SB2894 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17073 KTG 30488 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2894

Introduced 1/16/2026, by Sen. Celina Villanueva

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for frontline personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Provides that for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.20 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. Prohibits community-based providers from using the rate increases for operational or administrative expenses. Requires rate increases that are sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the rates for ID/DD and MC/DD facilities for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include a $1.20 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases. Provides that changes to the rate methodologies are subject to federal approval. Grants emergency rulemaking authority to the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services to implement the rate increases. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning care for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Community Disability Living Wage Act.

Section 2. Findings.

(1) An estimated 22,000 children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are supported in community-based settings in Illinois; direct support professionals (DSPs) are trained paraprofessional staff who are engaged in activities of daily living and community support; too many of these employees earn wages that place them and their families below the poverty level.

(2) In Illinois, nearly half of direct care workers rely on public assistance to make ends meet, creating additional expenditures for State government; low wages are a consequence of the historically low reimbursement rates paid by the State of Illinois to community-based service providers.

(3) The lack of adequate wages for employees who perform the challenging work of supporting persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities results in high employee turnover, which in turn negatively impacts the quality of services provided, higher wages are proven to reduce staff turnover, improving stability and quality of services while reducing employer training costs.

(4) A December 2020 report issued by an independent consulting group commissioned by the State to propose changes to the State's reimbursement for community disability agencies recommended that addressing DSP wages was the number one priority for ensuring compliance with the mandates of the Ligas Consent Decree, and further recommended that wages for DSPs should be fixed at 150% of the prevailing minimum wage plus additional funding for benefits.

(5) The difference between 150% of the State minimum wage on January 1, 2027 and the hourly DSP wage rate set by the State amounts to $1.20 per hour.

(6) The General Assembly finds that in order to reduce turnover, increase retention, fill vacancies, and ensure DSPs are adequately compensated for the critically important work they do, an increase in rates and reimbursements to community-based service providers to effectuate an increase in the hourly wage paid to DSPs is needed.

Section 3. Purpose and intent. It is the purpose of this Act to increase the wages of DSPs and other frontline staff in community disability agencies beyond the poverty level and to a level competitive with rival employers and above the State minimum wage, in an effort to improve the lives of DSPs and the lives of the vulnerable persons they support.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that all funds resulting from rate increases provided to community disability agencies are allocated to frontline employee wages in order to address the current workforce crisis which is the primary obstacle to the availability of community-based services for people with disabilities.

Section 5. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Sections 5-45.71 and 5-45.72 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.71 new)

Sec. 5-45.71. Emergency rulemaking; DHS rate increase for direct support professionals and all frontline personnel. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of changes made by this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly to Section 74 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act, emergency rules implementing the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly to Section 74 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Department of Human Services. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.72 new)

Sec. 5-45.72. Emergency rulemaking; DHFS rate increase for direct support professionals and all frontline personnel. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of changes made by this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly to Sections 5-5.4 and 5-5.4i of the Illinois Public Aid Code, emergency rules implementing the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly to Sections 5-5.4 and 5-5.4i of the Illinois Public Aid Code may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

Section 10. The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act is amended by changing Section 74 and by adding Section 55.5 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1705/55.5 new)

Sec. 55.5. Increased wages for frontline personnel. As used in this Section, "frontline personnel" means direct support professionals, aides, frontline supervisors, and non-administrative support staff working in service settings outlined in this Section.

The Department shall establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for frontline personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities under Section 54 of this Act, including, but not limited to, intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities, community-integrated living arrangements, community day services, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act.

The Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that by January 1, 2027 wages for direct support professionals shall be increased by $1.20 per hour, and so that other frontline personnel earn a commensurate wage.

(20 ILCS 1705/74)

Sec. 74. Rates and reimbursements.

(a) Within 30 days after July 6, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 100-23), the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements to fund a minimum of a $0.75 per hour wage increase for frontline personnel, including, but not limited to, direct support professionals, aides, frontline supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in community-based provider organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (y) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

(b) Rates and reimbursements. Within 30 days after June 4, 2018 (the effective date of Public Act 100-587), the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements to fund a minimum of a $0.50 per hour wage increase for frontline personnel, including, but not limited to, direct support professionals, aides, frontline supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in community-based provider organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (bb) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

(c) Rates and reimbursements. Within 30 days after June 5, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-10), subject to federal approval, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements in effect on June 30, 2019 for community-based providers for persons with Developmental Disabilities by 3.5% The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (jj) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section, including wage increases for direct care staff.

(d) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2022, shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.50 per hour wage increase for direct support professionals in residential settings and sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection (d).

(e) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2023, shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.00 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases, who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.50 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to base wages, with the remaining $0.50 to be used flexibly for base wage increases. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2023 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(f) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $2.50 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. At least $1.25 of the per hour wage increase shall be provided as a direct increase to base wages, and the remaining $1.25 of the per hour wage increase shall be used flexibly for base wage increases. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(g) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.75 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to base wages and the remaining $0.25 to be used flexibly for base wage increases. These increases shall not be used by community-based providers for operational or administrative expenses. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support personnel, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined by rule by the Department. For services delivered on or after January 1, 2025, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(h) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $0.80 per hour wage increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.60 of the per hour wage increase to be provided as a direct increase to base wages, and the remaining $0.20 of the per hour wage increase to be used flexibly for base wage increases. These increases shall not be used by community-based providers for operational or administrative expenses. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support personnel, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(i) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.20 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. These increases shall not be used by community-based providers for operational or administrative expenses. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined by rule by the Department. For services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24; 104-2, eff. 6-16-25.)

Section 15. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Sections 5-5.4 and 5-5.4i as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 5-5.4)

Sec. 5-5.4. Standards of payment; Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall develop standards of payment of nursing facility and ICF/DD services in facilities providing such services under this Article which:

(1) Provide for the determination of a facility's payment for nursing facility or ICF/DD services on a prospective basis. The amount of the payment rate for all nursing facilities certified by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act or the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities, Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, Skilled Nursing facilities, or Intermediate Care facilities under the medical assistance program shall be prospectively established annually on the basis of historical, financial, and statistical data reflecting actual costs from prior years, which shall be applied to the current rate year and updated for inflation, except that the capital cost element for newly constructed facilities shall be based upon projected budgets. The annually established payment rate shall take effect on July 1 in 1984 and subsequent years. No rate increase and no update for inflation shall be provided on or after July 1, 1994, unless specifically provided for in this Section. The changes made by Public Act 93-841 extending the duration of the prohibition against a rate increase or update for inflation are effective retroactive to July 1, 2004.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 1998 shall include an increase of 3%. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Skilled Nursing facilities or Intermediate Care facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 1998 shall include an increase of 3% plus $1.10 per resident-day, as defined by the Department. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on January 1, 2006 shall include an increase of 3%. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on January 1, 2009 shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.50 per hour wage increase for non-executive staff. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities the rates taking effect within 30 days after July 6, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 100-23) shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.75 per hour wage increase for non-executive staff. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (y) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this paragraph. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, the rates taking effect within 30 days after June 5, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-10) shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.50 per hour wage increase for non-executive frontline personnel, including, but not limited to, direct support persons, aides, frontline supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (bb) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this paragraph.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of a State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include a $1.20 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. These increases shall not be used by facilities for operational and administrative expenses. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 1999 shall include an increase of 1.6% plus $3.00 per resident-day, as defined by the Department. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Skilled Nursing facilities or Intermediate Care facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 1999 shall include an increase of 1.6% and, for services provided on or after October 1, 1999, shall be increased by $4.00 per resident-day, as defined by the Department.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 2000 shall include an increase of 2.5% per resident-day, as defined by the Department. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Skilled Nursing facilities or Intermediate Care facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 2000 shall include an increase of 2.5% per resident-day, as defined by the Department.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, a new payment methodology must be implemented for the nursing component of the rate effective July 1, 2003. The Department of Public Aid (now Healthcare and Family Services) shall develop the new payment methodology using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as the instrument to collect information concerning nursing home resident condition necessary to compute the rate. The Department shall develop the new payment methodology to meet the unique needs of Illinois nursing home residents while remaining subject to the appropriations provided by the General Assembly. A transition period from the payment methodology in effect on June 30, 2003 to the payment methodology in effect on July 1, 2003 shall be provided for a period not exceeding 3 years and 184 days after implementation of the new payment methodology as follows:

