Sponsors: Representative Golar and Representative Lang

• In response to the high rate of unemployment for people with disabilities, HB 655 would create the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force. The Task Force would be required to analyze programs and policies of the State, State disability systems, applicable research and policy studies, innovations used in other States, and federal policy initiatives, in order to remove barriers and increase employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

• Millions of federal and state dollars are invested each year in education, training, supported employment, vocational training and other services related to the employment and training of persons with disabilities in Illinois -- without any significant gains in the rate of competitive employment for persons with disabilities.

• It is in the best social and economic interests of the State of Illinois to expand competitive employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

• There has been a history of barriers to equal employment opportunity for persons with disabilities in Illinois, and those barriers continue to exist in the public and the private sectors.

• There are many qualified persons with disabilities in Illinois who are unable to obtain competitive employment.

• The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities far exceeds the unemployment rate for persons without disabilities.

• Competitive employment and other economic opportunity for persons with disabilities will facilitate self-sufficiency and independent living for more persons with disabilities.

For more information, please contact the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, at (217) 522-7016 or (800) 433-8848, or at ccdionline.org.

Senate Bill 68 would require insurance companies to provide coverage for hearing aids for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. This would be a great help to so many people who need hearing aids. Through great advocacy on the part of Deaf advocates statewide, this bill still has a chance, in spite of strong opposition from insurance lobbyists.

What can you do? Here’s what:

• Visit your SENATOR
• Explain why the bill is important
• Ask your SENATOR to sign on SB 68 and to vote for it when it comes up on the floor

Let’s show our power and get this bill passed!

For a list of priority bills that we are currently advocating for or against, go to the "issues and legislation" link in the CCDI Legislative Action Center on the main page.

NEW PUBLIC ACTS 95-1049—Insurance Coverage for Habilitative Care

Amends the Insurance Code and other acts with respect to mandated coverage. Requires health plans to cover habilitative services for children under the age of 19. These services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and other services prescribed by the insured’s treating physician pursuant to a treatment plan to enhance the child’s ability to function with a congenital, genetic, or early acquired disorder. The new Act goes into effect on January 1, 2010.

BILLS PENDING-- NOTE: By the time this article is published many of the bills that have passed both houses will have been sent to the Governor. The Governor then has 60 days from the date the bill is sent to him to act on the bill.

HB 30—Autism/Family Preservation Services

Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop and implement a program of family preservation services to support intact, foster and adoptive families who are experiencing extreme hardship due to the difficulty of caring for a child with pervasive developmental disorder. Requires DCFS to develop a public information campaign to alert public healthcare providers, social service agencies and the general public about these family preservation services. House Sponsor: Flowers (D-Chicago). Senate Sponsor: Koehler (D-Peoria). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 39—Home Services/Spouse Caregiver Demonstration

Requires the Department of Human Services, in conjunction with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to develop a demonstration project within the Home Services Program under which a spouse may be reimbursed for providing care to his or her spouse in selected counties and under specified conditions. Limits participation in the demonstration project to no more than 100 individuals in a fiscal year. CCDI supports.House Sponsor: Moffitt(R-Galesburg). Senate Sponsor: Koehler (D-Peoria. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 47—Freedom of Information Act/Disability Database Exemption

Provides that files, documents, and other data or databases maintained by one or more law enforcement agencies and specifically designed to provide information to one or more law enforcement agencies regarding the physical or mental status of one or more individuals are exempt from inspection and copying requirements under the FOIA. Defines “physical or mental status” as (1) any physical or mental disability, defect, or malady that would or could present a danger to a responding law enforcement officer or to the general public or (2) any physical or mental disability, defect, or malady that a responding officer should be aware of for the safety of the officer or for the safety of the individual. House Sponsor: Brady(R-Bloomington) Senate Sponsor: Millner (R-Elmhurst).Last Action: Passed both houses 5-22-09.

