Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes of August 2, 2007

Attending Members

Executive Committee:

Christie Gilson, Chair
Mark Karner, Secretary
Gail Kear, Treasurer

Members:

Tony Arellano, Joliet
John Eckert, DoA, Springfield
Willie Gunther, Springfield
Pam Heavens, Joliet
Catrina Johnson, Carbondale
Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette
Liz Sherwin, Rock Island
Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent:

Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield
Anel Gonzalez, Chicago
Beth Hanselman, ISBE, Springfield
Veronica Lopez, Chicago
Allison Lourash, Moline
John Miller, Sherman
Peter Schultz, Rockford
Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Guests:

Ann Ford, INCIL, Springfield
Dawn Lucasey, Springfield

Staff:

Gerard Broeker, Executive Director

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Call to Order: The quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Chair Gilson at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2007. Gilson welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the May 10, 2007 meeting was distributed for review.

MOTION: Johnson motioned to approve the minutes of May 10, 2007. Gunther seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Executive Director’s Report: A written report by the Executive Director is attached. Broeker discussed INCIL’s concerns about the process for developing the State Plan on Independent Living (SPIL). Per direction from her board, Ann Ford wrote a letter to SILC requesting that INCIL have an ongoing dialogue regarding the SPIL and to make recommendations if amendments become necessary and to ensure that the directors of the Centers for Independent Living are able to play a meaningful role in the development of the SPIL.

Chair Report: A written report by the Chair is attached. Gilson thanked the members for their dedication and discussed proposed changes to the way SILC conducts meetings.

New Member Update: Broeker discussed his ongoing dialogue with the Office of Boards and Commissions regarding appointments to the SILC. He has been assured that reappointments and new appointments will happen soon. There was discussion about changing the November SILC meeting to a two day board training and retreat at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica. Hopefully new board members will be appointed by that time.

By-Laws Committee: Broeker presented the revised by-laws for review and approval. Noting that there were no significant changes to the way SILC conducts business but that the changes are mostly cleaning up the language.

MOTION: Sherwin motioned to approve the revised by-laws. Arellano seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Needs Assessment Update: Richard Schuldt, Director of the Survey Research Office at the University of Illinois at Springfield reported on his work on the needs assessment he began for the SILC in June, 2006. Mr. Schuldt reported on how a questionnaire was developed and with the cooperation of the Centers for Independent Living was mailed to approximately 9,000 consumers for feedback on services they have received and services that are needed in their community. A detailed written report will be completed by September 30, 2007.

Update on Youth Summit: Broeker discussed the Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit that was held July 23 – 25 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. There were 23 youth participants, mostly newcomers, and 10 mentors who attended the Summit. The Summit provided 12 workshops on various topics ranging from the history of the disability rights movement to adapted sports.

Operations Committee: Committee Chairperson Kear reported that the Operations Committee met on August 1. She discussed the FY08 budget and changes to the financial reports to be presented at the quarterly meetings. She also reported that the Operations Committee will address the following objectives this year:

1. The lease for SILC’s current office space expires 12/31/2007.
a. Committee will review landlord’s proposed renewal lease and Broeker’s recommendations regarding lease in September 2007. If the lease is satisfactory, Committee will recommend Executive Committee approval.
b. If the proposed lease is not satisfactory, Committee will recommend and oversee a Board-approved plan of action.
2. Present updated Financial Policies and Procedures Manual for Board approval by November 2007.
3. Review proposed FY09 budget in October and recommend Board approval at its November 2007 meeting.
4. Review SILC’s insurance program by January 2008.
5. Present updated Personnel Policies for Board approval no later than May 2008.
6. Update Executive Director performance appraisal form by June 2008.
The schedule for Operations Committee meetings will be established by e-mail at a later date.
Outreach Committee Report: No report given. Committee member Johnson discussed her interest in the Outreach Committee recruiting members for appointment on the SILC. She would like to see our membership reflect a wider range of ethnicity. This will be discussed further within the Outreach Committee.

Planning Committee Report: Committee Chairperson Karner reported that the Planning Committee met on July 20 to discuss priorities for FY08 and the following goals and objectives were developed:

1. Development of a needs assessment
a) Wide dissemination of the needs assessment by 12-31-07.
b) Convene a work group to use the needs assessment to determine ways to
improve the delivery of independent living services in Illinois by 6-30-08.

2. Provide two training to Illinois Centers for Independent Living
a) Using the 704 reports and input from CIL staff, determine two training needs.
b) Conduct trainings on two topics determined by the highest importance of the CILs. Trainings will be held in locations in Northern Illinois and down state Illinois by 6-30-08.

Programs Committee Report: No report given.

MOTION: Sherwin motioned to adjourn the meeting. Kear seconded the motion. Motion carried. At 3:10 p.m. the Council adjourned the quarterly meeting.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council will be held on November 6 – 7, 2007 at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, Illinois.

Mark Karner, Secretary Approved Date

Minutes prepared for Mark Karner, Secretary by Tara Dunning and Gerard Broeker