Statewide Independent Living
Council of Illinois

May 1, 2008

Attendees

Executive Committee :

• Christie Gilson, Chair, Urbana
• Mark Karner, Secretary, Forest Park
• Gail Kear, Treasurer, Bloomington
• Members : David Dailey, Springfield
• Melanie Fleenor, ISBE, Springfield
• Terry Gipson, Joliet
• Willie Gunther, Springfield
• Pam Heavens, Joliet
• Catrina Johnson, Carbondale
• Dawn Lucasey, Springfield
• Jose Mendez, Chicago
• John Miller, Sherman
• Judy Panko Reis, Wilmette
• Barbara Pritchard, Urbana
• Liz Sherwin, Rock Island
• Ruth Thompson, Rushville
• Ken Williams, DHS/DRS, Chicago

Guest :

• Sean Barrett, RSA, Washington DC
• Ann Ford, INCIL, Springfield
• Michael Horstman, Attorney, Springfield
• Kerry Jennings, Springfield

Staff :

• Gerard Broeker, Executive Director
• Tara Dunning, Financial Manager

Absent :

• Kevin Byrd, DDD, Springfield
• Charlotte Cronin, Peoria
• John Eckert, IDOA, Springfield
• Anel Gonzalez, Vice Chair, Chicago
• Michael Wonderlich, DCFS, Chicago

Call to Order :

The meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois was called to order by Chair Gilson at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday May 1, 2008. Chair Gilson welcomed all the members and guests and introductions were made.

Approval of Minutes : The minutes of the February 7, 2008 meeting were distributed for review and approval.

MOTION: David Dailey motioned to approval of minutes of February 7, 2008. The motion was seconded by Terry Gipson. Motion carried.

RSA Discussion : Sean Barrett from Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) gave an overview regarding the purpose of the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). Barrett explained the purpose of his visit this week is to monitor and review the implementation of the SPIL. He also discussed the role of the SILC and the use of Title VII, Part B dollars.

MOTION: Dailey motioned to bring the concerns of RSA regarding the use of the SILC budget in regards to CIL trainings to the Operations Committee for possible amendment of the Fiscal Policy and recommendations to the Council. Pritchard seconded the motion. Motion carried.

INCIL Report: Ann Ford reported on the success of the Annual Disability Rights/Independent Living Conference that was held April 28-30. 2008. The conference was a huge success and INCIL is excited about the possibility of partnering with the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois again next year.

Election of Officers : At this time a slate of candidates for officers was presented and nominations were taken from the floor. New officers will take office on July 1, 2008. At the close of nominations, elections were held by private ballot.

MOTION : Heavens motioned to open the floor to nominations. Mendez seconded the motion. Motion carried.

One nomination was taken from the floor.

MOTION: Heavens motioned to close the nominations. Mendez seconded. Motion carried.

A silent ballot was cast and the following officers were elected.

• Liz Sherwin – Chair
• Anel Gonzalez – Vice Chair
• Mark Karner – Secretary
• Gail Kear – Treasurer

Chair Report: Chair Gilson reported on the evaluation from RSA. There was one finding regarding the use of Title VII, Part B funds for CIL training. The Operations Committee will discuss this finding and bring recommendations to the Council in August. Gilson reported on the Disability Rights / Independent Living Conference held this week.

Treasurer Report : Treasurer Kear discussed the year to date expenditure report as of March 31, 2008. The budget seems to be right on track for the end of the fiscal year.

MOTION : Pritchard motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Mendez seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Committee Reports

Executive Committee : Chair Gilson distributed for discussion and approval the timeline for the 2011-2013 SPIL. The Executive Committee has developed the timeline so that a more thorough and inclusive procedure be performed when writing the next SPIL.

MOTION : A motion was made by Executive Committee to accept the timeline as presented. This motion was seconded by Dailey. Motion passed.

Outreach Committee : In the absence of the Committee Chairperson, Committee member Mendez gave a brief report on the activities of the Committee. A questionnaire is being developed which will be distributed to all 23 CILs. The questionnaire is regarding success reaching out to underserved populations. The goal of the questionnaire is to create a best practices guide for use by all CILs in the state.

Planning Committee : Committee Chair Karner discussed the two goals that the Committee as been working on. Needs assessment and convening a workgroup.

Operations Committee : Committee Chair Kear discussed several issues that she would like the Council to take action on.

• adding more local Council members as signers on the checking account so that there is always someone available to sign checks that are over $1,000
• review the bids from auditors for fiscal year 2008
• approval of funds to be used to pay for legislative reception
• approval of funds to be used for new phone system
• accept a bid for a new phone system

MOTION : A motion was made by the Operations Committee to add Lucasey and Gunther as signers to the checking account. Dailey seconded the motion. Motion carried.

MOTION: A motion was made by the Operations Committee to accept the bid from the accounting firm of Estes, Bridgewater and Ogden to perform SILC’s fiscal year 2008 audit. Gipson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

MOTION: A motion was made by the Operations Committee to authorize payment of SILC’s portion of the legislative reception with non grant funds. Dailey seconded the motion. Motion carried.

MOTION A motion was made by the Operations Committee authorize payment of new phone system with non grant funds. Gipson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

MOTION: A motion was made by the Operations Committee to recommend the Council accept the bids from AmeriCALL for $3,126.43 for a new phone system. Dailey seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Programs Committee : In Committee Chair Sherwin absence, John Miller discussed progress made on goals for fiscal year 2008. All goals have been met. Changes have been made to the consumer stipend program in order to allow for a more fair application process and for families to attend conference out of state under limited circumstances.

New Business : Item #1: There was discussion about a conflict with the November 6, 2008 Council meeting. There is a large conference that week and some board members will not be available for the Council meeting.

MOTION: Kear motioned to move the November meeting date back one week from November 6 to November 13. Dailey seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Item #2: Johnson requested a discussion regarding a decision of the Executive Committee to deny her out of state travel reimbursement request. She would like the Council to reconsider the decision of the Executive Committee.

MOTION : Dailey motioned that the Council take a private vote on whether to reverse the decision of the Executive Committee and reimburse Johnson’s out of state travel. Mendez seconded the motion. Motion carried.

After the ballots were tallied Mendez announced that the Council will uphold the decision of the Executive Committee to deny the reimbursement request.

After the appeal was denied, Johnson resigned from the Council effective immediately.

 MOTION : Dailey moved that the Council have an executive session. Mendez seconded the motion. Motion carried.

At this time the Council went into executive session.

After coming out of executive session, the Council discussed acceptance of Johnson’s resignation.

MOTION : Dailey motioned to accept the verbal resignation of Johnson. Gipson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

By verbal agreement the meeting was adjourned at this time.

Mark Karner, Secretary Date Approved