Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Minutes of August 27, 2004

Attending Members:

• Executive Committee: Pam Heavens; Chair, Joliet
• Anthony Arellano; Vice-Chair & Outreach Chair, Joliet
• R. J. Robertson, Jr.; Treasurer & Operations Chair, Murphysboro
• Willie Gunther, Programs Committee Chair, Springfield
• Members: Ross Grove (DoA), Springfield
• Allison Lourash, Moline

Absent:

• Kevin Byrd (DDD), Springfield
• John Gapsis, Effingham
• Christie Gilson, Urbana
• Anel Gonzalez, Secretary, Chicago
• Beth Hanselman (ISBE), Springfield
• Paul Henry, Park City
• Mark Karner, Planning Committee Chair, Chicago
• Candace Keller (DCFS), Springfield
• Veronica Lopez, Chicago
• Judith Panko Reis, Wilmette
• Pete Roberts, Springfield
• Peter Schultz, Rockford
• Elizabeth Sherwin, Rock Island
• Marlin Thomas, Alton
• Ken Williams (DRS), Chicago

Guests:

• Ann Ford (INCIL), Springfield
• Darrell Taylor, Carbondale

Staff:

• Gerard W. Broeker, Executive Director
• Tara D. Dunning, Administrative Assistant

Friday, August 27, 2004

Call to Order:

Following lunch, at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2004 Pam Heavens, SILC Chair called the quarterly meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois to order and introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of May 2004 were reviewed and one grammatical error corrected. Noting the lack of a quorum, the approval of these minutes was tabled and minutes will be approved at the November SILC meeting.

Youth Summit Report:

Dunning reported on the completion of the sixth Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit. She discussed the successes of the Summit as well as some problems that need to be dealt with next year. Dunning also reported that the 2005 Summit will be moved to the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). This is a move that will save a great deal of money and give a new enthusiasm to the youth participants.

Homeownership Coalition Update:

Dunning distributed a written update from the Robin Benson, Homeownership Project Manager. There have been 30 new homeowners since the project has begun.

Election of New Officers:

There was discussion about the election of officers for fiscal year 2005. Nominations were taken and the slate of officers who served in fiscal year 2004 have agreed to be nominated for a second term with the exception of RJ Robertson who served as Treasurer but is expecting to be replaced as a Council Member soon. Arellano nominated Gunther for Treasurer. Gunther has accepted the nomination for Treasurer. A vote will be taken at the November 5 SILC meeting and any additional nomination will be taken from the floor prior to the vote.

Slate of Candidates

Legislative Update:

Broeker discussed several Acts which deal with deinstitutionalization and affordable medical care for seniors and people with disabilities. There was also a discussion regarding the Governor using his amendatory veto power to funnel more Medicaid dollars into nursing homes.

Executive Director Report:

Broeker discussed the State Plan on Independent Living 2005-2007. RSA has requested clarification of a few points in the SPIL. Broeker has made the requested changes and RSA will follow up.

There was discussion regarding the board meetings for 2005. Meetings will be one day with members arriving the night before so Committees can meet in the evening or prior to the full Council meeting.

Other Business:

Ross Grove from Department on Aging (DoA) discussed a grant DoA is conducting to start an Aging and Disability Resource Center. The pilot sites will be Rockford and Decatur. Grove is seeking assistance with outreach from the Centers for Independent Living. It was agreed that the Project Manager of this project will meet with INCIL during their October 5 board meeting.

Adjournment:

Chair Heavens adjourned the meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois. Next meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 5, 2004 in Springfield.