093_HR0033

 
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 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The General Assembly supports the sentiments set
 3    forth by the Olmstead Decision which held states  responsible
 4    for  providing  for  persons  with  disabilities  in the most
 5    integrated setting, and  therefore  states  are  required  to
 6    reasonably  modify their service delivery systems to maintain
 7    a range of placement and service options  for  the  care  and
 8    treatment   of   diverse   disabilities  and  to  effectively
 9    administer those options; and

10        WHEREAS, Expansion of community-based programs was  first
11    encouraged nationally by a growing number of individuals with
12    developmental disabilities awaiting services; and

13        WHEREAS,  Illinois  was  one  of  the first states in the
14    nation to fund community-based services for individuals  with
15    developmental disabilities; and

16        WHEREAS,  There is an estimated 144,540 Illinois citizens
17    who have substantial  developmental  disabilities  that  have
18    occurred before the age of 18; and

19        WHEREAS,   According   to  the  most  recently  published
20    statistics, Illinois is currently ranked 39th in  the  nation
21    in  the  proportion  of  a  state's  aggregate income that is
22    committed   to   financing   community-based   services   for
23    individuals with developmental disabilities; and

24        WHEREAS, Illinois is one of four  states  that  does  not
25    currently  maintain a statewide waiting list to determine the
26    level of unmet need; and

27        WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes the  discrepancy
28    between   the   State's   economic  well-being  (Illinois  is
29    currently  ranked  9th  nationally  in  personal  income  per
30    capita) and the lack of funding dedicated  to  improving  the
31    community-based   service   system   for   individuals   with
 
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 1    developmental disabilities in Illinois; and

 2        WHEREAS, The General Assembly further recognizes the need
 3    to   address   this   discrepancy  and  improve  the  State's
 4    community-based services for individuals  with  developmental
 5    disabilities  to meet the rising level of need; therefore, be
 6    it

 7        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
 8    NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
 9    a Task  Force  be  established  to  study  services  for  the
10    developmentally disabled; and be it further

11        RESOLVED,  That  under  the auspices of the Office of the
12    Governor, the task force shall be responsible for  doing  the
13    following:
14        1.   Studying  the  level  of  need  for  community-based
15    services; and
16        2. Studying the status of  community-based  services  for
17    the developmentally disabled throughout the State; and
18        3.  Assessing the level of services and their adequacy in
19    meeting the level of need; and
20        4.   Developing   recommendations   for   improving   the
21    community-based service delivery system and  addressing  gaps
22    in these services; and
23        5.  Developing  recommendations  for  the State to expand
24    funding sources for these services; and
25        6. Developing recommendations to anticipate the level  of
26    need  for  these  services or alternatives to a waiting list;
27    and be it further

28        RESOLVED, The Task Force shall have a total of 20 members
29    consisting  of  2  members  appointed  by  the  Majority  and
30    Minority Leaders in  the  House  of  Representatives  and  16
31    members  to  be  appointed  by  the Governor to represent the
32    Department of Human Services,  providers  of  community-based
 
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 1    services for individuals with developmental disabilities; and
 2    experts  on  the  State  service  system for individuals with
 3    developmental disabilities; and be it further

 4        RESOLVED, The Task Force shall present a report of  their
 5    findings  and recommendations to the General Assembly and the
 6    Governor no later than October 1, 2004; and be it further

 7        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
 8    provided  to  the Office of the Governor and the Secretary of
 9    the Department of Human Services.