WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Illinois Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The Department of Human Services (DHS) supports and partners with many initiatives throughout the Sate of Illinois. DHS aims at increasing the availability, accessibility and/or quality of life and public services for thousands of Illinois families.

Illinois Department of Human Services
Springfield Office
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, IL? 62762
Phone: 800-843-6154
217-557-2134 (TTY)

Illinois Department of Human Services
Chicago Office
401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Phone: 800-843-6154
TTY: 800-447-6404

The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DHS), Illinois Department of Human Services, services and supports individuals with developmental disabilities and provides help to individuals with developmental disabilities to help them achieve as much independence as possible.

Division of Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Services
319 E. Madison, Suite 4N
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: DHS Helpline: 888-DD-PLANS
TTY - 866-376-8446

The Division of Developmental Disabilities, Illinois Department of Human Services, provides services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Division of Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Services
319 E. Madison, Suite 4N
Springfield, IL 6270l
Phone: 888-337-5267
DHS Help Line: 888-376-8446 TTY

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, is the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and heir families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Their goal is to help customers find quality employment that pays a living wage and offers a chance for advancement.

Department of Human Services
Division of Rehabilitation Services
100 S Grand Avenue E
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Phone: 800-843-6154
TTY: 800-447-6404

Sheltered Employment

The Illinois Department of Human Services work incentive planning and Assistance Program and Day Services for People with Developmental Disabilities helps individuals make informed choices about going to work and provide skill training or job coaches to help people with developmental disabilities succeed in the workplace.

Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Rehabilitative Services
100 S. Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Phone: 217-524-7065
TTY: 800-447-6404
Fax: 217-557-6856

DHS regular work programs for persons with developmental disabilities provide long-term employment opportunities in a sheltered workplace. These programs help maintain work-related skills for persons whose functional levels require supervision and assistance. Training focuses on the particular skills associated with contract work and on improving physical capacity, stamina, production rates and accuracy. Attention is also paid to improving communication and interpersonal skills.

The Department of Human Services requires that sheltered workshops in Illinois be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF requires an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

For more information about CARF accreditation, or call their main office in Tucson, AZ at 888-281-6531.

Competitive Employment

DHS, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services is also responsible for supported employment. Supported employment helps people with developmental disabilities work in the competitive workforce. Services provided to supported employment placements include supervision, advocacy, ongoing assessment, training and supports related to achieving outcomes, counseling and follow-up. The Illinois DHS also operates eleven developmental centers, which are residential programs serving people whose disabilities are complicated by severe medical or behavioral needs. Developmental training helps adults with disabilities prepare to enter the workplace. This training targets fine and gross motor skills, personal care, communication and interpersonal skills and vocational skills. Residents have a 50/50 split of classroom time and paid work. In addition, the DHS supported employment services can place workers with developmental disabilities in public employment.

The Illinois Department of Human Services supported employment helps people with developmental disabilities work in the competitive workforce. Services provided to supported employment placements include supervision, advocacy, ongoing assessment, training and supports related to achieving outcomes, counseling and follow-up.

Illinois Department of Human Services
Family Community Resource Center
100 S. Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Phone: 800-843-6154
TTY 800-447-6404
Fax: 217-557-6856

Health and Safety

Regulation/ Admin Code that govern health and safety req: Part 350 of the Illinois Administrative Code addresses how the Health and Safety Act (III. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 48, par. 137.1 et seq.) and the Safety Inspection and Education Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 48, par. 59.01 et seq.) protect public employees. The Health and Safety Act requires that employers provide to their employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to the employees. The Act also requires that employees comply with occupational safety and health standards adopted under the Act and with rules issued under the Act which are applicable to their own actions and conduct.

Under the Safety Inspection and Education Act the Illinois Department of Labor is authorized to enforce these standards, to conduct inspections, and to issue citations for violations of these standards.

To report concerns about the health and safety of a public employee, contact:
Chicago Manager
Department of Labor
Division of Safety Inspection and Education
State of Illinois Building
160 N. LaSalle, Ste. C-1300
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-793-2800
TTY: 888-758-6053
Fax: 312-793-5257

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees the enforcement of health and safety regulations in the private sector and should be contacted with any concerns about the work environment.

