Statewide Independent LivingCouncil of Illinois
Statewide Independent LivingExecutive Committee:
Members:
Excused:
Staff:
Guests:
Call to Order: The quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Chair Heavens at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2004. Heavens welcomed members present and introductions were made. SILC Executive Director Gerard Broeker introduced himself and gave a brief description of his first three months at SILC.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the May 2004 and the August 2004 minutes were distributed for review.
MOTION: Motion made by Tony Arellano to approve the minutes of May and August 2004 as presented. Motion seconded by John Gapsis. Motion passed.
Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities Update: Project Manager Robin Benson distributed a progress report since the Homeownership Coalition began in March 2002. Benson discussed a newsletter she recently developed and distributed statewide. Plans are for a quarterly newsletter.
Benson reported on grants she has submitted. Recently she has requested funds from Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the Sangamon County Community Foundation. Funds have been received from Fannie Mae ($3,000)and the Association of REALTORS ($2,000) for the emergency fund used to assist new homeowners when an emergency such as a furnace repair is necessary.
Benson reported that SILC has obtained a grant from Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This Fair Housing Initiative Project (FHIP) will employ Fair Housing Specialist Abbie Spindell through November 2005. SILC will be subcontracting with Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) in Decatur to provide fair housing workshops in their six county service area as well as Abbie providing workshops in the Homeownership Coalition’s six county area.
Benson discussed expansion efforts of the Homeownership Coalition. She is working with several Centers for Independent Living to begin Homeownership Coalitions in their service areas. Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago has placed four people in homes. Soyland Access to Independent Living in Decatur has placed three people in homes. PACE in Urbana is working with approximately forty consumers. Central Illinois Center for Independent Living in Peoria, Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living in Carbondale, IMPACT, Inc. in Alton and DuPage Center for Independent Living in Glen Ellyn all are working toward starting a Homeownership Coalition.
Legislative Update: Gerard Broeker reported that the General Assembly will be back in session this Monday. Broeker discussed MiCASSA. The new federal congress is expected to debate MiCASSA in the upcoming legislative session. The bill has wide bipartisan support and NCIL is asking all advocate to contact their congressman and senators to ensure passage.
INCIL Update: INCIL representative Pete Roberts discussed the I’d Vote Project and its success. Roberts reported that INCIL has developed new committees to address the goals INCIL has set. They now have an Olmstead Committee chaired by Cathy Contarino. INCIL plans on drafting an Olmstead bill to present January. This will be a Money Follows the Person Bill. INCIL has also developed a Formula Funding Committee chaired by Mike Egbert. This Committee will continue to work toward increasing funding for CILs. A Mentoring Committee/Capacity Building Committee has been developed to assist new CIL executive directors with their new role. An Internal Operations Committee has also been established.
Chair Report: Chair Heavens discussed SILC’s support of INCIL’s Olmstead Committee. Heavens also reported that Broeker, Lourash and Gilson will be representing SILC at the 2005 SILC Congress in January.
MOTION: Mark Karner motioned that SILC support the "Money Follows the Person" legislation that INCIL will develop and present in January. Willie Gunther seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Director Report: Broeker distributed a written report of his activities. He also discussed reappointments made by the Governor’s Office, Board and Commissions. INCIL representative Pete Roberts’ term is expired and INCIL is recommending Gail Kear as a replacement. This appointment needs to be made from the Governor. Broeker has communicated this to Board and Commissions and the appointment should be made soon.
Broeker reported that it has been brought to his attention that SILC should have a representative on the board of the Head and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council. After discussion Gerard was selected to represent SILC on the Council and Judy Panko Reis will be the alternate representative as she will be able to attend the meetings that are held in Chicago.
MOTION: Peter Schultz motion to appoint Broeker as SILC representative and Panko Reis as the alternate representative to the Head and Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Council. Christie seconded the motion. Motion passed.
At this time the Council recessed for lunch. The Executive Committee held a closed session to discuss Broeker’s 90 day evaluation.
The meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois reconvened at 1:15 p.m. following lunch.
Election of New Officers: Chair Heavens discussed recommendations from the Executive Committee to continue the same slate of officers for another year since they are all first terms. However, RJ Robertson was the Treasurer and his term on the Council is expired and he has been replaced. Willie Gunther was nominated by the Executive Committee to run for Treasurer. If Gunther is selected as Treasurer she will chair the Operations Committee and resign from the Programs Committee. Heavens asked for any nominations from the floor. Hearing none.
The slate of officer candidates is as follows:
MOTION: Peter Schultz motioned to accept the slated of candidates. Judy Panko Reis seconded the motion. Motion passed.
New Office Space: The Executive Committee has reviewed the three-year lease for the new office space located at 510 East Monroe Street in Springfield. SILC will occupy the 3rd floor of the Security Bank building. There is large conference space in the basement which SILC will be able to using four times a year for our quarterly meetings.
MOTION: Tony Arellano motioned to pay for all employee parking at the new location. Motion seconded by John Gapsis. Motion passed.
MOTION: Willie Gunther motioned to authorize Broeker to change SILC’s banking institution from National City to Security Bank for convenience purposes. Marlin Thomas seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Outreach Committee: Committee Chair Tony Arellano reported that the Committee met earlier today to discuss the outreach needs within Illinois. This Committee will be working toward defining outreach as well as preparing a letter to INCIL Director Ann Ford and SILC Director Gerard Broeker regarding how this Committee feels this they can move forward.
Operations Committee: Committee Chair Willie Gunther will be calling a meeting soon to review all goals and objectives in the SPIL.
Programs Committee: Allison Lourash has agreed to replace Gunther as Chair of this Committee. Lourash will review the goals and objectives in the SPIL and call a Committee meeting soon.
Planning Committee: Committee Chair Mark Karner reported that the Planning Committee met earlier today and discussed the goals and objectives in the SPIL. Karner discussed the need to education legislators and other organization with the community about Olmstead. The Planning Committee will work with INCIL’s Olmstead Committee on this. Karner reported that this Committee plans to conduct research on people with disabilities in Illinois, share nursing home data with CILs as well as evaluate controlled growth within the Home Services Program.
MOTION: Peter Schultz motioned to accept the Committee reports as presented. Anel Gonzalez seconded the motion. Motion carried.
State Rehabilitation Council Update: SILC representative Arellano discussed the recent meeting of SRC. Money is always a problem with SRC and goals and objectives that SRC has set for them. Transportation, Reappointments, No Recommendation for change to CAP, Plan for legislation meeting to met with Rep and Senators to discuss top priorities of SRC.
Disability Pride Parade: Marlin Thomas discussed his recent visit to Chicago to attend the Disability Pride Parade of which SILC was a sponsor. Thomas reported that there were lots of people in attendance as well as representatives from approximately six Centers for Independent Living.
MOTION: Tony Arellano motioned to adjourn the meeting of SILC. Willie Gunther seconded the motion. Motioned passed. Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2005 at the SILC office located at 510 East Monroe in Springfield. The conference room is in the lower level of the Security Bank building.
Minutes prepared for J. Anel Gonzalez, Secretary by Tara Dunning and Gerard Broeker
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