(A) For a facility that would receive a lower nursing component rate per patient day under the new system than the facility received effective on the date immediately preceding the date that the Department implements the new payment methodology, the nursing component rate per patient day for the facility shall be held at the level in effect on the date immediately preceding the date that the Department implements the new payment methodology until a higher nursing component rate of reimbursement is achieved by that facility.

(B) For a facility that would receive a higher nursing component rate per patient day under the payment methodology in effect on July 1, 2003 than the facility received effective on the date immediately preceding the date that the Department implements the new payment methodology, the nursing component rate per patient day for the facility shall be adjusted.

(C) Notwithstanding paragraphs (A) and (B), the nursing component rate per patient day for the facility shall be adjusted subject to appropriations provided by the General Assembly.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on March 1, 2001 shall include a statewide increase of 7.85%, as defined by the Department.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, except facilities participating in the Department's demonstration program pursuant to the provisions of Title 77, Part 300, Subpart T of the Illinois Administrative Code, the numerator of the ratio used by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to compute the rate payable under this Section using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) methodology shall incorporate the following annual amounts as the additional funds appropriated to the Department specifically to pay for rates based on the MDS nursing component methodology in excess of the funding in effect on December 31, 2006:

(i) For rates taking effect January 1, 2007, $60,000,000.

(ii) For rates taking effect January 1, 2008, $110,000,000.

(iii) For rates taking effect January 1, 2009, $194,000,000.

(iv) For rates taking effect April 1, 2011, or the first day of the month that begins at least 45 days after February 16, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-1530), $416,500,000 or an amount as may be necessary to complete the transition to the MDS methodology for the nursing component of the rate. Increased payments under this item (iv) are not due and payable, however, until (i) the methodologies described in this paragraph are approved by the federal government in an appropriate State Plan amendment and (ii) the assessment imposed by Section 5B-2 of this Code is determined to be a permissible tax under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the support component of the rates taking effect on January 1, 2008 shall be computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2005, updated for inflation to January 1, 2006.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on April 1, 2002 shall include a statewide increase of 2.0%, as defined by the Department. This increase terminates on July 1, 2002; beginning July 1, 2002 these rates are reduced to the level of the rates in effect on March 31, 2002, as defined by the Department.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the rates taking effect on July 1, 2001 shall be computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Public Aid no later than April 1, 2000, updated for inflation to January 1, 2001. For rates effective July 1, 2001 only, rates shall be the greater of the rate computed for July 1, 2001 or the rate effective on June 30, 2001.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the Illinois Department shall determine by rule the rates taking effect on July 1, 2002, which shall be 5.9% less than the rates in effect on June 30, 2002.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, if the payment methodologies required under Section 5A-12 and the waiver granted under 42 CFR 433.68 are approved by the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the rates taking effect on July 1, 2004 shall be 3.0% greater than the rates in effect on June 30, 2004. These rates shall take effect only upon approval and implementation of the payment methodologies required under Section 5A-12.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the rates taking effect on January 1, 2005 shall be 3% more than the rates in effect on December 31, 2004.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, effective January 1, 2009, the per diem support component of the rates effective on January 1, 2008, computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2005, updated for inflation to January 1, 2006, shall be increased to the amount that would have been derived using standard Department of Healthcare and Family Services methods, procedures, and inflators.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as intermediate care facilities that are federally defined as Institutions for Mental Disease, or facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, a socio-development component rate equal to 6.6% of the facility's nursing component rate as of January 1, 2006 shall be established and paid effective July 1, 2006. The socio-development component of the rate shall be increased by a factor of 2.53 on the first day of the month that begins at least 45 days after January 11, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-707). As of August 1, 2008, the socio-development component rate shall be equal to 6.6% of the facility's nursing component rate as of January 1, 2006, multiplied by a factor of 3.53. For services provided on or after April 1, 2011, or the first day of the month that begins at least 45 days after February 16, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-1530), whichever is later, the Illinois Department may by rule adjust these socio-development component rates, and may use different adjustment methodologies for those facilities participating, and those not participating, in the Illinois Department's demonstration program pursuant to the provisions of Title 77, Part 300, Subpart T of the Illinois Administrative Code, but in no case may such rates be diminished below those in effect on August 1, 2008.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or as long-term care facilities for residents under 22 years of age, the rates taking effect on July 1, 2003 shall include a statewide increase of 4%, as defined by the Department.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the rates taking effect on the first day of the month that begins at least 45 days after January 11, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-707) shall include a statewide increase of 2.5%, as defined by the Department.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, effective January 1, 2005, facility rates shall be increased by the difference between (i) a facility's per diem property, liability, and malpractice insurance costs as reported in the cost report filed with the Department of Public Aid and used to establish rates effective July 1, 2001 and (ii) those same costs as reported in the facility's 2002 cost report. These costs shall be passed through to the facility without caps or limitations, except for adjustments required under normal auditing procedures.

