Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

Position on Reintegration/Deinstitutionalization

It is the position of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois that all people, regardless of their disability, deserve the opportunity to live in the community, to make their own choices in life, and to speak for themselves. We believe that the institutional bias in Illinois should be reversed and that all people with disabilities must have the option of obtaining assistance with daily living in their homes and communities. In addition to cost savings for Illinois, the dignity, quality of life, and productivity of people with disabilities will be enhanced.

To this end, the Statewide Independent Living Council supports:

Expansion of the Department of Human Services' Office of Rehabilitation Services Home Services Program funding for its Community Reintegration Program. It is projected that in FY >02, 19 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) will expend $1,453,881 administering this highly successful program. We recommend a 50% increase ($726,940) to be included in the DHS FY >03 budget to expand outreach, staffing and program access to the 10,000 people with disabilities (ages 18-59) who are currently institutionalized in the State's licensed nursing homes.
The Office of Rehabilitation Services has documented the significant cost savings of this program with an extensive cost-benefit analysis.
Expansion of affordable/accessible housing options for low income people with disabilities.
A significant reduction in the admission of people with disabilities to all State institutions and a moratorium on the development of any new private institutions.
Consistent with Olmstead vs. LC, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, sufficient resources should be allocated to Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) to allow all eligible people with disabilities to live in the community.
A State-wide system of independent living services and advocacy must be supported and incorporated by all State agencies.
State support of a national consumer-controlled Personal Assistant services program that incorporates the basic principles of MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act (S. 1298).

Additionally, all public policies regarding reintegration/deinstitutionalization should accommodate the National Council on Independent Living's Ten Principles on Independent Living (attached).