Pat Quinn
GOVERNOR
January 8, 2013
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20050
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing you in strong support of Brian Rubin of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, to serve as a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Throughout his life, Brian has had a long history of advocating on behalf of children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities. My administration has worked directly with Brian, and I know that he would be an outstanding appointment to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Brian has a deep and personal connection to the disability community. He and his wife of 36 years, Linda, are the parents of three children, one of whom is in the Autism Spectrum. Furthermore, as someone who is fully dedicated to the disability community, Brian’s practice as an attorney is limited to working on special needs issues and future planning for people with intellectual disabilities.
In Illinois, Brian has served with distinction in the following capacities:
1.) Past Chairperson of the State of Illinois Department of Human Services Statewide Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities.
2.) A member of the State of Illinois Department of Human Services Quality of Care Board under three Governor’s.
3.) A member of the Strategic Planning Team for the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities.
4.) As the current Co-Chair of the State of Illinois Autism Task Force, which was established by the Illinois Legislature in 2005.
5.) As the current President of The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors.
6.) As an elected Village Trustee in Buffalo Grove, Illinois for twelve years.
As Governor of the State of Illinois, I wholeheartedly recommend that you appoint Brian Rubin as a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Sincerely,
Pat Quinn
Governor
EVERYONE MATTERS: The Hollis Boys speaking up for their sister after their house was spray painted by Vandals “RETARDS get out of town and more…” The boys put this video together and it is worth a view:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151414591126258&set=vb.295429577163605&type=2&theater
CANDIDATES OPPOSE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER. Last week I met Dan Wagner. He called me about his concern about school board candidates opposing the development of a new Early Childhood Center in their community. In response to his concern, I asked Cindi Swanson to represent The Arc at the school board meeting. Cindi did a great job but the battle continues. Families who have children with disabilities need to be aware of where public officials stand on disability issues because public policy effects every aspect of your children’s life from education to health care and community living. Learn more about this issue by viewing this TV interview that Dan shared with me:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/20499779/school-board-candidate-against-new-school-for-special-needs-students
LEGISLATOR SUPPORTS STATE INSTITUTIONS: We need your Senators and Representatives to support the Governor’s Rebalancing Initiative by closing state institutions. Representative Charles Meier, a new state representative, has introduced House Bill 97. This bill Amends the Community Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall for a 6-month period from the effective date of the amendatory Act observe and track the progress of former residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center who were removed from that facility after January 1, 2012. Provides that after the 6-month observation and tracking period, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly that describes: (1) the new venues of care for the former residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center; (2) costs to the Department of Human Services as a result of the closure of the Jacksonville Developmental Center; (3) cost savings or increases to the Department of Human Services due to the new venues of care for the former residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center; and (4) the injuries or deaths to former residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center in their new venues of care. Provides that the report must be submitted to the General Assembly within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that from the effective date of the amendatory Act until 3 months after the filing of the report with the General Assembly, the Department of Human Services may not remove a resident from any State-operated developmental center without the consent of the resident of the center or the guardian of that resident.
ADVOCATES SPEAKING OUT: Advocates are speaking out in Champaign and our good friend Jennifer is assisting self advocates to find their voice to be active in their community. Check out this news story:
http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=452672
POSITION OPENING: Neumann Family Services is looking for a well- qualified Developmental Disability Residential Senior Manager, QIDP.
To apply: send resume and cover letter to :
Human Resources
Neumann Family Services
5547 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60640
773-769-1476 (fax)
hr@neumannfamilyservices.org
