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Friday, September 4, 2015

Illinois Legislation Bodies pass Bill To Preserve Home-Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities

The Illinois House on 09/02/2015 approved legislation aimed at blocking the Rauner administration's proposal to make it harder for seniors and people with disabilities to qualify for home services programs.
Illinois Governor Rauner (R) has proposed raising the minimum eligibility, or "Determination of Need," score from 29 to 37 for the Home Services Program for people with disabilities and the Community Care Program for low-income seniors. The programs connect seniors and people with disabilities to personal attendants who can assist them at their homes.
The legislation approved in the House on Wednesday by a 74-13-12 vote would keep the DON score at 29. The measure, contained in an amendment to HB 2482, passed the Senate last month by a 36-2-11 vote. It now goes to Gov. Rauner for consideration, which he has not made a statement on his support of yet.
State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) and State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) were the main sponsors of the legislation in their respective chambers.
Increasing the DON score to 37 would cut off an estimated 10,000 Illinoisans with disabilities and 24,000 seniors from the programs, according to estimated projections.

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