HB 244—Insurance Coverage/ Physical Therapy for MS

Amends various Acts to require insurance coverage for medically necessary preventative physical therapy for covered individuals who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. House Sponsor: Pritchard(R-DeKalb) Senate Sponsor: Holmes(D-Aurora). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 366—Illinois Cares Rx Eligibility

The bill would provide the same “plus” level of benefits for all beneficiaries of the Illinois Cares Rx program, our Medicare Part D wraparound program. This would primarily benefit individuals with disabilities ages 55-64 who currently have the “basic” coverage that provides a lesser benefit level. House Sponsor: Franks (D-Woodstock); Senate Sponsor: Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 628—Special Education/Visitation for Observation or Evaluation

This bill would require school districts to allow a parent reasonable access to school programs, facilities and personnel and to the child for the purposes of observation, and would allow a qualified professional retained by or on behalf of a parent access for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of the child in the school setting. Visitors would be required to comply with applicable security, safety and privacy laws and policies. House Sponsor: Osterman (D-Chicago); Senate Sponsor: Steans (D-Chicago). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-28-09.

HB 655—Commission on Employment and Economic Opportunity

CCDI initiative that establishes a State Commission on competitive employment and economic opportunity for people with disabilities. States the purposes and responsibilities of the Commission and specifies the membership. House Sponsor: Golar(D-Chicago); Senate Sponsor: Collins (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 725—American Sign Language/Credits

Encourages school boards to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) courses into foreign language curriculum. With respect to public universities, provides that the foreign language admission credit may include ASL, and allows the award of academic credit for the successful completion of an ASL course. House Sponsor: Watson (R-Jacksonville); Senate Sponsor: Hultgren (R-Wheaton).Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 745—Public Aid Application Rights

Amends the Public Aid Code to provide that an application for assistance may be filed with any local DHS office, that the applicant has the right to have his or her file transferred to another local office for his or her convenience based on several factors, and that, in food stamps cases in which an applicant or recipient reports earned income, the applicant’s or recipient’s employment shall be presumed to be a hardship for the purposes of scheduling an in-person meeting with a representative of the Department and the in-person meeting shall be waived. House Sponsor: Feigenholtz (D-Chicago); Senate Sponsor: Collins (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 746—Rapid Re-integration Pilot Program

The bill would amend the Disabilities Services Act of 2003 to add provisions for a Rapid Re-integration Pilot Program to be operated by the Department of Human Services to demonstrate that individuals with physical disabilities and individuals with mental illness who require short-term stays in nursing homes after being discharged from hospital care can be successfully returned to their communities and to their own homes without experiencing unnecessary institutionalization. There are currently pilot sites in operation in Rockford and Springfield. This bill was originally HB 2392 (Golar, D-Chicago). House Sponsor: Feigenholtz(D-Chicago) Senate Sponsor: Koehler (D-Peoria).Last Action: Passed both houses 5-29-09.

HB 748—Nursing Home Admission/Advance Directives

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Health Care Surrogate Act. Provides that within 30 days after admission to a nursing home, new residents who do not have a guardian of the person or an executed power of attorney for health care shall be provided with written notice of their right to provide the name of one or more potential health care surrogates that a treating physician should consider in selecting a surrogate to act on the resident’s behalf should the resident lose decision-making capacity. Provides that a signed copy of the resident’s declaration of a potential health care surrogate or decision to decline to make such a declaration, or documentation by the facility of the resident’s inability to make such a declaration, shall be placed in the resident’s clinical record and shall satisfy the facility’s obligation concerning Do-Not-Resuscitate orders. Provides that such a declaration shall be used only for informational purposes in the selection of a surrogate pursuant to the Health Care Surrogate Act. Provides that a facility that complies with these provisions is not liable to any healthcare provider, resident, or resident’s representative or any other person relating to the identification or selection of a surrogate or potential health care surrogate. Requires that a health care facility maintain a declaration of a potential surrogate or surrogates should the person become incapacitated or impaired in the patient’s medical records for the duration of the patient’s stay. House Sponsor: Ryg (D-Vernon Hills); Senate Sponsor: Garrett (D-Lake Forest).Last Action: Passed both houses 5-19-09.

HB 751—State Operated Developmental Centers/Sale of Land

The bill provides that if a State Operated Developmental Center for persons with developmental disabilities is closed and the land on which it sits is sold, the net proceeds of the sale shall be deposited into the Community Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Trust Fund (instead of into the General Revenue Fund). Further, the bill provides that if a State Operated Developmental Center for Persons with mental illness is closed and the land on which it sits is sold, the net proceeds of the sale shall be deposited into the Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund. The bill was amended in the Senate to add a provision stating that the Department of Human Services may opt to build a new facility on the site or may allow a private purchaser of the property to build a facility. House Sponsor: Ryg(D-Vernon Hills). Senate Sponsor: Steans (D-Chicago). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-28-09.

