Interesting day regarding payments for services rendered to individuals with intellectual
and other developmental disabilities and the recent court order in Ligas.
This afternoon, I was talking to the Division of Developmental Disabilities and they had
turned over another $70 million in billing approved for providers to the Comptroller.
Then some of you had read in the papers that the State could not make those payments!
As a result, I called Equip for Equality to learn that an emergency motion has been filed.
From the order, “to direct Felicia Norwood, Director of the Illinois Department of
Healthcare and Family Services; James Dimas, Director of the Illinois Department of
Human Services; and Leslie Munger, Illinois Comptroller to appear before this Court and
provide an explanation as to why the State failed to comply with this Court’s Order, and
to provide a date certain in the immediate future when the State will fully comply before
this Court holds them in civil contempt of court…”
Needless to say, there is a lot of confusion over the state’s fiscal condition.
I intend to be in court tomorrow!
See Equip’s statement and motion below.
Tony
Statement from Equip for Equality on Ligas v. Norwood
Today (Tuesday), Counsel for Plaintiffs and Intervenors in Ligas v. Norwood filed an emergency motion for the State to show why it should not be held in contempt for failing
to make the court-ordered payments for people with disabilities. The emergency motion
will be heard tomorrow morning at 9:45 before Judge Janice Johnson Coleman at 219
South Dearborn Street, Courtroom 1801 in Chicago.
“The Consent Decree and Judge Coleman’s two orders make clear that payment for
people with developmental disabilities must be paid,” said Barry C. Taylor, VP for Civil
Rights and Systemic Litigation at Equip for Equality and lead counsel in the Ligas case.
“At tomorrow’s hearing the State will have to explain to the Judge why payments have
not been made.”
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org
