Attending Members
Executive Committee:
Members:
Excused:
Absent:
Guests:
Staff:
Call to Order: The quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Vice-Chair Pritchard at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Prichard welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February, 2010 meeting was distributed for review and approval.
Review of Draft State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL): At the February Council meeting an ad-hoc SPIL Drafting Committee was formed. This ad-hoc committee was made up of SILC members, CIL staff as well as CCDI. Theme areas were selected based on the 2008 Needs Assessment and goals, objectives and activities were drafted.
Gorman reported that eight public forums were held across the state to gather information about the needs of people with disabilities. Two public hearings were held in Springfield and Chicago to accept comments on the draft SPIL.
The ad-hoc SPIL Drafting Committee will continue to develop language for Section 3.2 and a conference call of the full SILC will be held on June 10th to finalize the SPIL.
MOTION: Thompson motioned to approve the draft 2011-2013 State Plan for Independent Living as presented with the exception of Section 3.2 which will continue to be drafted. Gunther seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Guest Speaker: Rob Kilbury, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services: Director Kilbury discussed the state budget and its impact on the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and its programs. DRS received a $72 million increase for the Home Services Program which is largely going to allow a pay increase for personal care attendants and homemakers in the next year and also accommodate for the growth of the program.
DRS also received $20.1 million in funding for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). DRS will be making some funding decisions on $12 million of the $20.1 million within the next week. Centers for Independent Living received some ARRA funding as did the OIB (Older Individuals who are Blind) Program.
Outreach Committee Report: Committee Chair Thompson welcomed the five newest members to the Council. She discussed the tedious process of recruiting qualified members and communicating with the Office of Boards and Commissions on the appointment to SILC. Thompson reminded the Council that the Federal regulations require SILC to have 51% people with disabilities who do not work for the state or a center for independent living.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Kear distributed for review and discussion the financial reports for January, February and March, 2010. Kear gave a brief overview of the budget, SILC’s grants, and our reporting requirements.
MOTION: McHaley moved to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Heenan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Election of Officers: Eckert discussed the slate of officers the ad-hoc Nominating Committee developed. He reported that Thompson, Cronin, Gunther and himself met to discuss possible candidates for office. A slate has been presented for approval effective July 1.
MOTION: Gunther moved to accept the slate of officers as presented. McHaley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the vacancies left by officers whose membership has expired and have recently been replaced by the Governor. Initially, there was discussion to move up the terms of the new officers. Miller pointed out the by-laws are clear that the terms of the officers begin on July 1. Robertson suggested that the by-laws allow the filling of vacancies until the next election.
MOTION: Robertson motioned to fill the vacancy left by the outgoing chair for the remainder of this fiscal year with Gail Kear, the vacancy left by the treasurer with Ruth Thompson, the vacancy left by the secretary with Charlotte Cronin. McHaley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Appointment of Committee Members: Kear had begun work on new committee chairs and members. She had communicated with all Council members in regard to their assignments. There was an initial discussion regarding moving the appointments forward now; however, Miller pointed out that terms don’t begin until July 1. A motion was made, amended and then the amendment and motion were voted down. The Council concluded that current committee members would continue until June 30 and individuals could volunteer to serve on committees. Kear’s appointments will take effect July 1.
Operations Committee Report: Kear submitted, on behalf of the Operations Committee, several items for Council approval; revisions to the current by-laws, travel reimbursement policy, revisions to the current fiscal policy and FY2011 organizational budget. Several items were reviewed and accepted by the Council, however, the changes to the fiscal policy will be returned to the Operations Committee for further discussion.
MOTION: Cronin motioned to accept the changes to the by-laws with the friendly wording change under Article VIII-Section 1. Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
MOTION: The Operations Committee motioned to submit the travel policy for approval. Seconded by McHaley. Motion passed.
MOTION: The Operations Committee has reviewed the fiscal year 2011 budget in detail and is recommending Council approval of as presented. This motion was seconded by Heenan. Motion passed.
Executive Director Report: Gorman reported he has been appointed to the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, the University of Illinois at Springfield's Office of Disability Services Advisory Committee and is in the process of being appointed to the Advisory Council on Spinal Cord and Head Injuries.
He also discussed the site review conducted by RSA in 2008. RSA comes in and looks at states and several programs within VR and SILC is a part of that. There is a small part of a large report that pertains to SILC. Gorman distributed a copy of that section of the report. It has been brought to his attention that there were a few issues that RSA wanted corrective action but have not been resolved. These issues pertain to “fundraising” and how capacity development funds are dispersed. Gorman and the DSU representative, Ken Williams, will hold a conference call on May 18th to clarify RSA’s concerns and move forward with correcting these issues.
Gorman presented a proclamation being circulated nationwide The 2010 by 2010 Campaign's goal is to collect 2010 "Proclamations of Recommitment" to the mission of the ADA by the 20th anniversary of the ADA--July 26, 2010.
MOTION: Layton motioned that SILC sign onto the campaign. McHaley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
INCIL Report: INCIL representative Heenan discussed the involvement of the CILs in the development of the 2011-2013 SPIL and their commitment to participate in the activities within. Many CIL directors will continue to draft language for Section 3.2 of the SPIL. Ann Ford reported on several legislative issues INCIL continues to be involved in, including a bill requiring insurance companies to pay for hearing aids, nursing home reform and managed care initiatives.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: At this time Vice-Chair Pritchard adjourned the meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois.
Next Meeting: The next quarterly meeting of the Council will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010.
Charlotte Cronin, Secretary
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