HB 758—Community DD and MH Services/FMAP

Requires that 100% of the federal Medicaid matching funds generated by community developmental disabilities services or community mental health services shall be deposited into the Community Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Trust Fund or the Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund, respectively. Currently there is a cap on the annual amount of FMAP deposited into these trust funds. House Sponsor: Ryg (D-Vernon Hills). Senate Sponsor: Frerichs (D-Gifford). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-15-09.

HB 759—Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act

Creates this new Act, which contains provisions regarding jurisdiction over adult guardianships, conservatorships, and other protective proceedings. House Sponsor: Ryg(D-Vernon Hills). Senate Sponsor: Silverstein (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 796—LIHEAP/Departmental Transfer

Transfers the administrative responsibilities for the low-income energy assistance program back to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Allows DCEO to set the maximum eligibility level for the LIHEAP program at 200% of the federal poverty level (now 150%) until the earlier of July 1, 2012, or the expiration of certain federal resources allocated under the federal economic stimulus program. House Sponsor: Dugan (D-Kankakee) Senate Sponsor: Wilhelmi (D-Joliet). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 818—HBWD/Medically Improved Disability

Would allow a person who is determined by the Social Security Administration to have a medically improved disability to remain on the Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities program if the person meets all other HBWD eligibility criteria. Implementation is subject to federal approval. House Sponsor: Nekritz (D-DesPlaines); Senate Sponsor: Delgado (D-Chicago). CCDI supports.Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 979—Special Education Transition Plans

Amends the Illinois School Code concerning transition plans for students with disabilities. Aligns the language of the Code with IDEA 2004 and its implementing regulations. Stresses that the transition planning process is part of the IEP process. Adds requirements with respect to monitoring and reporting on a student’s referral to and participation in transition activities involving an outside entity. House Sponsor: Coulson (R-Glenview). Senate Sponsor: Koehler(D-Peoria). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 1035—Disability History Awareness

Amends the School Code and various acts concerning higher education. Requires the State Board of Education to promote an annual campaign about disability history and awareness. Requires school districts to provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement. Requires regional superintendents of schools to monitor school districts’ compliance. Allows each public university to conduct and promote activities that provide education on, awareness of, and an understanding of disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement. House Sponsor: Flider (D-Decatur); Senate Sponsor: Hutchinson(D-Chicago Heights). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-13-09.

HB 1335—School Press Boxes/Accessibility Code

Amends the Illinois School Code to provide that a school board does not have to comply with the Illinois Accessibility Code with respect to accessibility to press boxes that are on school property if the press boxes were constructed before the effective date of this amendatory Act. Creates an Illinois Accessibility Task Force to recommend revisions to the Illinois Accessibility Code to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act with respect to public school property. House Sponsor: Schmitz (R-Batavia); Senate Sponsor: Althoff (R-Crystal Lake. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-28-09.

HB 2290—Involuntary Sterilization

Amends the Probate Act by adding a section concerning sterilization of a ward. Requires a guardian to first obtain an order from the court granting the guardianship before consenting to sterilization of the ward, except for a procedure that is medically necessary to preserve the life of the ward or to prevent serious impairment to the health of the ward and which may result in sterilization. The bill provides various legal and evaluation procedures to protect the ward against an unwanted or unnecessary sterilization. House Sponsor: Ryg (D-Vernon Hills); Senate Sponsor: Steans (D-Chicago). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-15-09.

HB 2547—Human Rights—Places of Public Accommodations/Educational Entities

CCDI initiative that amends the Public Accommodations article of the Illinois Human Rights Act to remove an exemption that currently applies to classroom activities in non-sectarian schools and similar non-sectarian entities. Provides that such entities are covered under the Act for certain discriminatory acts related to classes or classroom activity, including severe or pervasive harassment if the covered entity fails to take corrective action. Provides that actions protected by the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution are not to be considered discriminatory. Effective date January 1, 2010. House sponsor: Fritchey (D-Chicago); Senate Sponsor: Steans (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-22-09.

