Illinois Advocacy

Autism Speaks advocates to protect the rights, services, and supports of people with autism. Through our 2024 state government affairs work in Illinois, we helped improve access to ABA for autistic children on Medicaid through work within the regulatory system and secure funding for direct service professional (DSP) wage increases. 

Because of Autism Speaks’ federal & state advocacy, Illinois…

• Receives funding to train future health professionals at the University of Illinois at Chicago to provide better health care services for autistic Illinoisans.
• Research institutions have been awarded over $35 million in autism research funding since FY15, including $6 million in FY23 (most recent year the information is available for).
• Passed $80 million in funding for a $1 per hour wage increase for direct support professionals who provide home and community-based services.
• Medicaid staff continue to engage with advocates to improve autism services for Illinois children enrolled in Medicaid and address the significant barriers to accessing ABA therapy. 
• Has an autism insurance law requiring health plan coverage of relevant services including applied behavior analysis (ABA) in state-regulated private insurance plans and Medicaid
• Received a $150,000 grant, through Kevin and Avonte’s Law, to support a local organization helping prevent deaths and injuries associated with autistic individuals wandering from safety.