Act Now to Preserve the DSP Workforce October 3, 2025

October 3, 2025

Written by Joe O’Sullivan, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

In January of 2026, the state of Illinois will eliminate approximately 600,000 Direct Support Professional (DSP) service hours. This means that 300 full time equivalent (FTE) DSP positions will be eliminated, Illinois providers will experience a significant loss in funds, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) currently receiving services will have less staff support, and the tens of thousands of individuals with I/DD left waiting for services will have fewer community service options.

Here’s what you need to know:

What Are DSP Service Hours, and Why Is the State Cutting Them?

DSP service hours are state-funded hours of support provided by DSP staff to individuals with I/DD, based on each person’s needs and service plan. Providers are reimbursed by the state at the base wage rate.

In February 2023, the state first proposed major cuts to these hours without consulting providers, all of whom strongly opposed the move. After several delays and negotiations between providers and the Department of Human Services (DHS), the CILA Hour Adjustment Factor was implemented in 2024 to preserve all DSP hours. However, in January 2026, the state will “roll back” the adjusted hours by 35%, eliminating 600,000 DSP service hours – directly contradicting the agreement reached with providers.

While we appreciate the state’s recent investments to stabilize the DSP workforce, the system remains fragile and understaffed. Cutting hours now is illogical and counterproductive. Not only because it undermines the years of investments made into the DSP workforce, but millions more hours will be needed to implement “Zero Hour” staffing.

What Is “Zero Hour” Staffing?

One of the yet-to-be implemented priorities of the state-commissioned Guidehouse Study, which this administration has committed to implementing, is the “Zero Hour” staffing model. Zero Hour staffing will require DSP staff to be funded 24/7, adding 2.4 million hours to the system. So why cut DSP service hours now when millions more will soon be needed?

While the cuts may be framed as a fiscal necessity, sacrificing the daily well-being of individuals with I/DD for modest savings is unacceptable. Governor Pritzker has supported strengthening the I/DD system, committed to fulfilling the Guidehouse Study, and opposed federal Medicaid cuts. Yet the system remains fragile. Reducing DSP hours before Zero Hour staffing – amid looming federal Medicaid cuts – would be disastrous for individuals with I/DD.

Can the I/DD System Sustain These Cuts?

In recent years, Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly have made historic investments to stabilize the DSP workforce – the key barrier to individuals with I/DD accessing services. Yet in 2026, the state plans to cut 600,000 DSP service hours, suggesting an oversupply of hours. This is absolutely false. In fact, a major expansion is needed to meet growing demand.

Illinois has:

16,000+ individuals with I/DD on the waiting list for services

50,000+ individuals with I/DD living with caregivers over age 60

Hundreds in state institutions seeking community services

Many individuals selected for services but unable to find provider availability

The core issue is a shortage of DSP staff, and further cuts will restrict access to services even more. The system is not overstaffed – it’s under-resourced. These cuts contradict recent investments and will leave tens of thousands of individuals without options. Over 10,000 individuals in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs), especially those with higher needs, will be directly impacted, and access for those still awaiting services will be further restricted.

What Can Be Done to Prevent These Cuts?

House Joint Resolution 44 (HJR44) urges Governor Pritzker and DHS to delay cuts to DSP service hours until the Zero Hour staffing model is implemented. This resolution is critical to preventing harmful reductions in services for individuals with I/DD and upholding the agreement to preserve all DSP hours.

To stop these cuts, we need your voice. Contact your elected officials to show strong public opposition and urge full support for HJR44. Your representatives are there to represent you – make sure they hear from you.

Clearbrook’s Advocacy campaign makes it easy to take action. With just a few clicks, you can help build a coalition of support for preserving the DSP workforce. Please take action and share the campaign widely ⬇️

🔗 https://advocacy.clearbrook.org/campaign/stop-the-reckless-funding-cuts-to-the-dsp-workforce/