HB 2652—Insurance Coverage for Prosthetics and Customized Orthotics

Amends various acts concerning health insurance. Provides coverage for prosthetic and customized orthotic devices that is no less favorable than the terms and conditions applicable to substantially all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan or coverage. Requires coverage of repairs and replacements. Provides that a policy or plan may require prior authorization. House Sponsor: Joyce (D-Chicago); Senate Sponsor: Munoz (D-Chicago). Last Action: Referred to Insurance Committee 5-27-009.

HB 4081—Sexual Assault Survivor/Emergency Medical Treatment

Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act to provide that any person (now any minor) who is a sexual assault survivor who seeks emergency hospital services and forensic services or follow-up healthcare under the Act shall be provided such services without the consent of any parent, guardian, custodian, surrogate, or agent. Further provides that if the survivor is an adult who has a guardian of the person, a health care surrogate, or an agent acting under a health care power of attorney, the consent of the guardian, surrogate or agent is not required to release evidence and information concerning the sexual assault. Further provides that if the adult survivor is unable to provide consent for the release of evidence and information and a guardian, surrogate, or agent under a health care power of attorney is unavailable or unwilling to release the information, an investigating law enforcement officer may authorize the release. House Sponsor: Ryg (D-Vernon Hills); Senate Sponsor: Hunter (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-15-09.

SB 27—“Silver Alert” System

Establishes a public alert system for for missing and endangered adults similar to the current “Amber Alert” system for missing children. Senate Sponsor: Crotty (D-Oak Forest); House Sponsor: Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn). CCDI supports. Last Action: Passed both houses 5-27-09.

SB 40—Incentives for Hiring Persons with Disabilities

Amends the Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to require CMS, in cooperation with DHS, IDES and other State agencies, to develop and implement programs to increase the number of qualified employees with disabilities working in the State. The programs shall include provisions to increase the number of persons with disabilities hired for positions with specific job titles for which they have been assessed and awarded a passing grade. Requires CMS and DHS to submit an annual report to the Governor and to the General Assembly concerning their actions. Further, requires CMS to collect certain data concerning federal tax credits and deductions for hiring employees with disabilities for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Senate Sponsor: Garrett (D-Lake Forest); House Sponsor: Ryg (D-Vernon Hills). CCDI supports. Last Action: Sent to the Governor 5-27-09.

SB 327—State Facility Closure/Restrictions

Amends the State Facilities Closure Act to provide that if appropriations have been made for the current State fiscal year for the operation of a State facility during the entire fiscal year, then no action may be taken to close the facility, to reduce its capacity to serve the number of residents, youth, or inmates for which the appropriation was made, or to move its location from the county in which the service is provide, unless the action is specifically approved by the same joint resolution of the General Assembly. Senate Sponsor: Crotty (D-Oak Forest); House Sponsor: Riley (D-Matteson). CCDI opposes. Last Action: Failed in the House Executive Committee 5-13-09. Re-referred to the House Rules Committee 5-31-09.

HB 2376

HB 2376 is the identical House companion to SB 327. House sponsor: C. Gordon (D-Coal City). Senate sponsor: Crotty (D-Oak Forest). CCDI opposes. Last Action: Placed on 3rd Reading in the Senate 5-14-09.

SB 1348—CILA Investigation

Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act to provide that the Department of Human Services shall (rather than may) conduct an investigation upon receipt of a complaint to ensure that a community mental health or developmental disabilities service agency is in compliance with the Act. Provides that in the case of an agency operating without a license or permit, DHS shall (rather than may) investigate, notify the agency and make referrals to investigatory or law enforcement agencies. Senate Sponsor: Hendon (D-Chicago); House Sponsor: Dunkin (D-Chicago). Last Action: Lost on 3rd Reading in the House 14-100-1on 6-1-09.

SB 1499—Community Services/Commission

This bill amends the Community Services Act concerning a commission that was supposed to have been created in 2007, but was not. The commission is intended to review funding methodologies, identify gaps in funding, identify revenue, and prioritize the use of revenue for community developmental disabilities services, mental health services, alcohol and substance abuse services, rehabilitation services, and early intervention services. Under SB 1499, the commission must be appointed by the Governor by September 1, 2009, and the commission’s final report due date would be pushed back to September 1, 2010. Adds as ex-officio nonvoting members of the commission the Director of DHS/DDD, the Director of DHS/DMH and the Director of DHS/DASA. Senate Sponsor: Hunter (D-Chicago); House Sponsor: Golar (D-Chicago). Last Action: Passed both houses 5-27-09.

