Public Accountability Report Public Accountability Report

2025 Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehabilitation
Mission Statement The Division of Rehabilitation Services assists individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals in the areas of employment, education, and independent living. 
Program Goals and Objectives
  1. Provide world-class customer service and support to individuals with disabilities to assist them in achieving their employment goals.
    1. By June 30, 2026, increase the number of persons in supported employment to 1,600.
    2. By June 30, 2026, increase the rehabilitation rate (success rate) to 48.0%.
    3. By June 30, 2026, increase the number of new applications taken to 16,000.
    4. By June 30, 2026, increase the average hourly wage earned by customers to $18.00.
Source of Funds General Revenue Fund, Illinois Veterans' Rehabilitation Fund, Vocational Rehabilitation Fund Statutory Authority 20 ILCS 2405
Fiscal Year 2026 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2025 Actual Fiscal Year 2025 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2024 Actual Fiscal Year 2023 Actual
Input Indicators
Total expenditures - all sources (in thousands) $ 263,489.9 $ 163,052.4 $ 246,048.3 $ 139,273.1 $ 126,706.2
Total expenditures - state appropriated funds (in thousands) $ 263,489.9 $ 163,052.4 $ 246,048.3 $ 139,273.1 $ 126,706.2
Average monthly full-time equivalents 570.8 570.8 570.8 570.8 570.8
Output Indicators
New applications taken 16,276 15,234 15,189 14,064 13,150
New service plans developed 13,471 12,590 12,412 11,611 10,828
High school students receiving vocational rehabilitation services: Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP) and transition 14,640 14,270 14,199 13,200 12,462
Outcome Indicators
Persons in supported employment 1,653 1,545 1,581 1,496 1,328
Rehabilitation rate of vocational rehabilitation program participants who become successfully employed 38.80% 42.20% 46.00% 45.60% 46.90%
Average hourly wage earned by vocational rehabilitation customers (in dollars) $ 17.70 $ 17.66 $ 17.29 $ 16.81 $ 16.22
Number of individuals with significant disabilities earning the same wages and benefits as nondisabled workers in the same job 3,976 4,154 4,000 4,224 4,449
Efficiency/Cost-Effectiveness Indicators
Average lifetime cost per rehabilitation (in dollars) $ 7,825.00 $ 8,054.00 $ 7,642.00 $ 7,640.00 $ 7,870.00

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