SILC of Illinois Logo.Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

August 1 & 2, 2002, Minutes 

Attending Members:

Executive Committee:

Members: 

Excused: 

Staff: 

Thursday, August 1, 2002

Call to Order:

Following lunch, Chair William Fielding called the quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois to order at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2002. Introductions were made and Chair Fielding gave the Council a few minutes to review the minutes of the previous Council meeting.

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the May, 2002 SILC meeting were reviewed. Roberts noted one correction on the bottom of page two. The word "effects" should be "affects".

Motion:  Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes with the minor grammar correction. Arellano seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Legislative/Budget/Advocacy Updates:

Eckert reported on numerous issues and legislation coming from the General Assembly:

Lincoln Developmental Center’s Closure; DHS continues to transfer LDC residents other state operated facilities and community-based settings with a full closure goal set for the first of September.

SB 1530 modifies the Secretary of State’s current Disabled Parking Placard program making it more difficult for individuals to abuse the program.

SB1537 creates a uniform Emergency Evacuation Plan for people with disabilities in hi-rise apartments and hotels.

DHS/ORS Home Services Program funding will be increased to continue to meet the ongoing growth of this entitlement program.

Centers for Independent Living will not be receiving state GRF funds for a COLA this year

Many of the cuts aimed at DHS/ODD were restored.

The "100% Campaign" continues to expand, including assisting with the purchase of prescription drugs

The Department of Public Aid has recently launched new Medicaid waiver program: AdultCare (similar to KidCare) aimed at providing health care to low income families.

Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities:

Chair Fielding introduced Ms. Robin Benson, Project Manager for the Homeownership Coalition who distributed materials about the program and gave an update on the activities she has been involved in since she was hired in March. Robin reported that she has closed on two loans, helping two families with disabilities achieve the American dream of home-ownership. Robin will be in training next week to become a certified counselor for Fannie Mae.

Benson, Eckert, and Dunning have submitted several grants for the Homeownership Coalition in the past two months; specifically to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development, Illinois Housing Development Authority, Fannie Mae, Helen Brach, Dr. Scholl and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Robin also mentioned the Homeownership Coalition will be holding a fund-raiser on October 18, 2002 at the Springfield Hilton. The event will be a costume ball appropriately named the "PreBoo Masquerade Party," and its purpose it to create an emergency fund for homeowners benefiting from the Homeownership Coalition and having some untold cost arise that traditional funding does not cover.

Eckert noted that this worthy endeavor would not have been possible without the support of DHS with its "Systems Change" grant and the City of Springfield.

Discussion of Title VII, Part C Funding Recommendations:

Operations Committee Chair Robertson distributed a draft memorandum looking at the SILC’s Title VII, Part C Policy. An Ad-hoc Committee was formed to develop a policy for SILC to follow when RSA requests recommendations on how to distribute additional Title VII, Part C funds. The Ad-hoc Committee has met two times in Springfield. The intent of this memorandum was to give a historical perspective and a general direction for the Council in respect to future increases in Title VII, Part C funds. The Council discussed the draft policy and a more formal policy will be presented for further discussion and possible vote at the November Council meeting.

Motion:  Ford motioned to approve in concept what is in the draft policy memorandum and let the Ad-hoc Committee continue to develop a more formal policy. Roberts seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Executive Director’s Recognition of Staff:

Prior to asking staff members Dunning and Benson to be excused prior to the Executive Director giving his annual self-evaluation to the Council, Eckert noted the significant role that staff play in the success of the Council’s activities and that their dedication and hard work are much appreciated. Additionally, he noted that their professionalism and ability to conduct their day-to-day activities without significant supervision helps the Director immensely.

Following a round of applause in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the Council, at this time Dunning and Benson were excused.

Closed Session:

Prior to being excused by the Council to discuss the Executive Director’s annual evaluation, Eckert gave a review of the past year’s activities. At this time Eckert was excused for a closed session.

