1. Governor’s Budget Address
3. Disability Legislation
4. Rally at the Capitol – April 10th
5. Position Opening at Ray Graham
6. Special Needs Information Fair in Peoria
7. Home First Illinois
8. Arc State Convention
Tony
It is going to be extremely busy this week for The Arc. “From Segregated to Customized: The Shift to Personalized Employment” seminar at the Tinley Park Convention Center has been rescheduled due to the inclement weather expected on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Governor Quinn will introduce his state budget for Fiscal Year 2014. His budget will include Rebalancing, Ligas Implementation and Managed Care all of which have a major impact on disability services/supports. We will be sending out a summary of the Governor’s budget proposal in a special report to our members.
Legislation. Here are a few of the bills we are following:
Tony, Senator Radogno and Phil discussing Arc’s Independent Living Legislation.
ü The Arc’s Independent Living Bill is Senate Bill 1550. This legislation adds the goal of independent living to the child’s IEP as a part of the transition process. Chief Sponsor is Senator Christine Radogno: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/98/SB/PDF/09800SB1550lv.pdf Ask your Senator to become a Co-Sponsor of SB 1550.
ü Employment First Bill is House Bill 2591. The Arc is working on this bill with the Governor’s Employment & Economic Opportunity for People with Disabilities Task Force. Representative Ester Golar is the Chief Sponsor: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/98/HB/PDF/09800HB2591lv.pdf ask your House Representative to become a Co-Sponsor of HB 2591
ü Bed Hold Legislation is House Bill 2451. The Arc supports this legislation that repeals the regressive policy that penalizes individuals from making home visits from their group home. Representative Lawrence Walsh is the Chief Sponsor: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/98/HB/PDF/09800HB2451lv.pdf ask your House Representative to become a Co-Sponsor for HB 2451
Rally At The Capitol. Mark April 10th on your calendars and plan to be in the State Capitol for a “Going Home Rally for Disability Advocates”. Plan on arriving at 10:30 at the Lincoln Statue outside the front of the State Capitol and make appointments with your legislators for that afternoon to discuss important disability issues and legislation. More to come…
Position Opening. Ray Graham Association is conducting a search for their Chief Development Officer position. Go to this “Position Specification” which provides more detailed information about Ray Graham Association and the specific qualifications they are looking for in our desired candidates. Please feel free to share this position opening with others you think might be a good fit for or have some interest in this attractive opportunity.
Home First Illinois. The Illinois Facility Fund and Access Living launched Home First Illinois (HFI)To address the need for integrated housing for people with disabilities. Through this initiative, IFF will develop, own, and manage accessible homes—integrated within the community—that will remain permanently affordable to very low-income people with disabilities. To learn more about this innovative program, go to this link: http://iff.org/resources/content/2/4/documents/HFI%20Overview.pdf
Special Needs Information Fair. A Special Needs Information Fair will be held on March 12th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center in downtown Peoria, IL. They have over 90 organizations participating this year and The Arc of Illinois will also be represented during this event. Go to Special Needs Information Fair for more information.
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
