State Senator Laura Murphy receives 2023 IARF Champion Award

State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Laura Murphy (Des Plaines) was presented the 2023 IARF Champion Award by Josh Evans, President & CEO during the Association's 2023 IARF Educational Conference & Expo at the East Peoria Embassy Suites.

The IARF Champion Award recognizes individuals, groups, and/or organizations that put forth significant effort(s) to support, advance, and/or raise awareness of the importance of community-based services and supports for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illnesses.

"This year, the Illinois General Assembly made an historic investment in frontline staff serving and supporting persons with disabilities, increasing Direct Support Professional (DSP) wage rates by $2.50/hour," said Josh Evans, IARF President & CEO. "Leader Murphy led the charge in the Illinois Senate through bipartisan legislation (SB 2026) that received nearly 3,500 witness slips supporting the bill during Senate committee discussions. This leadership and support translated to a major win for DSPs and disability services in Illinois."

Assistant Majority Leader Murphy is Chair of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, and serves on multiple other committees including Appropriations, Public Health, and Local Government, among others. A graduate of Illinois State University, Leader Murphy spent 20 years as an active member of the Des Plaines community, including serving eight years as an alderman.

"I am honored to receive this award. It was my mission this year to ensure those who care for the disabled population received some recognition of the importance of their work," said Murphy. "These professionals are champions they empower and enable individuals with disabilities to thrive, contribute and lead fulfilling lives. They deserve our respect, and I will continue to support and fight for these incredible professionals."

The 2023 IARF Educational Conference & Expo: Leading, Learning, and Innovating: was attended by over 350 organizational leaders, clinicians, professionals, and para-professionals from community-based providers of services and supports for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses from across Illinois.

IARF (Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities) is Illinois largest trade association representing community-based provider serving children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses. Our members provide services in over 900 locations throughout Illinois.