Reminder! Join us for the Arc of Illinois’ Annual Convention


April 26-27, Hilton Hotel in Lisle
Now more than ever, it is critical to join with other advocates, families and providers to connect, network and voice the importance of community living! Thank you to the presenting sponsor – Uber. For self-advocates and families, there is opportunity for financial assistance. Fill out this consumer stipend application. Check out the Convention brochure

Meeting with HFS to talk about Medicaid Managed Care

The Arc of Illinois staff will be meeting with key leaders at HFS to talk about the released Medicaid Managed Care Request for Proposal . We have serious concerns about the move to roll children with significant healthcare needs into MCOs and how case management will be handled as well as network adequacy among other things. In addition, we are concerned at the reference in the RFP to Phase III whereby the MCOs would need to be able to take on the IDD population within 180 days. The Arc is extremely concerned with managed care taking over the IDD service system because of their lack of experience in community living, day programs and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We encourage others to take a look at the RFP and raise concerns with the department and legislators.

Give Your Input to DHS’ CILA and SODC Quality Scorecard Efforts

Last week, DHS held two meetings with stakeholders to talk about new quality scorecards they are planning on producing this year for state operated developmental centers and CILAs. Here are the slides from the CILA stakeholder meetings. The Arc among other groups raised concerns about how to track a person centered approach and how to ensure that the scorecards are useful to families and not punitive to providers. Questions about the goals and purpose of the score cards were also raised. You can still comment further on the idea of both the SODC and CILA Scorecards by emailing comments to DHS.GTM.Webinar@illinois.gov.

We need to keep Fighting for State Budget!

Call your state senators and demand a bargain!
You can submit testimony on Tuesday to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is holding a hearing on the DHS 2018 budget request. Protest the proposed cuts to DD services and grants!

Moodys declared that Illinois risks ‘unsustainable’ challenges without budget by May 31.

Democrats Propose ‘comeback agenda’

From the Peoria Public Radio’s Brian Mackey: A group of Democrats week released a Comeback Agenda that serves as an alternative to the Governor’s Turnaround Agenda out of frustration around the lack of progress towards a budget. State Senator Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, says “We wanted to be for something. We wanted to outline a vision of where Illinois could go.” The agenda includes a higher minimum wage, expanded access to child care, and a graduated income tax – where people with higher incomes pay a higher tax rate.” Read more

House GOP Weighing Another Healthcare Effort

Asked if the GOP health bill will come up again, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said, “Yes. As soon as we figure it out and get the votes.” A Republican leadership aide said there are currently no plans to vote on any health-care legislation this week, next week or over a weekend. House Speaker Paul Ryan is encouraging members to continue talking to each other about health care to “get to a place of yes” on a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, according to his spokeswoman AshLee Strong. She didn’t have any updates on the timing on a future vote. More from Bloomberg.

Support HR 2641 – Creates a Task Force on IDD and the Justice System

As the Arc forwards efforts to address concerns about how individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities interact with the criminal justice system. HR 2641 would create an Attorney General/Governor appointed task force that brings together advocates, families, law enforcement, judges, states attorneys and others to talk about how to improve interactions, education and support throughout the state.

On the national level, the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® (NCCJD®) is pleased to announce the release of two new publications!
1. “Competency of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability in the Criminal Justice System: A Call to Action for the Criminal Justice Community”

2. “Policing Persons with Disabilities in the 21st Century: A Call for Crisis Prevention and Procedural Justice” – p. 38

Important Dates!

• April 4 – Executive Forum, Webinar
• April 26-27 – Arc Convention, Lisle
• May 24 – Going Home Rally, Springfield
• June 5 – Board of Directors Visioning Session
• June 7 – Executive Forum, In-Person Meeting

Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org