State Rep. La Ha Works To Bring 'Dignity in Pay' Improvements

LEMONT, IL — State Representative Nicole La Ha is continuing her work to bring needed improvements to “Dignity in Pay” programs to benefit disabled individuals who are employed in community workshop or other 14c certificate programs, according to a news release from her office.

“Individuals with disabilities want to be fully integrated stakeholders in our economy, and our local communities certainly benefit when everyone is involved in our community,” said La Ha, who herself is the mother of a child who lives with disability. “It is incredibly important that the State of Illinois keep its promise made to individuals living with disabilities and fully fund Dignity in Pay Grants to providers.”

Legislation enacted into law in 2024 eliminated 14c certificates and required individuals with intellectual disabilities to be paid minimum wage, according to a news release from La Ha's office. The State of Illinois allocated $2 million in the original legislation to support efforts of Community Day Service providers to transition the approximately 3,500 persons with developmental disabilities out of 14c employment. The funding has now been exhausted and 80 percent of CDS providers never received funding, a news release states.

To address this shortfall, Rep. La Ha has co-sponsored House Bill 4179 to allocate $10 million to the Department of Human Services for grants under the 14c transition program. These grants would help community agencies transition away from subminimum wage while keeping CDS providers operating and workers employed.

La Ha also filed House Bill 2847, which provides for income tax credits to employers of persons with severe mental illness or developmental disability in an amount equal to 25 percent of the wages paid by the taxpayer to the person with a developmental disability or severe mental illness, but not to exceed $6,000 in wages paid during the taxable year to any single qualified employee, according to her office. This legislation is aimed at further incentivizing the community employment of individuals with severe disabilities.

La Ha was added as a co-sponsor for House Bill 4179 in January. The Bill was first filed in Oct. 2025, and was referred to the rules committee.

House Bill 2847 was filed Feb. 5, and has assigned to the revenue and finance committee as of Feb. 24.