The crazy Committee Deadline week continues.
TODAY – Please support the following bills by submitting witness slips. For those family members, individuals and advocates not affiliated with an organization, you can either describe yourself (self-advocate, concerned parent, advocate etc).
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.
HB4736 – Prohibits MFTD kids from having to be on Medicaid Managed Care. CLICK HERE to submit a witness slip today!
Yesterday was also a very busy day – Here is an update on bills that were heard.
FY19 Budget – The Arc of Illinois’ Katherine Hamann, testified at the Senate Appropriations Committee on the FY19 budget and funding around people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
SB2424 – The Arc also submitted testimony and Thane Dykstra testified on behalf of SB2424 which would help to encourage community living for people who have a dual diagnosis. Bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Human Services Committee.
SB3237 – Appeal rights for individuals, families and providers related to OIG findings in CILAs was postponed in order to respond to specific concerns. We hope this will move next week.
SB3508 (& HB5622) – DSP Wage Increase – passed out of the Senate Human Services Committee 6 to 3. Thanks to all the more than 2000 people who slipped in support of the bill!
HB1592 – The bill that would eliminate the subminimum wage in 4 years was before the Labor and Commerce Committee. It came short by 2 votes and did not pass out of committee. In regards to this bill, the Arc of Illinois was part of discussions about the bill, but decided to remain neutral on this vote, while the Arc public policy committee lays out an employment/subminimum wage policy statement. We are supportive in principle but are concerned about the lack of any funding to provide individuals in sheltered workshops transition to employment and/or meaningful day programs. I believe we will hear more about this idea soon.
Please note, there are many more bills to come so I will be email again to update! Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for all the advocacy! Meg
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org