Following a closed-door discussion, Eckert was asked to return to the meeting. Chair Fielding discussed the results of the Executive Committee’s positive evaluation of the Executive Director’s activities for the past year, and that the full Council had agreed upon 6% raise, effective September 15th, 2002 (anniversary date for employment).

Chair Fielding– in addition to the Council’s ongoing activities– did note the following four areas in which the Council would like their Executive Director to address during the upcoming year: (1) provide the Council with examples of compensation for SILC Directors around the country; (2) work with the Council to bring on new Council members and provide better orientation and mentoring for newer members; (3) provide the Council with more information on new programs and projects; and (4) provide the Council with additional information on SILC program/project budgets for quarterly review and ongoing feedback.

At this time, Eckert thanked the Council for its ongoing support and approval of his activities. Additionally, Eckert reiterated his position that he feels strongly that his role is that of the Council’s representative and that his intent is to represent the collective mandate of the Council’s advice.

Motion to Adjourn (& view Homeownership video):

Chair Fielding called for a motion to adjourn the meeting for the day. The Council will reconvene on Friday, August 2 at 9:00 a.m. Members remained in the room to view a recently produced 30 minute Public Access Television segment on the Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities.

Motion: Dykstra motioned to adjourn for the day. Langen seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Friday, August 2, 2002:

Call to Order:

The meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council was called to order at 9:20 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2002 by Chair Fielding.

Operations Committee Report:

Committee Chair Robertson distributed a draft of significant revisions to the SILC Employee Personnel Policy. There was discussion about accrual of vacation and sick time– whether time should be on "use it or lose it basis" or whether it can be carried over from year to year. The Council favored carrying over accrued vacation and sick time. Other issues discussed were employee misconduct and disciplinary action. A final draft will be distributed in the Council packet prior to the November meeting and will be presented at the November meeting for final approval.

Quarterly financial reports were reviewed and Eckert noted that spending is within its expected projection for the quarter. There were no questions.

Outreach Committee Report:

Committee Chair Arellano gave an update on revisions to the Outreach Manual. On a related note, Eckert indicated that the Council had been approached by the National Council on Independent Living and the Independent Living Research Utilization program to partner on a national outreach training initiative using the SILC of Illinois’ manual and training curriculum as a template.

Arellano discussed his continued meetings with the Latino/United Way Outreach Pilot in Joliet and noted that he would be working with other groups as well.

Planning Committee Report:

Committee Chair Roberts gave an update on the Independent Living Older Blind Funds that were recently awarded to three CILs after being visited by representatives from DHS/BBS, DHS/ILU and the SILC. Roberts noted that the process was an open and fair one and that the SILC played a large role in ensuring that that all CILs in the state were able to compete.

Chair Roberts also discussed the SILC/ORS Research Survey. He noted that Kilbury and Eckert would be meeting with a researcher from the Rehabilitation Institute at SIU-Carbondale who will be coordinating the data analysis with one or two doctoral candidates.

Roberts also discussed progress of the ad hoc Outcome Based Committee noting that it had gathered materials from other states and was looking at working with the DHS Independent Living Unit in developing a manual for CILs to have with reporting requirements including examples of different reporting tools.

Programs Committee Report:

Summit Project Manager Dunning reported on the Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit which was just completed last week. She reported that the fourth annual Summit was a great success and distributed a written report that further detailed the event.

Eckert reported on the Illinois Workforce Investment Board’s Work Incentive Grant II that begins October 1. SILC will be project manager of this grant aimed at increasing the use of Assistive Technology in the "one stop" employment and training centers, with specific emphasis being placed on seven "world class" one stops and the DuPage one stop as a pilot for assessing people with hidden disabilities.

Chair Report:

No report given.

Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living Report:

INCIL representative Pete Roberts distributed a written report on current INCIL activities. He made a particular note of the upcoming INCIL-sponsored Region V Independent Living conference being held in Rosemont and encouraged Council members to attend it their schedules allowed.

Motion to Adjourn: 

Arellano motioned the meeting be adjourned and Dykstra seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Minutes prepared for Pam Heavens, Secretary by Tara Dunning and John Eckert.

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