This week The Arc will meet with other advocates to discuss media strategies for the
Going Home Campaign. On Wednesday, Dec. 18th, 11:00 a.m., the House
Appropriations Human Services Committee will hold a Subject Matter Hearing on the
1115 Waiver Process. The Hearing will be in C-600, 6th Floor, Bilandic Building, 160
N. LaSalle, Chicago. Should be an interesting hearing. More on the 1115 below.Governor Quinn has been honored once again by a national organization for his
Rebalancing Initiative! TASH at its annual convention here in Chicago honored the
Governor. In the Governor’s remarks, he recognized Mark Doyle as his quarterback on
the Governor’s Rebalancing Initiative. The Arc is very pleased with TASH’s recognition
of Governor Quinn’s leadership here in Illinois. Well done TASH!
Governor Quinn
TASH Mission: As a leader in disability advocacy for more than 35 years, the mission of
TASH is to promote the full inclusion and participation of children and adults with
significant disabilities in every aspect of their community, and to eliminate the social
injustices that diminish human rights. These things are accomplished through collaboration
among self-advocates, families, professionals, policy-makers, advocates and many others
who seek to promote equity, opportunity and inclusion.
1115 MEDICAID TRANSFORMATION WAIVER
It looks like it is going to take a little more time to produce the Medicaid 1115 Waiver. I will let
you know when it is available so you can provide your comments.
The Illinois Medicaid 1115 Waiver Stakeholder Engagement Meetings and Webinar
scheduled for December 19 and 20 have been postponed. We are working to reschedule
the meetings for the week of January 6 and will send out an invitation once we have
determined the details.
The meetings are being rescheduled to allow more time for the State and Health Management Associates to give appropriate consideration to the many thoughtful recommendations and
feedback that was submitted by dozens of organizations and individuals in response to the Path to Transformation concept paper.
The draft of the 1115 waiver application will also be made available at a later date than had
been planned. HMPRG will work to keep stakeholders apprised as the timeline is updated for
this process. We apologize for any inconvenience from these changes and thank you in
advance for your flexibility as we move forward with transforming Medicaid to better serve the
people of Illinois.
MURRY UPDATE
The saga in Centralia continues in a legal effort that is will bear no fruit. There is no legal right
to keep a specific state institution open. The Governor has the right to close Murray, the state institution in Centralia. I just wished that the Murray Center Parents Association would put this
time and effort into creating inclusive lives for their loved ones in the community. See story
below from the Belleville News Democrat.
Settlement conference fails to settle Murray Center lawsuit
BY ELIZABETH DONALD
News-DemocratDecember 12, 2013
No settlement was reached in the Murray Center closure lawsuit, and it will go to court in
January.
The Murray Center Parents Association is suing the state over the proposed closure of the
center, which provides full-time facilities for adults with developmental disabilities. The state
contends that people with such disabilities would have better quality of life in private,
community-based residential units than institutions, and would cut costs by about 50 percent.
But the Murray Parent Association disputes both the savings estimate and the quality of care
in the private homes. They allege that closing the center violates the residents’ civil rights
under the Americans with Disabilities Act, because moving them to smaller residential homes
deprives them of the services they need.
Association leader Rita Winkeler said some of the residents need full-time nursing care that
they could not access living in community homes.
A Clinton County court ruling Wednesday stopped the removal of 23 residents who are wards
of the state, putting their fate in line with those who have parents and guardians to advocate
for them.
On Thursday, the parties met for a settlement conference with the judge. Winkeler said it was
“very obvious” there would not be an agreement, but they debated for at least an hour before
giving up.
“The state is adamant that the center will be closing, and we are adamant that it cannot close
under these circumstances because it is a violation of their civil rights,” Winkeler said. “Going
to court is probably the best thing.”
The state attorney general’s office is representing the interests of the Illinois Department of
Human Services. Spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said they do not comment on pending matters.
The lawsuit contends that some Murray residents have disabilities so profound that they cannot
reside safely outside an institution. The Murray parents are joined in their suit by the Illinois
League of Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled.
The next court date is set for Jan. 6.
Contact reporter Elizabeth Donald at edonald@bnd.com or 239-2507.
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
