News & Press Releases

Legislators Propose Crucial Funds for Individuals with Disabilities

Families and advocates celebrate proposed legislation that funds programs designed to keep adults and children with developmental disabilities in their local communities.

PRESS RELEASE
from the Illinois House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2007

For more information, contact State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz at 773-296-4141or State Rep. Kathy Ryg at 847-680-5909.

CHICAGO – State Reps. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills) introduced milestone legislation Monday for Illinoisans with developmental disabilities. HB2041 will provide much needed assistance to over 3,000 people with developmental disabilities currently not receiving services.

“This new legislation will go a long way to helping ensure people with developmental disabilities and their families get the appropriate services they need and deserve,” said Rep. Feigenholtz. “We still have a long road ahead of us, but this is a big step in improving the quality of life for all Illinoisans.”

Currently, advocates estimate there are approximately 200,000 Illinoisans with developmental disabilities and nationwide, Illinois ranks 47th in funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.

“HB 2041 represents real help for families and individuals,” said Rep. Ryg. “This important legislation provides opportunity for Illinois families to raise their children in the community.”

The legislators were joined by representatives from several statewide advocacy organizations for individuals with developmental disabilities, including The Arc of Illinois, the Autism Society of Illinois, Family Support Network, as well as people with developmental disabilities and their families.

FAMILY QUOTE #1

HB 2041 provides a much needed investment to several unique programs designed for people with developmental disabilities. They are a part of a growing trend to offer supports and services to individuals with disabilities and their families in their community and in their home. The bill funds the Community Integrated Living Arrangements ($10 million), the Family Assistance Program ($4 million), Home-Based Support Services Program ($8 million), and the new Children’s Support Services Waiver ($30 million).

“We are offering hope to families across the state,” said Tony Paulauski, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois. “We can now offer families, including those with children with developmental disabilities, access to critical supports and services.”

HB 2041 lays the groundwork of assisting the individuals on the state’s waiting list for support and services, or Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS). The list was created under the DHS-Cross Disability Database Senate Bill 0252 and records the number of individuals with present and future needs in Illinois. Though there are approximately 12,000 people on the waiting list, advocates note that the number only reflects a fraction of those with unmet needs in Illinois.

“Services are tied to the individual first, not the agency or service provider,” Christopher Kennedy, Legislative Liaison for the Autism Society of Illinois, said. “They offer individuals and families the opportunity to design the services best suited to their needs.”

The organizations encourage all families and individuals with developmental disabilities to contact their legislators and voice their support for HB 2041. For more information on this important legislation, please contact The Autism Society of Illinois at www.autismillinois.org or The Arc of Illinois at www.thearcofil.org or 309-693-8981.

“We need to help society’s most vulnerable human beings,” said FAMILY QUOTE #2 “And no one knows those challenges of caring for children and adults with developmental disabilities better than their families.”