Executive Committee:
Members:
Absent:
Guests:
Staff:
Call to Order : The quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Chair Sherwin at 10:10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2009. Sherwin welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.
Approval of Minutes : The minutes of the February 5 meeting were distributed for review and approval.
MOTION: Gunther motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Pritchard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Chair Report: Sherwin reported that the Executive Committee met to discuss terms of Council members as well as elections of officers for fiscal year 2010. The Executive Committee also approved stipends for Centers for Independent Living to attend the Disability Rights / Independent Living Conference in April. Each CIL will receive $350 to assist with the cost of sending their staff to the conference. Stimulus funds were discussed in some detail and this is quite a complicated ongoing process which the Executive Director will elaborate on in his report. Sherwin discussed committee goals and objectives in the current SPIL and the process in meeting those goals.
Executive Director Report: Broeker discussed the new link for appointments of all boards and commissions that is on Governor Quinn’s website (www.illinois.gov/appointments). There was discussion regarding the use of the application process and taking advantage of this easy way to apply for SILC membership to fill vacancies on the Council. Broeker reported that the Outreach Committee is developing a list of potential Council members and their qualifications and will report further on that initiative at the next quarterly meeting.
Broeker reported on the progress of the 11 th Annual Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit taking place on July 26 through 29 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Broeker discussed the Conflict of Interest Policy which needs to be signed each year by all members of the Council. Members present reviewed the document and signed the agreement.
Legislative Update: Facility Closure Act - HB 2376 / SB 327 If passed this bill would take away the governor’s authority to close state institutions. Both bills have passed out of their respective chambers.
Forced Sterilization Bill - HB 2290 This bill has passed the House and is on the Senate floor.
HB 628 which provides reasonable access to a student for an expert witness in a due process hearing
There was discussion on Senate Bill 68 which if passed would provide hearing aids for people with hearing impairments. More information on this bill will be discussed at the August meeting.
Stimulus Funding: The ad hoc committee has recommended a formula by which all 23 CILs in Illinois will have an equal share of the dollars Illinois will receive under the Obama Stimulus Plan. Illinois can expect to receive approximately $4 million.
MOTION: Panko-Reis moved that SILC support the recommendations of the Ad-hoc Stimulus Committee made in their report. Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Election of Officers: Gunther presented the slate of candidates for officers to take effect July 1 through June 30, 2010. The floor was opened for nominations. Hearing none, Gunther asked for a motion to close the nomination process.
MOTION: Miller motioned to close nominations from the floor. Lucasey seconded the motion. Motion passed. Nominations closed.
MOTION: : Lucasey motioned to accept the slate of candidates as presented. Panko-Reis seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The following Officers will take office on July 1, 2009:
Treasurer's Report: In the absence of Treasurer Kear, no verbal report was given; however, financial reports were distributed for January, February and March, 2009.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: A motion to adjourn was made by Gunther and seconded by Cronin. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting: The next quarterly meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
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Mark Karner, Secretary