Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes, February 1, 2007

Attending Members

Executive Committee:

Tony Arellano, Chair

Christie Gilson, Vice Chair

Willie Gunther, Treasurer

Members:

John Eckert, DoA, Springfield

Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Catrina Johnson, Carbondale

Mark Karner, Forest Park

John Miller, Sherman

Liz Sherwin, Rock Island

Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent:

Kevin Byrd, DDD, 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

Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Guest:

Ann Ford, INCIL, Springfield

Sharon Ruda, Talking Books & Braille Library, Springfield

Staff:

Gerard Broeker, Executive Director

Thursday, February 1, 2007

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 1, 2007. Arellano welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of the November 2, 2006 meetings were distributed for review.
MOTION: Sherwin motioned to approve the minutes of November 2, 2006. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Chair Report:

Chair Arellano reported on the recent SILC Congress held on January 13 – 15, 2007 in New Orleans. Arellano reported that the conference was well organized and one of the best he has participated in. There was discussion about the devastation that New Orleans went through with Hurricane Katrina and about how Centers for Independent Living and SILCs can be more prepared for such a disaster.

Vice Chair Gilson also attended the SILC Congress and discussed the increased push towards outcome based measurements. There was discussion about, as a SILC, what function to we play in making sure the Centers for Independent Living are prepared for this shift in reporting?

Executive Director:

Broeker reported on the completion of 14 public forums held across Illinois as a means of collecting information on the needs of people with disabilities. This information will be compiled and used to write the next State Plan on Independent Living (SPIL). The 2008 – 2010 SPIL is due on June 30, 2007 and in effect October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2010.

Broeker discussed his experience at the SILC Congress. Broeker reported that some SILCs in other states have hired an advocacy coordinator to work with the CILs with grassroots organizing. Broeker will be meeting with Louanner Peters next week to discuss this initiative as well as appointments to the Council and the unemployment rate for people with disabilities.

Broeker discussed the Needs Assessment being developed by the University of Illinois at Springfield. Process has been slow with UIS facing difficulties with formatting to accommodate all disabilities and translation into Spanish.

Guest Speaker:

Sharon Ruda, Talking Books & Braille Library:

Sharon Ruda, Director of the Talking Books & Braille Library discussed the program and eligibility. She stated that the library has books, magazines, old radio programs available for anyone who has problems reading due to visual impairment or by physical impairment which makes it difficult to hold books or turn pages. She also said that if the Illinois Library does not have a particular item there is a nationwide system that they can access to borrow the reading material.

MOTION: Johnson motioned that SILC recognize that the Talking Books & Braille Library is an essential service to people with disabilities and that SILC, to the extent of our ability, advocate to keeping this service. Sherwin seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Youth Summit Update:
Broeker reported that the Summit is scheduled for July 23 – 25, 2007 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Calls for Proposal were being sent out this week. He also discussed a grant opportunity from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities for youth leadership that the SILC will be seeking.

Homeownership Coalition Update:
Gunther reported on the transition of the Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities from SILC to the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP). Robin Benson, Program Manager moved into her new office space at IATP the first of the year. Gunther discussed funding for the program. Currently there are still grants running through SILC but as soon as those funds have been expended SILC will be finished with the Homeownership Coalition. Gunther reported that IATP has begun the process of securing more funding for this program and is excited about its future with IATP.

Operations Committee Report:
Committee Chair Gunther reported the Operations Committee met this week. There are three documents before the Operations committee. These include fiscal policy, personnel policy and by-laws. The Operations Committee will continue revisions on the fiscal policy and personnel policy. Chair Arellano will assign a committee separate from the Operations Committee to review the by-laws.

Outreach Committee Report:
Committee Chair Gonzalez reported the Outreach Committee has not met but will meet soon to review the goals and objectives for the SPIL 2008-2010.

Planning Committee Report:
Committee Chair Karner reported the Planning Committee met yesterday to discuss the goals and objectives for the SPIL 2008-2010. Much of the goals for this Committee will remain unchanged for the upcoming SPIL.

Programs Committee Report:

Committee Chair Sherwin reported the Programs Committee met in November to discuss the Committee’s role and responsibilities. The role of the Programs Committee is to ensure that all programs are being run correctly and to identify new programs which SILC can become involved in. The Committee reviewed the goals and objectives in the current SPIL to revise and modify for the SPIL 2008-2010.

Executive Session:

At this time staff was dismissed so that the Council can have a closed discussion.

MOTION: Sherwin motioned to adjourn the meeting. Gunther seconded the motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2007.

J. Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Approved: May 10, 2007

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