Statewide Independent LivingCouncil of Illinois
Statewide Independent Living(Adopted: February, 2003)
Whereas, the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois (SILC) is a planning body mandated by the federal Rehabilitation Act as Amended, and is co-signer of the State Plan for Independent Living with the Department of Human Services; and
Whereas, a primary function of the SILC is the development and expansion of Centers for Independent Living and independent living services; and
Whereas, the SILC considers the needs of persons with disabilities in Illinois from both an individual and systemic perspective;
Therefore, we do hereby adopt the following statement of policy initiatives for the 2003 legislative session:
Centers for Independent Living are non-residential, community-based advocacy organizations run by individuals with disabilities. The SILC supports a concept of formula funding as proposed by the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living that has both a geographic and population component for present and future Centers for Independent Living.
The SILC supports expansion of services for under-served minority and disability populations, and in the state’s unserved counties through the development of new satellite offices of existing Centers for Independent Living (or through new grassroots initiatives).
Additionally, the SILC believes that all existing Centers for Independent Living should receive an annual COLA that is at least consistent with any increases in the Consumer Price Index.
The SILC feels strongly that any attempt to move the DHS’ Office of Rehabilitation Services into a planned "super workforce development agency" would significantly diminish the effectiveness of an Office whose sole function is assisting individuals with disabilities who receive individualized vocational services in concert with the necessary supports to ensure "independent living" services.
Personal Assistants (PAs) provide support in activities of daily living for Illinoisans with significant disabilities enrolled in the DHS/ORS’ Home Services Program (HSP). PAs continue to be underpaid at $7.00 per hour; therefore, we support an increase to at least $8.00 per hour in 2003, and full funding for new qualified recipients of HSP.
Personal Assistants save Illinois millions of dollars in institutional costs, yet can often make more money in the service industry, and this severely compromises the quality of life of people with disabilities enrolled in HSP. These low wages continually deplete the pool of qualified and dedicated workers, and discourages others from working as Personal Assistants.
The SILC supports programs and services which allow Illinoisans with disabilities to live and work in their communities. The U.S. Supreme Court decision on Olmstead v. LC stressed that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the unjustified institutionalized isolation of an individual with a disability is unlawful discrimination. The decision also mandated that states have a "comprehensive, effectively working plan and a waiting list that moves at a reasonable pace."
To this end, we support increased funding for programs such as the DHS/ORS’ Home Services Program, DHS/ORS’ Community Reintegration initiative, Community Integrated Living Arrangements, family and home-based supports, supported employment, and other such programs that allow a person with a disability to live and work in the "most integrated setting" appropriate as ruled by the Supreme Court. In addition, we believe that funding used to support residential institutions, sheltered workshops and day training programs should be redirected to support community based services that allow persons with disabilities to receive integrated services in non-segregated environments.
The SILC supports initiatives of the state which increase the availability of accessible and affordable housing. The SILC supports "visitability" legislation which mandates that new single family spec homes include certain modest accessibility features, including: (a) one accessible entrance, (b) 32" doorways, (c) reinforced bathroom walls, and (d) lowered utility receptacles. Such features, when built into the original design of the home, add less than 1% to the overall cost of the structure.
The SILC also endorses the expansion of initiatives by state government designed to provide home and apartment modification grants for individuals with disabilities and their families who require such modifications to live independently.
The SILC applauds lawmakers for supporting the development of a Medicaid "buy-in" program for the state which will allow persons with disabilities who are working– or want to work– to pay a premium to keep their Medicaid coverage as permitted by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.
The SILC feels that increased efforts must be made to aggressively market this innovative program that in its first full year of operation has enrolled fewer than 350 people statewide, and that the income eligibility limit be raised from its current level of 200% to 400% of the federal poverty level. The SILC feels that this IDPA program should be tracked to show how persons with disabilities are increasing their hours worked and reducing their dependence on other forms of public assistance.
Too often, Illinoisans with disabilities have to decide between work or adequate health care. A recent study noted that seven out of ten working age persons with disabilities who are unemployed would prefer to work, but many cannot risk losing
needed health care benefits. In Illinois, currently over 488,000 working age persons with disabilities are unemployed.
The SILC supports the increased awareness of transition services for students with disabilities after they leave the educational setting. It is necessary that the state ensures successful transitioning to the workplace, additional schooling, or to other supportive environments.
The SILC urges state policymakers to develop funding initiatives to help school districts come in to compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many districts have never developed or complied with the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans. The $100 million initiative appropriated for state facilities in 1992-93 might be used as a model for such a program.
The SILC supports the inclusion of funding initiatives by state government to increase accessible and affordable transportation options for individuals with disabilities and their families in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
In addition, we request that a comprehensive statewide needs assessment of transportation issues that directly affect individuals with disabilities and their ability to live independently be conducted. This needs assessment must include persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation and recommendation processes.
It is estimated that Illinois will receive $9 billion over the next 25 years as the result of the Tobacco Settlement. The SILC urges state policymakers to allocate a significant share of these funds to create and support services which promote independent living services to people with disabilities who represent approximately 20% of the population. The SILC believes that Centers for Independent Living are uniquely positioned throughout Illinois communities, and are well qualified to provide these services with adequate funding from the Tobacco Settlement.