SB 1541—Accessible Parking Program

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a special parking decal or device for a person with a disability may be used by the authorized holder, rather than the special parking decal or device being the property of the person with a disability. Removes language concerning the revocation or suspension of a person’s driving privileges and revocation of disability license plates or parking decals or devices for violation of provisions concerning the unauthorized use of parking places reserved for persons with disabilities because similar language appears elsewhere in those provisions. Provides that a police officer may seize the parking decal or device from any person who commits a violation of the unauthorized use of parking places reserved for persons with disabilities provision, may request that the Secretary of State revoke the parking decal or device or the disability license plate of any person who commits a violation of that provision, and may seize the disability license plate upon authorization from the Secretary of State. Senate Sponsor: Bond (D-Grayslake); House Sponsor: Froehlich (D-Schaumberg). CCDI supports. Last Action: Sent to the Governor 5-27-09.

2009 – 2010 ADVOCACY GOALS According to CCDI bylaws Section 7.1, these are the approved advocacy goals CCDI members will focus advocacy efforts on from July 2009 to June 2010.

• GOAL #1 – Employment – To conduct ongoing advocacy efforts aimed towards improving employment opportunities for Illinois citizens with disabilities. This goal will be the highest priority for the organization.
• GOAL #2 - Accessible Parking – To conduct advocacy activities that will increase the awareness of and/or compliance with federal, state and local parking accessibility laws among Illinois entities.
• GOAL #3 - Affordable and Accessible Transportation – To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on increasing affordable and accessible transportation options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #4 - Affordable & Accessible Housing - To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on increasing affordable and accessible housing options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #5 - Healthcare - To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on increasing the availability of affordable healthcare options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #6 - Olmstead Implementation – To conduct ongoing advocacy efforts aimed towards advancing the implementation Olmstead in the least restrictive environment and furthering community choice options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #7 – Energy Assistance - To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on increasing the awareness and availability of low income heating and energy assistance (LIHEAP) options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #8 – Transition – To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on improving transitioning services for Illinois students with disabilities.
• GOAL #9 – Civil Rights – To conduct ongoing advocacy efforts aimed towards decreasing the violation of human rights and discrimination of Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #10 - Assistive Technology – To support and/or collaborate with other organizations that focus on improving the availability of assistive technology options for Illinois citizens with disabilities.
• GOAL #11 - Voter Registration & Participation – To conduct advocacy activities aimed towards increasing the number of registered voters with disabilities in Illinois.
• GOAL #12 – CIL Programs & Services – To support and/or collaborate with Illinois Centers for Independent Living (CIL) on efforts to increase funding or enhance CIL programs and services.

CCDI will also support all legislation and/or proposals at the local, State and Federal level that hold true to the Mission & Vision of CCDI.

Each year, CCDI chooses at least one legislator from Illinois to honor with the Senator Penny Severns Memorial Award. This award goes to the legislator who has done the most to advance the rights of citizens with disabilities in Illinois.

In 1992 Senator Penny Severns was one of the recipients of the Legislator of the Year Award. Senator Severns proved herself as a real advocate for people with disabilities during her time in the Illinois General Assembly. She was dedicated to issues such as health care reform, and Senator Severns was a major supporter of centers for independent living. In 1998 the award was renamed in honor of Senator Severns; she lost her battle with cancer that year.

This year's recipient of the Legislator of the Year Award goes to State Representative Golar.

Representative Golar is a Democrat representing the 6th District in the Illinois House of Representatives. She is the Chairperson of the Disability Services Committee. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities through public policy initiatives. A highlight of some of Representative Golar's legislative accomplishments supporting people with disabilities are as follows.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 655 which creates the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force Act which analyzes programs, policies and systems of the State as well as applicable research, innovations used in other States and any federal policy initiatives to determine what changes, modifications, and innovations may be necessary to remove barriers to competitive employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

Representative Golar is the primary sponsor of HB 2392 which amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003 and creates the Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program to demonstrate that, with appropriate support and services, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with mental illness, and individuals age 65 and older who need a short-term placement in a nursing facility can successfully return to the community without institutionalization.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 5326 which creates the Consumer Alternatives Program Act to prevent or avoid the unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with mental or substance use disorders or a co-occurring disorder of mental illness and substance abuse, and to provide cost effective, community residential settings and supports that enable these individuals to live successfully in the community.

