Over the past two months the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) partnered with a number of other advocacy groups to make our voices heard regarding Governor Pat Quinn's proposed closure of seven state-operated facilities.  We presented testimony at hearings, submitted written testimony and encouraged people with disabilities statewide to do the same.  It was, and continues to be our position that all people with disabilities can and should live in the community of their choice with appropriate services and supports. 
Today the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) took its second vote on the closure of the seven facilities that Governor Pat Quinn proposed closing.  The Commission recommended that none of them be closed.
Much of the comment from COGFA indicated that they felt that the Administration had not developed an adequate plan for transitioning people who they considered to be the most vulnerable and medically fragile people in the state.  Other comments expressed a lack of confidence in the existing community supports to absorb those who would be transitioned into the community. 
While I am hard pressed to argue with either of these concerns, Illinois could borrow the best from the plans of other states who have already de-institutionalized (Michigan and Wisconsin come to mind) and capacity in the community will never exist until there is a) demand placed upon that system as there would be with these closures and b) funding for community-based services and supports is adequate to serve the population.  Bottom line: demonstrate a commitment to de-institutionalization and the rest will come into place.  You don't build capacity until the need for capacity exists. 
So they're not entirely wrong and I heard them loud and clear.  Apparently, so did the Administration.  A few days ago Governor Quinn unveiled his 2.5 year Rebalancing Initiative.  In it, he proposes to close up to four developmental centers and at least two psychiatric hospitals by the end of FY 2014. 
This is perhaps the most encouraging outcome of the past couple months.  By laying out a comprehensive plan for the state to begin systemic change toward de-institutionalization, the Governor is making de-institutionalization a policy stance rather than a reaction to the state's abysmal financial situation.
I realize that the plan does only propose closure of half of the state's DD centers and even fewer mental health institutions, but it is only a beginning.  It took over a decade to completely de-institutionalize West Virginia, the state that I am most familiar with, and WV is a much smaller state.  It's up to us to make sure that there is another plan when this one becomes reality.
So while I did walk away from today's COGFA vote with some sadness, I definitely do not feel defeated.  People with disabilities and their advocates now have a plan handed down by the Governor's office to move Illinois away from an archaic institutional bias and to rebalance our Medicaid system to allow people with disabilities to realize the promise of Olmstead. 
Now is not the time for us to become complacent.  Now we have something tangible to work with!  Let's make sure that the Governor's Rebalancing Initiative makes it through the demolition derby we call the legislative process and becomes real to people with disabilities who are still institutionalized in Illinois. 

Because we feel that it's important to hold our elected officials accountable for the way that they represent us, CCDI has promised to track, compile and report all legislation that impacts people with disabilities in Illinois.  Although the COGFA proceedings do not involve legislation, I do believe that the voting records of the body are of utmost importance.  To that end, here is COGFA's record in the matter:
COGFA Votes Regarding Closure of SODCs

Governor Quinn's Rebalancing Initiative-November 2011

Summary
Developmental Disabilities
The Department of Human Services will reduce the number of residents served by State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) by at least 600 by the end of FY 14. This will permit DHS to close up to four facilities in the next 2.5 years.
Mental Health
The Department of Human Services will close at least two state psychiatric hospitals by the end of FY 14.

Implementation Plan
FY 12 Developmental Disabilities
The Division of Developmental Disabilities will initiate closures of SODCs during FY 12. To accomplish this, the department will:
1. Halt new admissions at first facility.
2. Assess and develop transition care plans for all current residents beginning December 1, 2011.
3. Initiate transfers to community based settings beginning January 1, 2012.
4. Transfer residents at the rate of 20 per month beginning in January until the facility is closed in the first quarter FY 13.

FY 12 Mental Health
The Division of Mental Health will:
1. Halt new admissions at Tinley Park (based on current appropriations).
2. Continue to treat current patients until discharge, within 14-21 days.
3. Develop care plans for patients who will have challenges discharging to community services after the treatment of their acute disorder.
4. Discharge remaining residents to the community providers or hospitals selected.
5. Develop and implement plan to maintain on-campus food and pharmaceutical services that serve other SODCs and state psychiatric hospitals in the area.

FY 13 and FY 14 Developmental Disabilities
DHS will continue to assess and transition residents from other SODCs throughout FYs 13 and 14 so that up to four centers will be closed by the end of FY 14.
The Department will work collaboratively with the General Assembly during the Spring session to determine the additional facilities that will be closed over the next two and a half years. The factors for facility closure should include:
1. Quality assurance issues
2. Assessment of residents
3. Current census, including average length of time residing in Center, special needs of residents
4. Physical plants (both anticipated future costs for maintenance as well as design of each Center and the design's impact on staffing costs, living experience, etc.)
5. Current staffing levels and overtime usage.

Governor Quinn's FY 13 and FY 14 budget requests will include funding for community placements for all residents of SODCs who are scheduled for transition. For budgeting purposes we estimate that the average cost of care in the community will be $7,000 per month in FY 12. Subsequent years will include adequate reimbursements for community- based providers to deliver quality care. Their support is essential to assure the successful transition of residents and to achieve the rebalancing of spending objectives shared by Governor Quinn and the General Assembly.
The out-years' budget requests will reflect substantial savings from institutional operations. Specifically, the Department will:

• Reduce staffing levels through management of attrition and targeted layoffs as necessary. Labor relation plans will be negotiated as closures begin.
• Reduce other operating costs as census declines permit.
• Reduce all remaining operating costs once all residents have left the facility and it can be permanently closed.

Results of the Closure Plan:

• 600 individuals currently residing in the eight SODCs will transition to community-based services.
• Illinois will reduce the number of Developmental Centers in the State from eight to four by the end of FY14.

FY 13 and 14 Mental Health
The state psychiatric hospital closures will occur in phases throughout FYs 13 and 14. The Affordable Care Act will reduce the need for state psychiatric beds as more individuals who would currently seek care from state hospitals are covered under private insurance or Medicaid and are attractive to private hospitals.
At the end of the period, at least one psychiatric hospital in addition to Tinley Park will have closed. To reach this goal the Department will:
1. Expand community based alternatives for state civil psychiatric care and treatment by negotiating rates with community providers and hospitals that assure quality care.
2. Identify a facility to care for people detained under the Sexually Violent Persons Act.