Thanks to all those who joined last week’s Executive Forum! Sorry about the late issues with the phone line.
SAVE THE DATE – June 6 Executive Forum (Medicaid Managed Care)
Following up from the Executive Forum:
1) Please send me a contact who might want to participate in a short term employment/subminimum wage discussion. We are looking for proactive legislative and administrative policies that could support a growth in supported employment and integrated community day. Our discussion was a good start but we need to flush out some of the ideas.
2) See below the many requests to submit witness slips this week for VERY IMPORTANT BILLS – today and tomorrow especially.
3) Per our discussion of HB1592, Eliminating the Subminimum Wage. I am sure you heard, but the bill has been posted and sent to House Labor and Commerce Committee (here are the committee members). As we discussed the Arc executive committee has requested that our Public Policy Committee develop an employment policy statement. We have not yet taken a position on the bill but have concerns about the lack of funding for an effort to transition away from subminimum wage as well as concerns about the timeline. If you want to submit a slip, here is the link.
More soon! Meg
SB2424 – Diversion Homes – CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip in support of this bill by April 10, 3 pm
This creates a model of 6 homes in communities across Illinois developed specifically to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have significant behavioral health needs and are at risk of going into an institution. The homes will have staff who are trained to support people with a dual diagnosis and services will be allowed to be more robust and targeted unlike the general CILA home. CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip in support of this bill by April 10, 3 pm when the Senate Human Services Committee meets.
HB5163 – Community Care for Persons with Disabilities Act – CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip in support of this bill by April 11 at 3 pm.
SB 3041 – Amendment #1, also being heard April 11 at 3:30 pm – CLICK HERE to submit a slip (different than house bill slip!).
This bill allow for local counties, municipalities, townships to create community development boards that can give money away to support I/DD. This already occurs with mental health boards. This change would means that local communities could create an additional funding stream to support I/DD services – either to address unmet needs like people waiting on the PUNS waiting list or allow for innovative programs not funded by Medicaid to be supported. CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip in support of this bill by April 11 at 3 pm. It will be heard in the Property Tax Subcommittee of the House Revenue Committee.
Here are fact sheet 1, fact sheet 2, and map that Lynn shared about the bill so you can share it with your legislators.
SB3508 (& HB5622) – DSP Wage Increase – CLICK HERE to support a witness slip in support of this bill by April 10, 3 pm
This bill would increase the wages for DSPs to $15 per hour over two years in order to try to help address the staffing crisis people with disabilities are experiencing. CLICK HERE to support a witness slip in support of this bill by April 10, 3 pm when the Senate Human Services Committee meets.
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org