Carbondale Reporter

Dave Severin, House Representative of Illinois General Assembly, discussed the consequences of House Bill 793 during a meeting 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", said Severin. He emphasized on the gravity of the issue saying, "This is an important issue and we need to stand firm across both sides of the aisle."

If passed, House Bill 793 will prevent employers from paying developmentally disabled individuals less than minimum wage. The legislation reads: "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 been representing the 116th district since Jan. 2017. His assignments include serving on various committees like House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; House Mental Health & Addiction Committee; and House Veterans' Affairs Committee. In addition, he is also a Republican spokesperson for both House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee and House Energy & Environment Committee.

However, critics argue that while this bill might be well-intended, it fails to consider some unique aspects. John Huelskamp, Community Link Executive Director expressed his concerns over this bill stating that some people who work at these workshops are there for more than just pay and imposing a minimum wage requirement could mean no work for them at all, as reported by Fox 2.