SE Illinois News

In a recent statement, Dave Severin, House Rep. of Illinois House of Representatives, emphasized the significance of an impending legislation on Oct 25th. "There’s one component of this that we haven't talked about today that I want to share with you and talking with the other workshops in Southern Illinois, they said you know not only does this impact the people that are working now but it prohibits those that would qualify and would come to a workshop to work, it’s going to prohibit them. I just wanted to share that not only does it affect the people who are working now but also the potential for those who would qualify in the future. This is an important issue and we need to stand firm across both sides of the aisle," said Dave Severin.

The proposed House Bill 793 could alter conditions for developmentally disabled individuals within workplaces if passed. The bill intends to remove employers' ability to pay these individuals anything below minimum wage from July 1, 2027. It stipulates: "Requires the Department of Human Services, in partnership with other specified State agencies, to eliminate on July 1, 2027 the use of active or pending 14(c) certificates authorized under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as well as authorizations permitted under the Minimum Wage Law to pay an employee with a disability less than the minimum wage otherwise required for employees under the Minimum Wage Law."

Severin has served since Jan. 2017 as House Rep., representing Illinois' 116th district. His assignments include being part of committees such as House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; House Mental Health & Addiction Committee; and House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Additionally, he serves as Republican spokesperson for both House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee and House Energy & Environment Committee.

Despite good intentions behind this bill's introduction into law-making chambers - there remains pushback from some sectors. According to Fox 2, Community Link Executive Director John Huelskamp suggests the bill overlooks some critical aspects. While aiming for better pay for developmentally disabled workers, the bill might inadvertently leave them jobless. The minimum wage requirement could potentially eliminate work opportunities altogether for those whose primary aim isn't just earning a salary but seeking other advantages of a working environment.