OSHA area office locations
Calumet City Area Office
1600 167th Street, Suite 9
Calumet City, Illinois 60409
708 891-3800
708 862-9659 FAX

Chicago North Area Office
701 Lee Street - Suite 950
Des Plains, Illinois 60016
847-803-4800
847-390-8220 FAX

Fairview Heights Area Office
11 Executive Drive, Suite 11
Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208
618-632-8612
618-632-5712 FAX

North Aurora Area Office
365 Smoke Tree Plaza
North Aurora, IL 60542
630-896-8700
630-892-2160 FAX

Peoria Area Office
1320 West Commerce Drive
Peoria, Illinois 61615-1462
309-589-7033
309-589-7326 FAX

Private sector employers can request a free health and safety evaluation from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Onsite Safety & Health Consultation Program
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
500 E. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-558-2811
Fax: 217-558-4044

Chicago Office
Onsite Safety & Health Consultation Program
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
100 West Randolph, Suite 3-400
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 800-972-4216 or 312-814-2337
Fax: 312-814-7238

Public employers are encouraged to schedule a free advisory inspection and can set one up by calling one of the following Illinois Department of Labor offices.

Illinois Department of Labor
1 West Old State Capitol Plaza
Room 300
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-782-6206
Fax: 217-782-0596

The Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program provides free consultation service to help employers improve their occupational safety and health management systems and to help employers comply with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. The program also helps provide safe and healthy workplaces for employees by helping the employer locate and remove existing hazards in the facility, thereby reducing injuries and illnesses.

Illinois Onsite Consultation
Industrial Services Division
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State of Illinois Center, Suite 3-400
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 312-814-2337
Fax: 312-814-7238

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Illinois Area Offices provide safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Calumet City Area Office
1600 167th Street, Suite 12
Calumet City, Illinois 60409
Phone: 708-891-3800
Fax: 708-862-9659

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Adults with Disabilities Abuse Program receives and assesses reports about adults whose disabilities impair their ability to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation in their own home. After OIG determines that there is a need to prevent abuse, and that the individual desires services, the Program refers him or her to the appropriate office within the department to develop and implement a service plan. Any adult (between 18 and 59 years old) who has been abused, neglected or exploited by a person who shares his or her private, unlicensed home and who has mental or physical disabilities that impair his or her ability to seek or obtain protection is covered by this Program. The OIG hotline is 800-368-1463. For more information, contact:

Illinois Department of Human Services
Office of the Inspector General
100 S Grand Avenue E
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Phone: 800-843-6154
TTY: 800-447-6404

To report abuse /neglect of a resident of a Department of Human Services-operated facility or persons with mental illness, a developmental or physical disability, call the OIG 24-hour Hotline 800-368-1463

DHS Local Office Staff
Executive Office of the Inspector General
866-814-1113 (voice)
800-524-8794 (TTY)

Adults with Disabilities Abuse Intervention, Illinois Department of Human Services, conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults with disabilities in a private residence and connects the victims with needed protection and services.

OIG coordinates with local law enforcement and with local and State social service entities to connect victims to needed services. OIG also has authority to pursue orders of protection, guardianship, or emergency placement in another setting.

24-hour OIG Hotline : 800-368-1463 (Voice or TTY)

Web: website

Protection and Advocacy

Protection and Advocacy in Illinois is administered by Equip for Equality. Equip for Equality advances the human and civil rights of children and adults with mental and physical disabilities in Illinois through its various programs, including Self-Advocacy Assistance, Legal Services Program, Training Institute on Disability Rights, Public Policy Program and Abuse Investigation Unit. Equip for Equality strives to enhance people's ability to advocate on their own behalf, promotes full inclusion of people with disabilities, challenges discriminatory practices, ensures that services and supports are provided in the least restrictive environment, protects the fundamental right of self-determination, and seeks to prevent abuse and neglect in community programs, nursing homes, hospitals and state-operated institutions.

The goals of the Abuse Investigation Unit are to ensure that individuals with disabilities are safe, that public and private facilities and programs provide quality treatment and programming, and that State oversight and investigative systems are effective.

Equip for Equality
20 North Michigan, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 800-537-2632
TTY: 800-610-2779
Fax: 312-341-0295

An independent, private, not-for-profit organization designated by the governor in 1985 to implement the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A;) System in Illinois, Equip for Equality has broad federal and state statutory powers. These powers include broad access to private and public facilities, their participants and staff, and service recipient records and other facility documents. The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois. It is the only statewide, cross-disability, comprehensive advocacy organization providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, and disability rights education while also engaging in public policy and legislative advocacy and conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities.

Equip for Equality
20 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312-341-0022 Se Habla Espanola ASL
800-537-2632 (Voice)
800-610-2779 (TTY)
312-341-0295 (Fax)

Established in 2000, the Illinois Department of Human Services Statewide Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities provides a forum for various stakeholders in the developmental disabilities service system to come together and advise the Division of Developmental Disabilities on a host of issues. Council members include individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, service providers, and other professionals. Information about the advisory council and its meetings is available by phone:

Illinois Council on developmental Disabilities
830 S. Spring Street
Springfield, IL? 62704

Greater Illinois: 217-524-2515
Chicago and Metro Area: 312-814-2735