Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes of August 3, 2006

Attending Member

Executive Committee:

Tony Arellano, Chair

Christie Gilson, Vice Chair

Willie Gunther, Treasurer

Members:

Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield

Catrina Johnson, Carbondale

Mark Karner, Forest Park

John Miller, Peoria

Liz Sherwin, Rock Island

Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent:

Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Ross Grove, DoA, Springfield

Beth Hanselman, ISBE, Springfield

Pam Heavens, Joliet

Gail Kear, INCIL, Bloomington

Veronica Lopez, Chicago

Allison Lourash, Moline

Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette

Peter Schultz, Rockford

Darrell Taylor, Carbondale

Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Staff:

Gerard Broeker, Executive Director

Guests:

Teri Dederer, Dept. of Human Services

Ann Ford, INCIL

Dawn Lucasey, Springfield

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Call to Order: The quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Chair Arellano at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2006. Arellano welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.

There is not a quorum today so most business will be tabled until the November 2 meeting.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the May 4, 2006 meeting were distributed for review. Approval of these minutes was tabled until the November meeting.

Election of Officers: Broeker reported that currently there is not a slate of candidates for elections. An ad hoc Nominating Committee will be formed to begin this process and elections will be held at the November meeting.

Membership Concerns: Broeker discussed his concerns regarding the lack of participation of Council members. There are several terms that have been expired for years. As in many states, appointments of new members and reappointments of current members by the Governor’s office is a very slow process. There was discussion about how this process can be improved including requesting meetings with the Office of Boards and Commissions and writing letters to the Governor stating how the SILC is unable to conduct business because of the lack of a quorum due to the need for new appointments.

Since there is not a quorum today but there is a majority of the Executive Committee present. The Executive Committee made a motion.

MOTION: Karner motioned to draft a letter to the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions. Sherwin seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Executive Director Report: Broeker discussed the transportation conference he attended in June. He stated that, like most issues regarding people with disabilities in Illinois, the state is failing to take advantage of programs which could benefit our citizens greatly. Broeker also discussed the upcoming rally at the State Fair being headed by the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois. SILC will be providing admission for all participants. Broeker discussed the Needs Assessment. Arellano and Johnson agreed to be a part of the planning committee.

Chair Report: Arellano reiterated the importance of attendance at meetings. He also discussed his desire to have training for new members when they are appointed. It may be necessary to have a retreat because there may be an influx of new members if/when the governor gets around to making new appointments.

Home Services Program Presentation: Teri Dederer joined the meeting to explain the direction that the program is taking. She stated that very few people have lost coverage because of the redetermination and that those who did lose services probably should not have been eligible from the start. She explained that the program is growing rapidly and that DRS is trying to figure out how to keep the program viable while the budget for the program will not be growing to meet the ever-growing demand for services. She welcomes any assistance the SILC is willing to give in this regard.

INCIL Report: Ann Ford discussed INCIL’s participation in the State Fair event. She encouraged anyone who is able to attend. She also discussed that the problem with getting appointments to SILC has been ongoing since SILC was started.

Youth Summit Update: Broeker reported that the Summit was a great success this year but that we are still waiting on the final bill from the university. The participants voted to approach their elected state representatives regarding funding for the Summit so that it can be extended to a week-long conference.

Homeownership Coalition Update: Broeker reported that Bingo has been successful in creating operating money for the program. The program is in the state plan until September 30, 2007. However, discussions are taking place regarding the program leaving the SILC by the end of the state fiscal year, which is June 30, 2007.

Committee Reports:Sherwin reported that the outreach committee discussed ways to recruit new members for SILC as well as issues facing CILs and their ability to serve minority populations.

No other reports were given.

Adjournment: Chair Arellano called the meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois adjourned.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2006.

Minutes prepared for J. Anel Gonzalez, Secretary by Tara Dunning and Gerard Broeker