A long-anticipated bill aimed at eliminating the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities in Illinois has been approved by the Senate and is set to be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature. The Senate voted 43-11 in a bipartisan effort to pass the legislation, which supporters have named the “Dignity in Pay Act.”
House Bill 793 would prevent businesses and residential facilities in Illinois from utilizing an exemption that allows them to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage. This exemption, known as a 14(c) certificate, originates from the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which permits lower wages based on individual productivity compared to workers without disabilities performing similar tasks.
If signed into law, the bill requires Illinois to phase out the subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029. The measure previously passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 78-30 in May, following extensive negotiations.
To support this transition, the bill includes a grant program to provide financial assistance to organizations, enabling them to continue employing individuals with disabilities at least at the state minimum wage. Additionally, it establishes a task force to oversee the transition process in the coming years.
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