image of group of people standing and in chairs on steps of capitol in Springfield with fists raisedNews

Progress Center for Independent Living Statement in response to February 20 Budget Address

February 21, 2019By

Progress Center for Independent Living Statement in response to Governor Pritzker’s first Budget Address

(Forest Park, Illinois)– In his first budget address as Governor of Illinois, Governor Pritzker said, “….I would not balance a budget on the backs of the starving, the sick and the suffering, and I keep that promise today by beginning to rebuild health and human services.”  Progress Center applauds Governor Pritzker’s intention to rebuild human services.  For too long, while Illinois has been led by republicans and by democrats, the disability community has been forced to fight to maintain adequate funding and supports for community-based services.  For too long, services that support the independence of people with disabilities have been subject to cuts and to misguided policy decisions. Progress Center is ready to move forward and work with an administration intent on strengthening programs that give people with disabilities the resources to pursue social, academic, and financial opportunities from their own home rather than nursing homes or other institutions.

In terms of community supports, the Home Services Program is vital. Through it, thousands of people with disabilities receive personal assistant services, who help out with day-to-day tasks that are key to independence.  Under Governor Pritzker’s Department of Human Services Budget, the Home Services line is increased by $103 million, addressing “caseload growth,” and “underfunding” in fiscal year 2019.

Governor Pritzker spoke also of implementing a Fair Tax System in Illinois. Progress Center supports a Fair Tax.  When implemented in Illinois, a Fair Tax could generate sustainable revenue for social services, allowing Illinois to sustain and build services, rather than putting valuable services under threat of cuts and elimination each year when the state is faced with budget deficits and gaps.

As the State of Illinois increases minimum wage, Progress Center urges Governor Pritzker, the administration, and all Illinois legislators to ensure that all workers with disabilities are included in the wage increase.  Historically, under a section of the Fair Labor Standards Act, businesses have been able to pay some disabled workers sub minimum wage.  This unfair practice segregates people with disabilities and prevents full inclusion and participation in their communities. Illinois needs to eliminate any opportunity for Illinois businesses to pay people with disabilities, and people from other communities, less than minimum wage.

In the context of Governor’s Pritzker’s budget, The Department of Human Services “provides a $31.3 million increase to support nearly 700 new placements for developmentally disabled individuals transitioning to less restrictive or community home settings under the Ligas consent decree.”  Supporting the transition of people with disabilities from institutional settings to community-based settings is a principle core service of all Independent Living Centers, such as Progress Center, across Illinois.  Progress Center hopes that Governor Pritzker, in addition to supporting the transition of people, take immediate steps to close the remaining State Operated Developmental Centers in Illinois, and maintain vigorous oversight and enforcement of what “community” means in Illinois. Without closing institutions, Illinois will continue to spend a disproportionate amount of funding on the segregated, warehousing of people with disabilities.  Without vigorous oversight of groups that claim to provide “community” supports, people with disabilities are at risk of moving out of one segregated facility and into another, instead of moving into a genuine integrated, inclusive community.

Finally, the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget of Governor Pritzker also includes an increase in funding for Independent Living Centers.  Progress Center is one of 22 centers in Illinois.  As a network, Centers for Independent Living provide people with disabilities the opportunity learn from the experience of other disabled people, share their own experiences as disabled people, and pursue options that will equip them with the tools to be independent.  As Progress Center, we are committed to our role in the effort to strengthen the disability community, strengthen the independent living network, and strengthen Illinois.

Progress Center provides services and conducts advocacy that supports the independence of people with disabilities.  Progress Center serves Suburban Cook County. Progress Center is one of 22 Centers for Independent Living in Illinois.  For more information, contact 708-209-1500.

READ MORE
image of group of people standing and in chairs on steps of capitol in Springfield with fists raised

Disability advocates in Springfield for Governor Pritzker’s first Budget Address

February 19, 2019By
image of group of people standing and in chairs on steps of capitol in Springfield with fists raised
Photo of staff from Progress Center and staff from Access Living in Springfield in May of 2018

Governor Pritzker’s 2019 Budget Address

Advocacy staff from Progress Center for Independent Living will be in Springfield on February 20, 2019 for Governor JB Pritzker’s first Budget Address as the governor of Illinois. “I look forward to hearing the address and hearing about budget line items,” said Larry Biondi, Progress Center’s Advocacy Coordinator.  “We hope that the governor will financially support programs that expand resources for people with disabilities to live in inclusive, integrated community settings.”

During his term in office, Governor Rauner introduced policy that threatened the independence of people with disabilities who utilize personal assistants through the Illinois Home Services Program.  The policy limited the number of hours a personal assistant could work for one person with a disability, and limited the number of hours a personal assistant could work during the week. As a result, some people with disabilities were forced to search, sometime unsuccessfully, for new personal assistants.  Personal assistants are a key link to independence for thousands of people with disabilities. Without them, many people with disabilities would end up in nursing homes.

“We spent much of Governor Rauner’s term in office fighting to protect people with disabilities against institutionalization,” said Clark Craig, a community organizer with Progress Center.  “With the new administration, we hope for policy that will protect our right to live the community, not policy against which we have to protect ourselves.”  Both Biondi and Craig will be in Springfield on February 20.  They will speak with legislators about:

  • Funding for Centers for Independent Living
  • Ending Sub-Minimum Wage for People with Disabilities
  • Ensuring people who receive Medicaid can access community-based services
  • Legislation for supports early education for children who are Deaf

As a Center for Independent Living, Progress Center provides services and conducts advocacy that supports the independence of people with disabilities.  Progress Center serves Suburban Cook County. Progress Center is one of 22 Centers for Independent Living in Illinois.  For more information, contact 708-209-1500.

READ MORE
image of a piece of the Progress Center Logo, with icon of person with wheelchair, and two people walking, one with a cane.

A Quick Reference Guide to Medicare

February 15, 2019By

A Quick Reference Guide to Medicare

Progress Center has a new document available for people who are enrolled in the Medicare Healthcare System.  The document is called a “Quick Reference Guide to Medicare.” The guide is intended to provide information about Medicare in four alternative formats.  The guide is available for download on this page, and also can be found on the Progress Center “Resources” Page.

Download the document here:

2019-January — Quick Reference Guide to Medicare

Progress Center’s health care work falls within our membership in a coalition called Make Medicare Work. Under the coalition, Progress Center informs consumers about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), ensuring people receive all the benefits they are entitled to under the program, and advocating for positive change in the program to better serve those affected.

READ MORE
Progress Center
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.