Illinois DHS Employment First Illinois Policy

“Illinois has adopted an Employment First policy via the Employment First Act (20 ILCS 40) in 2013. This law states that “competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age” and requires all State agencies to follow the policy as well as ensure its effective implementation within their programs and services.

Additionally, Illinois has an Executive Order (14-08) that requires the participation of multiple state agencies to fully implement Employment First across the State. The state agencies include: the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Community College Board, and the Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Order requires the above agencies to look at everything from policies to funding to partnerships all focused around the goal of integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.”