Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes of February 2, 2006

Attending Members

Executive Committee:

• Anthony Arellano, Chair, Joliet
• Christie Gilson, Vice Chair, Urbana
• Anel Gonzalez, Secretary, Chicago

Members:

• Ross Grove, DoA, Springfield
• Pam Heavens, Joliet
• Catrina Johnson, Carbondale
• John Miller, Peoria
• Pete Roberts, INCIL, Springfield
• Liz Sherwin, Rock Island
• Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent:

• Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield
• Willie Gunther, Treasurer, Springfield
• Beth Hanselman, ISBE, Springfield
• Mark Karner, Chicago
• Candace Keller, DCFS, Springfield
• Veronica Lopez, Chicago
• Allison Lourash, Moline
• Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette
• Peter Schultz, Rockford
• Darrell Taylor, Carbondale

Staff:

• Gerard Broeker, Executive Director

Guests:

• Dan Dickerson, Springfield
• Terry Gipson, Joliet

Thursday, February 2, 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, February 2, 2006. Arellano welcomed members present and introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of the November 3, 2005 meeting were distributed for review and approval.

MOTION: Sherwin motioned to approved the November 3, 2005 minutes as presented. Roberts seconded the motion. Motion carried.

INCIL Report:

INCIL Representative Pete Roberts reported on the March 27^th rally and reception. Several sponsors, including SILC, will rally at the Capitol and spend the day educating their legislators on the issues important to Illinoisans with disabilities.

Roberts discussed the continued progress of the Illinois Disability Vote Project and the activities they are planning before the November elections. Roberts reported that the Community First Act has been renamed to The Olmstead Implementation Act. There was discussion about the lack of a cost of living increase for Centers for Independent Living again this fiscal year.

Chair Report:

Chair Arellano discussed his recent trip to Florida for the SILC Congress. Arellano reported that the purpose of the Congress seems to be an effort to get all the SILCs uniform. He will prepare and present a more detailed report for the next SILC meeting.

Guest Speaker: Disability Rights Bureau, Office of the Attorney General:

• Joe Russo, Chief of the Civil Rights Disability Bureau

• Jason Speaks

• Vickie Mautino

• Rebecca Schmidt

• Cassie Barger

• Mark Chu

At this time the meeting was recessed for lunch.

Executive Director Report:

Youth Summit Update: Broeker discussed the 2006 Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit. Funding for the Summit has diminished over the years and it will be necessary to find sponsors for a majority of the expenses this year. The Summit will be held July 17 - 19, 2006 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. With funding so low money will not be spent on items such as keynote speakers or t-shirts.

Broeker discussed the accessibility issues at the dormitories he has been working with the University to solve. After many letters and phone conversations it appears that the University will be making some of the changes that we have requested. The planning for the Summit is months behind schedule but will all come together.

Homeownership Coalition Update: Broeker discussed the solicitation letter the Homeownership Coalition mailed to approximately 1,700 business owners, builders, etc in the hopes of receiving donations to enable the program to continue to run. There was discussion about the future of the program and the need to continue to seek grantees for operating expenses.

Legislative Update: Broeker discussed several problems with Medicare Part D program. There are many people going without their needed prescriptions due to glitches.

The Oregon Assisted Suicide Law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. This allows states to decide when a person with a disability can be assisted by a physician in committing suicide rather than to live with a disability

The CIL COLA did not pass during the fall veto session. SILC will continue to push for this.

Formula Funding for CILs has been reintroduced. SILC fully supports formula funding.

There are several autism related bills in this session. SILC should support more funding for all disabilities rather than pushing for additional funding for specific disabilities.

Programs Committee Report:

No report

Operations Committee Report:

No report

Outreach Committee Report:

Need to make RSA aware that under the new 704 reporting tool, outreach activities by CILs will be severely cut because it is not an activity that a CIL will receive credit for doing.

Planning Committee Report:

No report

MOTION: Motion made by Heavens to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Sherwin. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2006.

Signed:

J. Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Approved Date:

May 4, 2006

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

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