Access Living & SEIU Healthcare Illinois Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 261

Legislation protects and strengthens supports for people with disabilities

“We applaud passage of Senate Bill 261, which defends the right of people with disabilities to decide who cares for them in their homes. Passage of SB 261 sends a strong message to the state to do better and work more closely with stakeholders in improving the vastly successful Home Service Program. And it provides an opportunity for the Illinois Department of Human Services to end a year-long abuse of a Federal overtime rule that was intended to strengthen services, not cut care for people with disabilities.

“We have learned that the administration at the 11^th Hour is proposing a new overhaul of its overtime rules, only weeks after proclaiming its existing rules nearly “perfect.” Any new proposal needs to be carefully vetted by the people who utilize the program, as well as the community of advocates and caregivers who have helped build it into such a success over the years.

“In the meantime, we urge the governor to sign SB 261 and help mend a program sent into total disarray with a confusing, unnecessary and unlawful use of the administrative process.

“Finally, we are grateful to the advocates in the General Assembly who have voted to protect the thousands of women and men who are able to stay in their homes and communities with dignity directly as a result of a program that has been built up over the years, in bipartisan fashion and with input from the people it’s intended to serve.”

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