Advocates took to Springfield Wednesday to call on more support for those who work with the intellectual and developmental disability community.

Several lawmakers joined members of AFSCME Council 31 to support a $2 per hour wage increase for direct service personnel.

“An investment in DSP wages is an investment in improving the lives of people with disabilities, and a matter of fairness for workers who care for these individuals,” said Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford.

Lawmakers said the plan builds on prior efforts, including a $1 per hour wage increase effective this year.

The spending plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker includes a $0.50 per hour increase for DSPs, though stakeholders said it also cuts their hours.

According to union leaders, an additional $2 per hour would cost the state $80 million.

Dustin Jones, president of AFSCME Local 1268 and a direct service provider in Dixon, said the industry loses talented workers because wages are not competitive.

“We should not have to make the choice between providing for our families or providing for our individuals,” he said.

Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said they will work to include the increase in the forthcoming budget package.

“We can finally make sure that when the state says that we value care work — which we do — that we back it up with real dollars,” she said.

Josh Evans, CEO of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, said investments in recent years have led to vacancy rates dropping by 23 percent, and nearly 60 percent of their members have indicated they plan to expand services in the coming year.

While he supports a wage increase, Evans said they are concerned that Pritzker’s proposed budget carves out funding for 1 million hours of residential support services. The cut cut amounts to $32 million.

“If this cut moves forward, it will undo progress we’ve made and work directly against shared goals with the administration to expand service capacity to individuals wishing to come off the waiting list or move out of state centers,” Evans said. “It is our hope we can work with DHS and the legislature on a different outcome.”