Representative Golar is the primary sponsor of HB 443 which appropriates $31,600,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Community Care Program workers. HB 443 appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Home Services Program workers.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 444 which amends the Illinois Act on Aging and provides that a vendor of home care aide services or personal assistant services is entitled to a rate increase of $1.32 per hour if the vendor uses at least $0.70 of that increase to increase the wages of home care aides and personal assistants and the vendor uses an additional $0.13 of that increase for health insurance assistance for home care aides and personal assistants.

Representative Golar is the sponsor of HB 5834 which amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and provides that a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated web-based system that documents in real time the availability of services offered for adults and children with disabilities. It shall be publicly accessible to allow primary and secondary customers to develop person-centered services plans, search for services or supports needed within a consumer specific time period, and track agency progress in providing needed services or supports, and to determine service gaps in the system.

Additionally, Representative Golar is also the sponsor of HB 6177 which amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and provides that no property owner shall allow any unreasonable obstruction of a designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities after 24 hours following the conclusion of an adverse weather event. It also provides that no property owner shall allow the accumulation of debris or large objects to unreasonably obstruct any designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities without providing suitable and equivalent alternative parking spaces on-site.

Representative Golar is a native of Chicago. She attended Malcolm X College and is a member of the Alternative Policing Strategy, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc., and the Robert Fulton Elementary Local School Council. She has received the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Leadership Award and recently received the Carl Suter Award presented by the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED) awarded to those who strive to further the rights and opportunities for Illinois citizens with disabilities.

Representative Golar is a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ. She has lived in the New City community of Chicago since 1983.

By Phil Milsk, CCDI Legislative Affairs Consultant

Legislators are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until April 1st. The deadline has passed for bills to advance out of committee in the house in which they originated, so with the exception of a few bills that may be allowed extended deadlines, bills that failed to move out of committee as of the end of last week are essentially dead.

When the members return on April 1st they will begin deliberating on bills that have been favorably reported out of committees. The next deadline is April 18 when bills must pass from the house of origin to the second chamber. A one-week break for Passover is scheduled for April 21-25, and when both houses return on April 29 we will hopefully be in the stretch run. The scheduled adjournment date is Thursday, May 29. However, given our experience with the budget in 2007 and the apparent lack of anything even approaching an agreement on the budget, the prospects of finishing on time this year seem dismal.

SPECIAL EDUCATION:
House Bill 4822 (Coulson, R-Glenview): This bill would update the secondary transition planning section of the Illinois School Code to align its provisions with IDEA. We are working on an amendment with the State Board of Education and the sponsor that would further promote successful transition outcomes. CCDI strongly supports this bill.
STATUS: House 3rd Reading.

WORK INCENTIVES:
House Bill 5251 (Nekritz, D-DesPlaines): This measure, as amended, would change the section of the Public Aid Code dealing with the Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities program (HBWD) by allowing an individual who is determined by the Social Security Administration to have "medical improvement" to remain on the HBWD program as long as the individual is otherwise eligible. This will benefit a small number of individuals each year whose HBWD eligibility is terminated due to medical improvement.
STATUS: House 3rd Reading. CCDI strongly supports this bill.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS:
House Bill 4449 (Franks, D-Woodstock): Raises the level of pharmaceutical assistance coverage under the Illinois Cares Rx program ("Circuit Breaker") for persons with disabilities between the ages of 55 and 64 and certain individuals age 65 and over. Illinois Cares Rx is designed to fill gaps in the Medicare Part D drug program.
STATUS: House, 2nd Reading. CCDI strongly supports this bill.

DISABILITY AWARENESS EDUCATION:
House Bill 4537 (Flider, D-Decatur): This is an initiative of self-advocates from the Decatur area that calls for school districts to conduct instruction, and/or activities during the school year that promote awareness of disabilities and the disability rights movement.
STATUS: House, 3rd Reading. CCDI supports this bill.

HUMAN RIGHTS:
Senate Bill 2256 (Cullerton, D-Chicago): A follow-up to our SB 593 from 2007. It makes a change in the Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act concerning places of public accommodation in regard to educational facilities. The bill would narrow the exemption created last year for activities that take place in a classroom or in physical education so that the Department of Human Rights would have jurisdiction over certain acts of discrimination that occur in the classroom.
STATUS: Senate, 2nd Reading. CCDI strongly supports this bill.

