The Arc of Illinois is pleased to announce that McManus Consulting has become an organizational affiliate. Welcome!

Call to Action

Once again, The Arc of IL is partnering with nearly 90 other organizations through They Deserve More to strengthen community-based intellectual and developmental disability supports in Illinois. Recently, I’ve shared information from the Division on Developmental Disabilities with regard to the CILA rate calculator and how its implementation will lead to a nearly 3.8 million hour decrease in direct support professional (DSP) reimbursement to provider agencies. This takes the Illinois community-based system in the wrong direction. What is needed is a commitment to strengthening, not weakening, system capacity. Please join us by sending an email to your legislators and tell them why a strong community IDD system is important to you. Ask for their support of HB3569 and SB2026, identical bills introduced by IARF which will increase DSP wages by $4/hour.

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Webinars

DDD announced earlier this week that we will be hosting two webinars next Thursday (3/30) and Friday (3/31) in partnership with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the new Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) vendor, HHA eXchange. As a reminder, EVV is a federal mandate passed by Congress in 2016 via the 21^st Century Cures Act. It requires states to implement technology-based systems that verify personal care services provided during home visits.

If you wish to submit questions for the webinar, please send those to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov. Please use the links below to register for one of the webinars.

• Thursday, March 30, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  Registration Link  
• Friday, March 31, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Registration Link 

REV UP!

The Arc of Illinois is pleased to announce that we have received another REV UP grant from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). REV UP stands for “Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!” The REV UP Voting Campaign is a nonpartisan, national, voting initiative focused on advancing the power of the disability vote. The mission is to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. Interested in learning more or hosting an event? Contact Carole Rosen at carole@thearcofil.org.

The Arc of IL is hiring a Part Time Finance Director

Are you a self-starter who enjoys a combination of hands on and strategic work and who can work independently to lead the financial operations of our organization? Are you looking for a part time position in a nonprofit setting? Join our team! Learn more here.

Ending of PHE

Recently, the Biden Administration announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. Due to the Congressional package passed December 2023 that ended the requirement for continuous Medicaid coverage, as many as 700,000 Illinoisians may lose Medicaid coverage on March 31^st. Every Medicaid beneficiary will need to go through a redetermination process and it is very important that Illinois Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Medicaid agency, has current addresses of beneficiaries to ensure that they receive correspondence related to redetermination. Learn more here.

Don’t risk losing your health insurance. Please update your address with Illinois Medicaid. It’s easy, fast, and free: Call 877-805-5312 from 7:45am–4:30pm or visit www.medicaid.illinois.gov. If you use a TTY, call 1-877-204-1012.

From Sabrina Wyman, Legislative Advocacy Coordinator

The Illinois House and Senate are in tomorrow for a busy week. Here is an update on some legislation we are watching:

HB 1346 (Rep. West) - MONITOR: Would amend the GATA Act to provide that the amount of money allowed to be spent for fringe benefits could be limited.

Status: Passed State Government Administration Committee. Placed on Calendar for 2nd Reading.

HB 3811 (Rep. Burke) - SUPPORT: Provides that any entity may make contributions to an ABLE account. Provides that the ABLE Account Program may also be referred to as the “Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.”

Status: Passed the House as amended. Will cross over to the Senate.

SB 339 (Sen. Joyce) - SUPPORT: An Arc of Illinois initiative that removes the 14(c) requirement for State Use Programs.

Status: Re-referred to Assignments. Expect to see this in an omnibus bill.

SB 1558 (Sen. Murphy) - SUPPORT: Develops a model program of study for DSPs. 

Status: Passed the Senate as amended. Has arrived in the House, with Rep. Moeller as Chief House Sponsor. 

SB 1674 (Sen. Fine) - SUPPORT: Provides that DHS must establish Short and Long-term Stabilization Homes Programs.

Status: Headed to Behavioral and Mental Health Committee as amended. 

SB 2026 (Sen. Murphy) - SUPPORT: IARF initiative that provides for a $4/hr DSP Wage Rate Increase

Status: Re-referred to Assignments.

We are also excited that Rep. Syed has passed her first bill in the House - HB3643 - and it includes voter registration as a goal in an IEP, helping to educate and empower students with disabilities to make their voice heard! It heads to the Senate with Chief Sponsor Sen. Villivalam. 

Additionally, President Biden’s office has released more information on his budget, investing $16.8 billion in IDEA, supporting children with disabilities. Check out the fact sheet here.

There's Still Time to Register for The Arc of Illinois 73rd Annual Convention

The Arc of Illinois 73rd Annual Convention will be presented in a hybrid format! Join us April 19 - 20 either in person or virtually for two days of presentations.

In-Person: The Convention will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lisle, IL. As an in-person attendee, you'll be able to hear from speakers in person, visit with our sponsors and exhibitors, view the silent auction items and art exhibit, and meet your fellow attendees. You have the option to attend the breakout session of your choice. 

Virtual: The Convention will be presented using Zoom Webinar. As a virtual attendee, you'll be able to join the live stream of the keynote and plenary presentations, and choose from two breakout sessions to join. Please see the agenda for more information on which breakout sessions will be presented virtually. Attendees will also have access to the Convention website with information on the sponsors, exhibitors, silent auction, and art exhibit.

NEW this year! A track of breakout sessions will be presented in Spanish. 

We have a dedicated site on our website for additional information, including our virtual Silent Auction, Art Exhibit, and Exhibitor Hall. 

The concept of Pathway was born in 1964 by a group of parents and several area professionals when they met to discuss the future of their children with developmental disabilities. These parents wanted the same educational opportunities for their children as everyone else. However, there were no classes available in the public school system. Today Pathway is led by CEO Ryan Dowd, and offers community day services, supported employment, and residential housing in Greene and Morgan County. The mission is still the same as it was in 1964. Pathway works together to develop better lives for individuals with developmental disabilities the area.

The organization is fortunate to have The Attic Resale Shop as part of its operations. People supported by Pathway have the opportunity to work in The Attic, engage in shredding documents for the local community, roll and bake our dog biscuits for sale, or engage in a variety of contractual work opportunities. People at Pathway are also engaged in community integrated employment at local businesses.

Detailed information about Pathway can be found through their website.

We’re participating in the myWalgreens donation program!

You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to The Arc of Illinois through July 31, 2023. At Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop and you can choose how much to donate. It’s that easy. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!

Northern Illinois University Research Study

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals

Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

To find free tax preparation assistance through VITA and TCE, click here: Get Free Tax Prep Help (treasury.gov)

Ladder Up offers a free, in-person Tax Assistance Program in Chicago, Aurora and Plainfield.  Tax Assistance Program (TAP) - Ladder Up (goladderup.org)

AARP provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Service

Thank you to our 2023 Annual Convention Sponsors!

VIP SPONSORS

KEYNOTE SPONSORS

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