HR0703 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0703 LRB097 16750 KTG 61925 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, 32,909 Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) lived in 162 large, state-operated facilities - with 16 beds or more - in 42 states as of June 30, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Persons with ID/DD have a fundamental right to be given a choice in services that provide respect and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Persons with ID/DD have the right to live in the least restrictive environment consistent with Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999); and

WHEREAS, Individuals with ID/DD living in integrated community settings are afforded an improved quality of life and higher level of personal independence; and

WHEREAS, It is cost effective to move persons with ID/DD from large, state-operated facilities to home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver settings; and

WHEREAS, Average costs in 2009 totaled $196,735 per person/per year in state-operated facilities, versus $43,969 per person/per year in HCBS waiver settings, a 77.7% cost savings; and

WHEREAS, The federal government provides funding to assist in moving persons with ID/DD from state-operated facilities to HCBS waiver settings; and

WHEREAS, 10 states, plus the District of Columbia, have already closed their large state-operated facilities for Americans with ID/DD; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that Illinois in 2012 takes action in a caring, comprehensive manner to transition State-operated facilities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities as appropriate, and to ensure care in the least restrictive environment; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Governor, to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, and to members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.