EMPLOYMENT:
Senate Bill 2538(Garrett, D-Highwood): As amended, the bill requires the Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement plans to increase the number of individuals with a disability employed by State government and to submit an annual report. It also would require the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect employment of individuals with a disability. Further, it would require the Department of Human Services to collect information during the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 regarding employers' claims of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit and to submit an annual report. The bill also provides that a chief procurement officer of a State agency may, as part of any solicitation, encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring qualified individuals with a disability and to notify them of any available financial incentives or other advantages associated with hiring such persons.
STATUS: Senate, 2nd Reading. CCDI is working with the sponsor and other disability advocates on this legislation. Further amendments, including one that would create a mentoring program, are under consideration at this time.

HEALTH CARE ACCESS:
Senate Bill 1925 (Schoenberg, D-Wilmette): This bill would provide State-funded healthcare coverage for uninsured individuals whose incomes are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Amendments are currently being discussed to add requirements that would promote cost-savings.
STATUS: Senate, 2nd Reading. CCDI supports this legislation.

We are about to begin the second year of the 95th General Assembly. The activities get underway in earnest on February 13, 2008, when both the House and Senate return to Springfield hoping to take care of the State's business in a timely and conciliatory manner. Many are predicting a repeat of 2007, when important matters were not settled until January, 2008. Look for the budget, capital projects, gaming expansion, education funding and revenues to be the hottest subjects in 2008.

Because the bill introduction deadline is not until February 15, 2008, we anticipate that several thousand more bills will be filed on or before that date. Therefore, we will not provide a detailed list of new legislation until all of the new bills are on record.

We are hoping to move several bills this year that would: (1) Help to improve transition services and outcomes for students with disabilities in high school, (2) Give parents some basic rights if their child is participating in Response to Intervention (RTI) instead of special education, (3) Work with Sen. Susan Garrett (sponsor of SB 156) and other advocacy groups to expand employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Illinois, and (4) Clarify a provision of the Illinois Human Rights Act regarding places of public accommodation by modifying language concerning schools that was amended last year (SB 593).

The bill numbers for these initiatives will be available soon.

DISABILITY AWARENESS BILL INTRODUCED
A group of self-advocates has asked Rep. Bob Flider (D-Decatur) to introduce a bill that would require the State Board of Education to promote and implement an annual campaign about disability history and awareness in Illinois during 2 weeks in September and 2 weeks in January. The bill would require the State Board to make an annual report to the General Assembly on the status and implementation of the campaign. It would also require each school district to provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities and the disability rights movement in each grade during the campaign. Further, the bill allows each public university in Illinois to participate in the campaign. The bill is HB 4537 and it is currently in the House Rules Committee.

FEDERAL UPDATE
IDEA RESTORATION BILLS
Several bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress in an effort to overturn recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have severely restricted the rights of parents of children with disabilities in special education due process hearings and civil actions and exacerbated the imbalance that exists between the school districts and parents in these matters. H.R. 4188(Van Hollen and Sessions) was introduced in the U.S. House on November 14, 2007 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. The bill would overturn the 2006 Supreme Court decision in Arlington v. Murphy by providing that a prevailing party in an action or proceeding to enforce the IDEA may be awarded expert witness fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary for the preparation of the parent's or guardian's case.

S. 2554 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kennedy (D-MA). It is titled the "Civil Rights Act of 2008" and attempts to reverse a number of Supreme Court decisions that narrowly interpret various federal civil rights laws. Of interest to us are the provisions that apply to IDEA cases. The bill would negate the effect of the Court's 2001 Buckhannon decision by providing that a "prevailing party" is a party "whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change of position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought." In other words, under the bill, if a parent brings a non-frivolous due process hearing request and enters into a voluntary settlement with the school district as a result of the request for a hearing that brings about a significant part of the relief sought by the parent, the parent would be considered a prevailing party for the purpose of being awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs. This bill would also allow a parent or guardian who is a prevailing party to recover expert witness fees. There is also a House version of this bill, H.R. 5129, introduced by Rep. Lewis (D-Georgia).

