Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes, May 10, 2007

Attending Members

Executive Committee:

Tony Arellano, Chair

Christie Gilson, Vice Chair

Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Willie Gunther, Treasurer

Members:

John Eckert, DoA, Springfield

Pam Heavens, Joliet

Mark Karner, Forest Park

John Miller, Sherman

Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette

Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent:

Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield

Beth Hanselman, ISBE, Springfield

Catrina Johnson, Carbondale

Gail Kear, INCIL, Bloomington

Veronica Lopez, Chicago

Allison Lourash, Moline

Peter Schultz, Rockford

Liz Sherwin, Rock Island

Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Guests:

Mike Egbert, OFA-CIL, Mt. Vernon

Ann Ford, INCIL, Springfield

Brendt Ramsey, CCDI, Springfield

Staff:

Gerard Broeker, Executive Director

Thursday, May 10, 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, May 10, 2007. Arellano welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 1, 2007 meetings were distributed for review.

MOTION: Gonzalez motioned to approve the minutes of February 1, 2007 with the correction of John Miller’s home town of Sherman. Gunther seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Election of New Officers:

Chair Arellano reported that he will be resigning from the Council to pursue a career in special education. He is withdrawing his name from the slate of officers. Nominations were taken from the floor for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. A slate of candidates was presented for approval. Terms will begin July 1, 2007 for the new officers.

Slate of Candidates:

Christie Gilson – Chair

Anel Gonzalez – Vice-Chair

Mark Karner – Secretary

Gail Kear – Treasurer

INCIL Report: Ann Ford, Executive Director of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) discussed the Olmstead Implementation Act. The Act has passed both the House and the Senate. Ford reported on the changes made to the Act and some of the difficulties INCIL has faced in moving this important legislation forward.

MOTION: Heavens motioned that SILC accept INCIL’s position on Olmstead. Motion seconded by Gunther. Motion carried.

Mike Egbert then discussed formula funding. He explained how the formula was developed and what INCIL has been pushing the legislature for over the past several years. He stated that the budget proposed by the Governor contains two million dollars for distribution to the Centers according to the formula. He asked SILC to continue to advocate for inclusion of the money in the final budget.

Legislative Update:

Miller discussed The Earn Interpreters for Deaf Act. Miller reported that when this legislation was passed in 1997 requiring all earn interpreters for the deaf to register their credentials with the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission there were no enforcement guidelines put in place to investigate issues or problems to file complaints against an interpreter. Currently this bill is concentrating on licensure, and the goal is to raise the standards and recognize interpreters as a profession through licensure and also provide professions for interpreters, as well as give deaf and hard of hearing people the ability to file a complaint should an interpreter not conduct themselves professionally in their work. Miller reported that HB1277 The Interpreter for Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 will replace the Earn Interpreters for Deaf Act. It provides for the regulation of interpreters for the deaf through licensure by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.
MOTION: Kear motioned that SILC support HB1277. Motion seconded by Panko Reis. Motion passed.

State Plan on Independent Living (SPIL) Discussion:

The remainder of the Council meeting was spent working out the language of the 2008-2010 SPIL. One piece of the SPIL was determined through a motion. MOTION: Gilson motioned SILC accept the priorities developed by Kear and Williams, subject to possible language changes to comply with the regulatory language from the the 1998 Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. Gonzalez seconded the motion. Motion passed.
MOTION: Heavens motioned to accept the 2008-2010 State Plan on Independent Living with the addition of the priorities and the financial information yet to be received from RSA. Gilson 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 Thursday, August 2, 2007.

Anel Gonzalez, Secretary

Approved Date AUGUST 2, 2007

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