Rep Golar’s Bonding bill, House Bill 6240 in the House Executive Committee yesterday was heard as a subject matter only hearing so, no vote was taken. State Comptroller Topinka was opposed to the bill and testified as well. The Arc will continue to follow this important bill and work with Rep Golar to advance HB 6240. Thanks for all of your comments yesterday. They were very helpful. For now please ask your House members to become a co-sponsor on HB 6240. We now have 13 co-sponsors and need more especially Republican members to show bi-partisan support. Illinois needs to pay its community providers promptly!I was pleased to meet with Tamar Heller, Ph.D., Dale Mitchell and their team on the first year draft report on the evaluation of the Integrated Care Program, Phase One. They will be releasing their formal report and recommendations in a few weeks. One thing I can share with you is that more hospitals and physicians are now signing up to participate in the Integrated Care Pilot. Dale Mitchell will present on the evaluation at the January Executive Forum meeting of The Arc. The Arc will also have an update on managed care at our Leadership Conference in February.
In Washington D.C. Senators debated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for ratification. The Arc is a strong supporter of the CRPD and shared with you Action Alerts to get support for CRPD. Senator Durbin is a strong supporter of CRPD and spoke to this on the Senate floor this afternoon. While the vote received a majority of votes it appears there is more work for advocates to do!
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@www.thearcofil.org