VISITABILITY LEGISLATION
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) and several of her House colleagues, including Rep. Danny Davis (D-Illinois) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), introduced H.R. 4202, the "Inclusive Home Design Act of 2007" on November 15, 2007. The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the House Financial Services Committee. This bill would require all newly constructed, federally-assisted, single-family houses and townhouses to meet minimum standards of visitability for persons with disabilities. If enacted, the bill would apply prospectively (to homes built after the effective date of the new Act). The legislation sets forth visitability standards and an enforcement mechanism. Rep. Schakowsky has long been an advocate of visitability dating back to her days in the Illinois General Assembly. We applaud her for her leadership in this area.

Congress has passed 2 versions of a bill to reauthorize SCHIP. SCHIP is a state-federal partnership that provides health insurance coverage to 6 million children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The President vetoed the first bill on October 3, 2007. The second bill, which contained some modifications to address some of the President’s concerns, passed the House on October 25, 2007, and has now also passed the Senate. However, the bill has not been sent to the President, who has promised to veto the new version, too. Negotiations are underway between key Senate supporters of the bill and House Republicans. One key issue is the extent to which states will be able to claim federal matching funds for health coverage provided to adult caretakers of eligible children.

Illinois would stand to gain almost $500 million to cover uninsured children under the 2nd SCHIP bill passed by Congress. The following members of the Illinois House delegation voted in favor of the bill: Bean, Costello, Davis, Emanuel, Gutierrez, Hare, Jackson, Jr., Kirk, LaHood, Lipinski, Rush, and Schakowsky. Voting against were Biggert, Hastert, Johnson, Manzullo, Roskam, Shimkus, and Weller.

A spring 2008 session calendar has been issued. The first scheduled session days are January 9 and 10, 2008. These are the only regular session days in January for both the House and Senate. Perfunctory days (days on which committees can be scheduled and bills can be introduced, but the members do not actually go into session) are scattered throughout the month.

The deadline for introducing substantive bills in both the House and Senate is February 15, 2008. The House has set January 11th as its deadline for submitting bill drafting requests to LRB.

With the exception of a couple of perfunctory days, both houses are not scheduled the last 2 weeks of March.

The scheduled adjournment date has been set for May 29th.

Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations for FY 2008
On Thursday, November 15, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to override the President’s veto of H.R. 3043, the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. The override effort failed by 2 votes. The Labor-HHS-Education bill funds programs that are critical to the health and well-being of persons with disabilities including LIHEAP, the Social Services Block Grant, IDEA Parts B and C, No Child Left Behind (Title I) , grants to the states for Adult Basic and Literacy Education, Job Training for Adults and Youth, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) various health and substance abuse treatment programs, and Pell Grants.

The President vetoed the bill on November 13, 2007 because it called for $9.8 billion more in spending than the President had requested.

A Continuing Resolution is funding the federal government at last year’s levels through December 14, 2007.

Here are a few key Labor-HHS-Education line items and how they would fare under the President’s recommended levels compared to the bill passed by Congress:

All FY 2007 Level Adjusted for Inflation

LIHEAP:
FY 2007 Level: $2.220 billion
President’s Budget Request: 1.782 billion (-20%)
H.R. 3043: 2.411 billion (+9%)

Social Services Block Grant:
FY 2007 Level: $1.746 billion
President’s Budget Request: 1.200 billion (-31%)
H.R. 3043 1.700 billion (-3%)

Community Services Block Grant:
FY 2007 Level: $647.6 million
President’s Budget Request: 0 (-100%)
H.R. 3043 $665.4 million (+3%)

IDEA Part B Grants to States:
FY 2007 Level: $11.077 billion
President’s Budget Request:10.491 billion (-5%)
H.R. 3043: 11.292 billion (+2%)

IDEA Part C Grants to States (“Early Intervention”):
FY 2007 Level: $450.3 million
President’s Budget Request: 423.0 million (-6%)
H.R. 3043: 443.2 million (-2%)

How did the Illinois Delegation Vote?
(A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of H.R. 3043 and for an override of the President's veto). Y=Yes N=No

DEMOCRATS: Bean (Y), Jackson, Jr. (Y), Davis (Y), Schakowsky(Y), Lipinski(Y), Emanuel(Y), Costello(Y), Gutierrez(Y), Rush(Y), Hare(Y)

REPUBLICANS: Biggert (Y), Johnson(Y), Kirk(Y), Roskam(N), Hastert(N), Shimkus(N), Manzullo (N), LaHood (did not vote), Weller (did not vote)