The Arc Team continues meeting today with legislators to support the extension of the
state income tax in the Capitol  . At this time, there are not enough votes in the Illinois
House of Representatives to support the extension. Without the extension, cuts of up
to 25% are anticipated and the elimination of all grant programs. We need 60 votes to
pass the extension. Right now we can only count on 34 legislators voting to support
the extension. This is a serious situation for disability services.

Today, we may see the House begin passing a “Doomsday Budget” in case the
extension of the income tax is not supported. Many DHS  services will be eliminated
or severely cut in the “Doomsday” Budget”

Your legislators need to support the extension of the income tax at 5%. Right now
we do not have the votes. Our futures depend upon your advocacy.

Call your legislators in their Springfield office and ask them to support:

  1. Extension of the state income tax rate
  2. Support the $1.00 increase for Direct Service Professionals

Identify your Illinois State Senator and Representative by clicking on this link: http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/addressfinder.aspx

Arc in the Capitol


The Arc Team

Kim, Toni, Rep Evans & Shirley
Rep McCasey & Sam


Arc with Rep Jones 

New Exec at SILC

The Board of Directors of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois is
pleased to announce the selection of Sarah Durbin as its next Executive Director.
Sarah will begin her employment on June 16, 2014.

Sarah is currently the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for Paraquad- the
Center for Independent Living in St. Louis, Missouri. For over 20 years, Sarah has
been a part of the independent living movement including Program Manager of
Community Supports at Access Living in Chicago and over 10 years as Executive
Director of the Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living in Rock Falls.
Sarah also was the Assistant Director for Administration at the Great Lakes ADA
Center and had 10 years of increasing responsibility with the Girl Scouts of
America.

I look forward to have the opportunity to spend two weeks with Sarah providing
orientation to the SILC of Illinois. I will complete my employment with the SILC of
Illinois at the end of June.

I wish the disability movement in Illinois the best of luck as you continue to
advocate for an improved quality of life for all individuals with disabilities.

William L. Gorman, Executive Director
Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois

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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