Back to Chicago today for a meeting with Shirley Perez and Acting Developmental Disabilities
Director Greg Fenton. On the agenda for today’s meeting will be Ligas and Community
Integration. Should be a productive meeting.
Tony
DHS Acting Secretary Bassi
Yesterday Katherine and I had a very positive and frank conversation with Acting Dept. of
Human Services Secretary Greg Bassi. I told the Secretary that I have admired his standup
leadership by taking the tough questions at recent legislative hearings on the grant
suspension and DHS budget, not that I liked what he had to say. I asked him about the
move from a big firm law practice to work in the public sector. He indicated his desire to do
meaningful work impacting people. He did indicate how hard the Secretary’s position is at
every level with this budget crisis. Every decision he makes carries major responsibilities. We
did discuss The Arc’s opposition to Integrated Care Phase III (putting all developmental
disability services under managed care) and our call to close six of the seven state
developmental centers here in Illinois. It was a worthwhile discussion.
The Acting Secretary was hired as General Counsel to the Governor and will assume those
duties after a new Secretary is hired. In that role he will continue to play a key role in human
services, especially Ligas and the other Olmstead settlements, Coburn and Williams.
I look forward to working with Greg Bassi in whatever role he assumes within the Rauner
Administration. He is a good man that we can work with.
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