Rates established effective each July 1 shall govern payment for services rendered throughout that fiscal year, except that rates established on July 1, 1996 shall be increased by 6.8% for services provided on or after January 1, 1997. Such rates will be based upon the rates calculated for the year beginning July 1, 1990, and for subsequent years thereafter until June 30, 2001 shall be based on the facility cost reports for the facility fiscal year ending at any point in time during the previous calendar year, updated to the midpoint of the rate year. The cost report shall be on file with the Department no later than April 1 of the current rate year. Should the cost report not be on file by April 1, the Department shall base the rate on the latest cost report filed by each skilled care facility and intermediate care facility, updated to the midpoint of the current rate year. In determining rates for services rendered on and after July 1, 1985, fixed time shall not be computed at less than zero. The Department shall not make any alterations of regulations which would reduce any component of the Medicaid rate to a level below what that component would have been utilizing in the rate effective on July 1, 1984.

(2) Shall take into account the actual costs incurred by facilities in providing services for recipients of skilled nursing and intermediate care services under the medical assistance program.

(3) Shall take into account the medical and psycho-social characteristics and needs of the patients.

(4) Shall take into account the actual costs incurred by facilities in meeting licensing and certification standards imposed and prescribed by the State of Illinois, any of its political subdivisions or municipalities and by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall develop precise standards for payments to reimburse nursing facilities for any utilization of appropriate rehabilitative personnel for the provision of rehabilitative services which is authorized by federal regulations, including reimbursement for services provided by qualified therapists or qualified assistants, and which is in accordance with accepted professional practices. Reimbursement also may be made for utilization of other supportive personnel under appropriate supervision.

The Department shall develop enhanced payments to offset the additional costs incurred by a facility serving exceptional need residents and shall allocate at least $4,000,000 of the funds collected from the assessment established by Section 5B-2 of this Code for such payments. For the purpose of this Section, "exceptional needs" means, but need not be limited to, ventilator care and traumatic brain injury care. The enhanced payments for exceptional need residents under this paragraph are not due and payable, however, until (i) the methodologies described in this paragraph are approved by the federal government in an appropriate State Plan amendment and (ii) the assessment imposed by Section 5B-2 of this Code is determined to be a permissible tax under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Beginning January 1, 2014 the methodologies for reimbursement of nursing facility services as provided under this Section 5-5.4 shall no longer be applicable for services provided on or after January 1, 2014.

