Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes of November 7, 2007

Attending Members

Executive Committee :

• Christie Gilson, Chair, Urbana
• Anel Gonzalez, Vice Chair, Chicago
• Mark Karner, Secretary, Forest Park
• Gail Kear, Treasurer, Bloomington

Members :

• David Dailey, Springfield
• Pam Heavens, Joliet
• Catrina Johnson, Carbondale
• Jose Mendez, Chicago
• Barbara Pritchard, Urbana
• Liz Sherwin, Rock Island
• Ruth Thompson, Rushville
• Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Absent :

• Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield
• Charlotte Cronin, Peoria
• John Eckert, IDoA, Springfield
• Melanie Fleenor, DHS/DDD, Springfield
• Willie Gunther, Springfield
• Dawn Lucasey, Glenarm
• John Miller, Sherman
• Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette
• Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Guests :

• Ann Ford, INCIL, Springfield

Staff :

Gerard Broeker, Executive Director  

Thursday, November 7, 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 Wednesday, November 7, 2007. Gilson welcomed members and guests present. Introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of the August 2, 2007 meeting was distributed for review.

MOTION:

INCIL Report:

Ann Ford discussed the current state of the legislature and the recent approval of the state budget. Ford reported that millions of dollars were removed from the state budget. These include formula funding for CILs as well as funds for the home services program and other disability initiatives. INCIL continues to be involved in the Disability Services Advisory Committee and working towards fully implementation of the Olmstead Act. She discussed the $55 million Money Follows the Person grant Illinois received. This is a five year grant that will strongly impact the lives of people with disabilities by providing more opportunities for reintegration into the community.

Approval of 2008 Policy Initiatives :

Broeker presented the draft 2008 Policy Initiatives for approval.

MOTION:

Thompson motioned that SILC members be allot two weeks to submit changes and comments on the 2008 Policy Initiatives to the executive director electronically and giving the authority to the executive committee to finalize the legislative policies with the revisions. Motion seconded by Sherwin. Motion carried.

Approval of Fiscal Year 2009 Budget:

Treasurer Kear distributed the draft of the fiscal year 2009 organizational budget. This budget is for July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Kear discussed in detail the line items in the budget. There is no pay increases figured into this budget.

MOTION:

Kear motioned to approve of the FY09 budget. Sherwin seconded the motion. Motion passed.

MOTION :

Sherwin motioned that the SILC office close from December 24 through December 28 and December 31 through January 1, 2008 for paid vacation for staff because there is not money in the budget for pay increases with the understanding this is for this year only until policy has been set. Johnson seconded this motion. Motion passed.

MOTION :

Sherwin motioned that is issue be sent to the Operations Committee for a permanent decision on how to handle the days between Christmas Eve and New Year’s. Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Approval of Office Lease:

Kear presented the new lease for the SILC office space. The Executive Committee has reviewed this document in detail and is in agreement that this lease agreement is acceptable.

MOTION :

The Executive Committee recommends approval of this three year office lease. Heavens seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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 February 7, 2008 in Springfield, Illinois.

Mark Karner, Secretary Approved Date

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