site: $18.38 to $18.85 an hour
intermittent CILA, one person: $61.46 to $63.54
individual supported employment: $50.92 to $52.27

Enhanced residential, temporary intensive staffing, small and large group supported employment, adult day, nursing and mileage rates would also rise.

Other changes

People living at home who buy community day services through a self-directed budget could use up to eight hours a day instead of five. The five-hour limit stays for people who also receive residential habilitation. The amendment also corrects errors in four rates listed in the Jan. 1, 2026 amendment, including enhanced residential and intermittent CILA rates.

How to comment

Comments can be emailed to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov or mailed to HFS Waiver Operations Management, 201 South Grand Avenue East, Springfield, through Oct. 8, 2026.

Why this matters for providers and DSPs

The DSP figure is the wage built into the state's rate model, not a guaranteed minimum paycheck, but it shapes what agencies can afford to pay. Illinois providers and DSPs can comment now, before the amendment goes to CMS.