No payment increase under this Section for the MDS methodology, exceptional care residents, or the socio-development component rate established by Public Act 96-1530 of the 96th General Assembly and funded by the assessment imposed under Section 5B-2 of this Code shall be due and payable until after the Department notifies the long-term care providers, in writing, that the payment methodologies to long-term care providers required under this Section have been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the waivers under 42 CFR 433.68 for the assessment imposed by this Section, if necessary, have been granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Upon notification to the Department of approval of the payment methodologies required under this Section and the waivers granted under 42 CFR 433.68, all increased payments otherwise due under this Section prior to the date of notification shall be due and payable within 90 days of the date federal approval is received.

On and after July 1, 2012, the Department shall reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments or alter any methodologies authorized by this Code to reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments in accordance with Section 5-5e.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after August 1, 2019 shall be increased by 3.5% over the rates in effect on June 30, 2019. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (ii) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section, including wage increases for direct care staff.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval, the rates taking effect on the latter of the approval date of the State Plan Amendment for these facilities or the Waiver Amendment for the home and community-based services settings shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.26 per hour wage increase to the base wage for non-executive staff. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section, including wage increases for direct care staff.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment and the Waiver Amendment for the home and community-based services settings, the rates taking effect for the services delivered on or after July 1, 2020 shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $1.00 per hour wage increase for non-executive staff. For services delivered on or after January 1, 2021, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment and the Waiver Amendment for the home and community-based services settings, shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.50 per hour increase for non-executive staff. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section, including wage increases for direct care staff.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for the residential services delivered on or after July 1, 2021, shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.50 per hour increase for aides in the rate methodology. For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for the residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2022 shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $1.00 per hour increase for aides in the rate methodology. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2022 such rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2023, shall include a $1.00 per hour wage increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases, who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.50 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to all aide base wages, with the remaining $0.50 to be used flexibly for base wage increases to the rate methodology for aides. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2023 the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2023, the rates will include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of the State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024 shall include a $2.50 per hour wage increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. At least $1.25 of the per hour wage increase shall be provided as a direct increase to all aide base wages, and the remaining $1.25 of the per hour wage increase shall be used flexibly for base wage increases to the rate methodology for aides. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2024, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024, the rates will include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of a State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025 shall include a $1.00 per hour wage increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.75 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to all aide base wages and the remaining $0.25 to be used flexibly for base wage increases to the rate methodology for aides. These increases shall not be used by facilities for operational and administrative expenses. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2025, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025, the rates will include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of a State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026 shall include a $0.80 per hour wage increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $0.60 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to all aide base wages and the remaining $0.20 to be used flexibly for base wage increases to the rate methodology for aides. These increases shall not be used by facilities for operational and administrative expenses. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2026, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026, the rates will include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section to the contrary, any regional wage adjuster for facilities located outside of the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will shall be no lower than 1.00, and any regional wage adjuster for facilities located within the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will shall be no lower than 1.15.

For facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of a State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include a $1.20 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. These increases shall not be used by facilities for operational and administrative expenses. In addition, for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Also, for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-588, eff. 7-1-24; 104-2, eff. 6-16-25.)

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.4i)

Sec. 5-5.4i. Rates and reimbursements.

(a) Within 30 days after July 6, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 100-23), the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements to fund a minimum of a $0.75 per hour wage increase for front-line personnel, including, but not limited to, direct support persons, aides, front-line supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in community-based provider organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (y) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

(b) Within 30 days after June 4, 2018 (the effective date of Public Act 100-587), the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements to fund a minimum of a $0.50 per hour wage increase for front-line personnel, including, but not limited to, direct support persons, aides, front-line supervisors, qualified intellectual disabilities professionals, nurses, and non-administrative support staff working in community-based provider organizations serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (bb) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section.

(c) Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, subject to federal approval, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements in effect on June 30, 2019 for community-based providers for persons with Developmental Disabilities by 3.5%. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules under subsection (ii) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this Section, including wage increases for direct care staff.

(d) For community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.20 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. These increases shall not be used by community-based providers for operational or administrative expenses. In addition, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined by rule by the Department. For services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department.

The establishment of and any changes to the rate methodologies for community-based services provided to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment and shall be defined in rule by the Department. The Department shall adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized by Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17; 100-587, eff. 6-4-18; 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.