Fw: Are you, or do you love, a person with a developmental disability who needs quality community services?

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Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Are you, or do you love, a person with a developmental disability who

needs quality community services?

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Are you, or do you love, a person with a

developmental disability who needs quality

community services?

Plan to attend a special Presentation by:

Tony Records

Court Monitor for the Ligas Consent Decree

Monday, November 28, 2011

7-8:30 pm in the Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Champaign Public Library

200 W. Green St., Champaign

Sponsored by:

The ARC of Illinois, Community Choices, CU-Autism

Network-Project of The Autism Society of Illinois, DSC, IAMC, rPc

For more information call the IAMC at 217-778-5388 or

email qualitylifeinil@...

LIGAS V. HAMOS FACT SHEET

Background on the lawsuit

Ligas v. Hamos (formerly Ligas v. Maram) is a lawsuit

filed in 2005 by nine people with

developmental disabilities (Plaintiffs) who reside in

large private State-funded facilities (ICF-DDs)

or who are likely to be placed in such facilities.

Plaintiffs want to receive community services, but

their requests have been denied by the State of

Illinois. In 2006, a Judge certified the case as a

class action. Prior to trial, the parties reached an

agreement, but at a Fairness Hearing in July

2009, the Judge found that the class definition was too

broad as it included people who did not

desire to live in the community. Accordingly, the Judge

did not approve the agreement and decertified

the class. In January 2010, the parties reached a new

agreement to provide community

services to people living in ICF-DDs who have a current

record of wanting community services,

and provide community services to an additional 3,000

people with developmental disabilities

living at home without services. Previous objectors

again raised concerns and the Judge allowed

them to join the case as Intervenors. After extensive

negotiations, in January 2011, the Plaintiffs,

the State, and the Intervenors reached a new agreement

that all could support. The Judge held a

Fairness Hearing on June 15, 2011 and approved the

proposed Consent Decree. This historic

agreement reflects momentous change in state policy for

serving people with developmental

disabilities.

What will the Consent Decree achieve?

? ICF-DDs residents who desire community placement will

receive an individualized,

independent evaluation and the opportunity to live in

the community with appropriate services.

? Over a six year period, any of the approximately 6,000

ICF-DD residents who desire

placement in the community will transition to the most

integrated community-based setting

appropriate for their individual needs.

? All ICF-DD residents who are happy with their current

placement are not be part of the class

and will not be required to move. The proposed Consent

Decree ensures that resources

necessary to meet the needs of those who choose to

continue to reside in ICF-DDs will be

made available.

? Over a six year period, 3,000 people with

developmental disabilities currently living at home

without services will be given community services.

? The Judge will appoint an Independent Monitor with

expertise in developmental disabilities to

oversee implementation and compliance with the Consent

Decree.

? People with developmental disabilities who want to be

part of the new proposed class need to

make a record with the State confirming their desire for

community services. A form that

people with disabilities and/or their guardians can use

to make a record of their desire for

community services can be found at

www.equipforequality.org

Questions?

If you have questions about the Consent Decree or how to

become a member of the class, please

contact Barry at 312-895-7317 or

barryt@...

Autism Society of Illinois

2200 S Main Street

Lombard, Illinois 60148

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