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ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION
OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES, INC.
Executive Directors Notes
TO:
IARF Member Executives
FROM: Janet S. Stover, Executive Director
Jeff Stauter, Legislative Director
RE:
Meeting with Secretary Adams
DATE:
June 18, 2003
Jeff and I, along with members of the “Do the Right
Thing” coalition, met with DHS Secretary Carol Adams and key DHS staff this
morning. The meeting covered the four percent increase for community
programs, early intervention, the two percent budget reserve, ICF/DD
funding, personal assistant wages, family support services, and the
re-opening of the shuttered Lincoln Developmental Center. As you might
imagine, budget implementation issues dominated the meeting.
Here is a synopsis of the discussion that relates to
ECC:
- The department will implement the four percent
increase for most programs, except ICF/DD. Because of a technical problem
with the DHS budget implementation bill – or “bimp” - legislation will
need to be passed during the fall veto session to implement the ICF/DD
four percent.
- The two percent reserve requirement is more
complicated. According to DHS budget staff, the department plans to pay
providers for 98% of their contracts. This may mean reduced contracts or
reduced payments from the Comptroller’s office. There was a heated
discussion of how agencies will get this money from the state if revenues
hold over the year. The plan does not appear to be that well thought out.
The Association began immediately working with legislators that were
central to the human services budget negotiation and with the Governor’s
office to prevent a reduction in funding to community agencies. It is our
firm belief that it was not the intention of the General Assembly
to pass a balanced budget and then have the money not be spent on
services.
- There is no operations money in the DHS FY04 budget
for LDC. There is $7 million in the Capital Development Board, but how it
will be spent is not known. There may be a group of stakeholders convened
to develop a plan for the use of the former LDC property.
The Association will continue to bring you regular
updates on these important issues and to ask for grassroots involvement as
we determine it would be appropriate. This may include a letter writing
campaign expressing the serious concerns of how the 2% reserve affects
services. Stay tuned. |
Illinois
