5/9/2008
Arc Capitol Update
Tuesday evening the House Appropriations - Human Services Committee had another hearing on the budget. This one was a little different because we were requested to highlight three priorities to be considered in the new state budget. The hearing was well attended. The Arc's top priorities included:
*The transition of 220 individuals out of state institutions
*Moving 2,316 children and adults off the waiting list per recommendation of the "Blueprint for Redesign."
*Increasing community rates by $250 million or 20% per recommendation of the "Blueprint for Redesign" in addition the need for an indexed cost of doing business increase. . . .
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5/9/2008
Arc Board Elections and Awards
I am pleased to share with you the remaining awards given at our convention and biographies of our newly elected Directors to The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/6/2008
Arc Testimony at Special House Appropriations Hearing
Here is my testimony for today's special hearing on the Dept. of Human Services budget. I was asked to limit my comments to three areas within the budget, couldn't do that! Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/5/2008
Arc and State Budget in a Hole
We continue to hear about a budget short fall this year of $750 million. Legislators need to hear from you that we need new revenue not cuts to human services! State lawmakers have 26 days to pass a budget before a super majority is needed after May 31st. I think we are headed for another overtime session. I head to the Capitol tomorrow for important meetings and the House Appropriations Human Services Committee hearing at 3:00 p.m., Room 114 in the Capitol. Story from the Chicago Tribune on the state budget follows. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/5/2008
Arc and Importance of Community Services
Here is an excellent letter to the editor on the importance of funding community services from the Chicago Tribune. I recommend that you write a similar letter to the editor to your local community newspaper. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/5/2008
Arc and Follow the Blueprint
This Op Ed ran in today's State Journal Register in Springfield. Well done Lester! Have you talked to your legislators about the importance of the "Blueprint for Redesign?" Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/4/2008
Arc House Approp Hearing and I Need a Raise!
The Compensation Review Board has recommended that legislators' salaries be raised by 10%! What about direct care professionals who would not get a raise in the proposed state budget? Story from Chicago Tribune follows. Also, the House Appropriations Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 6th, 3:00 p.m., Room 114 in the Capitol. It is a subject matter hearing on the Department of Human Services budget. I have been invited to attend and speak on the Division of Developmental Disabilities Budget. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/4/2008
Arc and School Bus Shocker
Terrible story about violence on the school bus! This was also covered by Fox TV this week. Story from Chicago Sun Times. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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5/2/2008
Arc Legislative Update
Here is our latest legislative update prepared by Phil Milsk our Governmental Affairs Consultant. Phil will be covering the activities of the General Assembly while we are at the convention this week. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/25/2008
Arc Update and Special Appropriation Hearing
After last week's press conference, the rally at the Capitol, the hearing on the "Blueprint" and meeting with Deputy Governor Louanner Peters, I thought we might have a short break before our Annual Convention. Not the case! . . .
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4/25/2008
New Arc US Exec Appointed
I was talking with John Foley today and it sounds like we have a real leader in our new national Exec! Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/23/2008
Arc and Worrying About All Services
I know you are aware that we have a great strategic alliance with the Family Support Network. That alliance has allowed us to spread our advocacy to the benefit of both organizations. We appreciate Charlotte Cronin's leadership all around the state as she works to inform and inspire advocates so we can all work together improving services across all community settings. Her comments follow about her concern about the need for community supports/services in Illinois. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/22/2008
Arc Memo from John Foley of Arc US
Important message from John Foley, Acting Executive Director of The Arc of the United States follows including:
*Positive Parenting Survey
*Don't Lose Your Tax-Exempt Status
*Housing Roundtable
Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/22/2008
Arc and Center Waiting for Money
State deficit hurting local services for people with developmental disabilities in the Autism Program of Illinois.
Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/21/2008
Arc and Mom Lobbies to Brighten Future
Nice story about Ellen Garber Bronfeld, who is also a member of The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors! Tony Paulauski
The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/21/2008
Arc and Best Buddies Story
Good story on Best Buddies from Chicago Tribune. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/21/2008
Arc and Waiting List Lawsuit Filed in NJ
New Jersey Protection & Advocacy organization files lawsuit over the waiting list! This story sounds an awful lot like Illinois. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/18/2008
Arc and Time to Discuss Capital Bill Funding
Could you use an extra $150,000 for capital expenses? Legislators are in their district offices next week so it is the perfect opportunity to discuss the importance of a Capital Bill that includes community organizations like yours. Discussions are taking place now so your legislators need to hear from you and that they include our plan for $90 million so that each community organization can apply for up to $150,000 for capital expenses. I have attached our Capital Proposal for your use. See story from the State Journal Register about the capital bill which includes $25 billion, that is right, $25 billion! Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/18/2008
Arc and Supportive Housing Legislation Introduced
New supportive housing legislation has been introduced by Congressperson Biggert in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Section 811 is the only federal housing program solely dedicated to assisting the lowest income people with serious and long-term disabilities to live independently in the community by providing integrated affordable rental housing linked with voluntary services and supports. When the Illinois Delegation was in Washington D.C. last month, this was a bill we were working on. It was my hope that Congressperson Judy Biggert would introduce this bill so we could show bipartisan support. Well she did it! Special thanks to Art Dykstra and Jim Hogan for also asking the Congressperson to introduce this important legislation. You can now ask your Congressperson to become a co-sponsor of H.R. 5772. See summary below. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/17/2008
Arc and Blueprint Shows Us The Way
The room was jammed packed with supporters for the "Blueprint for System Redesign for Illinois. The House Disability Services Committee held a second hearing on the Blueprint, last night. This hearing was for the committee to hear from those who support the Blueprint and those opposed . . .
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4/16/2008
Arc and Rally in the Capitol Great Success
Hundreds of advocates gathered in the Capitol for our annual Family Day at the Capitol. Advocates called for new appropriations to move children and adults off the waiting list and funding improvements for community services all included in SB 2033. . . .
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4/16/2008
Arc and State Income Tax Hike on Hold
We talked about this last week at the Illinois Conference of Executives of The Arc. You may recall The Arc and other advocates met with Senator Cullerton to discuss funding an annual indexed cost of living increase for human services in this legislation. Story from Crains follows. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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4/16/2008
Arc and Lawmakers Half Finished or Just Beginning?
There is talk in the Capitol about another long summer legislative session again. Story from the State Journal Register about the business that needs to be done before May 31st. Tony Paulauski The Arc of Illinois 708-206-1930
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