(credit here to Ellen Bronfeld and Charlotte Cronin)

The General Assembly passed and the Governor signed a budget that reduces spending by 14% across Illinois government. We do not yet know how that will be spread out. We do know that DD services will be hurt and that we can’t afford to lose a single penny. 

Immediately there are Two Important Steps You Can Take: 

There are two bills on Governor Quinn’s desk that we want him to sign. Call him at this number 312-814-2121. 

HB 758 has been on his desk since June 12th. It is Representative Kathy Ryg's bill for the creation of a dedicated fund for DD/MI adult Federal Medicaid matching dollars to be reinvested in the DD/MI system (there is currently a dedicated fund for federal matching dollars for the children's Medicaid waiver, which has resulted in many more children moving off the waiting list than adults.) 

HB 1034 is Prompt Payment Act which Requires that the Governor's submitted budget include information about the amount and description of overdue bills and invoices under the State Prompt Payment Act. It accelerates the payment period from 60 days after a bill is properly submitted to 30 days after the bill is properly submitted and increases the penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted.