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Title	Date
Colbert v. Quinn, Notice of Fairness Hearing Colbert v. Quinn is a class action case filed on behalf of people with disabilities who receive Medicaid and live in nursing homes in Cook County, Illinois. The case was originally filed in August of 2007. A settlement agreement was announced on August 30, 2011. If approved by the court, the settlement will offer people with disabilities in Cook County nursing homes the choice to transition from the nursing home, and live in apartments or homes of their choice in the community. A Fairness Hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2011.	December 20, 2011
Communities commemorate Medicaid 47th AnniversaryGroups rally and march in support community based servicesOn Monday afternoon, July 30, more than 20 disability, senior and community advocate groups commemorated the 47th Anniversary of Medicaid with a rally at Daley Plaza.	July 31, 2012
Communities urge elected officials to support economic, health, and retirement programs On Tuesday, October 30, nearly 300 grassroots community, labor, senior and disability leaders rallied for economic and retirement security. Meeting at the Chicago Temple at 77 West Washington with members of the Chicago Legislative Delegation, the crowd called on U.S. Political Leaders from the Chicago area to support programs and initiatives that promote economic, health, and retirement security.	October 31, 2012
DePaul University study of costs and benefits of employing people with disabilities finds few risks to employersA study released on January 28, 2008 conducted by a team of researchers at DePaul University found that employees with disabilities from the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors in the region were just as dependable and productive as employees without disabilities.	February 5, 2008
Disability advocates deliver Valentines to Governor Quinn Disability advocates deliver Valentine to Governor Quinn	February 14, 2012

Lead On: The Access Living Blog

Disability Rights & Empowerment

Access Living is committed to the advancement and empowerment of people with disabilities in Chicago and nationwide. Our programs and services represent a multifaceted approach in attaining this goal.

Title	Date
State to close Alden Village North On March 3, Illinois State Officials announced it would take steps to close Alden Village North, a nursing home on the northside of Chicago at which 13 children and young adults with disabilities have died since 2000.	March 4, 2011
Conversation with the media On Monday, March 7, Margaret Holt, the Standards Editor of the Chicago Tribune, visited Access Living to meet with staff and members of the community.	March 8, 2011
Action Alert!- Contact Illinois legislators and Governor Stop cuts to services that support people with disabilities Many legislators are still working to understand why we are fight so hard against budget cuts to services for people with disabilities. This week, your legislators are working from their home offices. Please give them a call and ask them to stop budget cuts to services that support people with disabilities.	March 23, 2011
Coalition speaks out on closure of troubled nursing homeThe coalition applauded the move and called on Illinois to find community placements for Alden residents and to enforce fines already levied against Alden, where seven children have died since 2008	March 25, 2011
more news on troubled long-term care system Over the past week, more stories have broken about abuse, neglect, and death, and ignoring of such at systems of care around Illinois.	March 29, 2011

Events Calendar

Title	Date
The Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing, (DRACH)HousingA twice monthly meeting of housing advocates who work to enforce and implement the housing rights of people with disabilities. The group meets the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month.	4th Thursday of every Month and 2nd Tuesday of every month.
The Access Living “Lead On!” Award Gala Join Access Living as we honor Lifetime Champion for the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Senator Bob Dole and Disability Activist Susan Nussbaum with the “Lead On!” Award.	June 3, 2013
Task Force on Attendant ServicesThe Task Force on Attendant Services organizes consumers to expand and defend home and community services for people with disabilities of all ages.	Group meets the first Wednesday of each month
Stepping Stones A peer support group for people with disabilities who have just moved out of institutions and into their own homes through the Access Living Community Reintegration program.	Tuesdays in the Spring 2013
Personal Assistant Informational SeminarJoin our pool of highly sought PA’s	March 14, 2012

Press Releases

Title	Date
6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference:Press ReleaseChicago, IL - On September 27, 2008, the Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities (CILD), DePaul University College of Law’s Special Education Advocacy Clinic and Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick will present the 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference: Empowering Communities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Their Families.	Sep 25th, 2008
A Huge Step Forward for People with Mental IllnessHistoric agreement reached to transition Illinois residents unnecessarily housed in large, impersonal nursing homesLast week was a good week for people with mental illness in Illinois. On Thursday, a federal judge granted preliminary approval for an historic agreement between the State of Illinois and thousands of people with psychiatric disabilities represented by a number of advocacy groups, including Access Living, and a private law firm - led, in this case, by the ACLU of Illinois - that will give thousands of people with mental illness an opportunity, if they choose, to move out of large, private nursing homes and into community-based settings. This agreement marks a sea change in Illinois state policy - which for far too long has relied on troubled, sometimes dangerous nursing homes to serve people with mental illness.	June 14, 2010
Access Living analysis of FY 2013 CPS Budget critical of disability cuts Report calls for restoration of funds and move toward Universal Design Prior to each school year, Access Living publishes a review of CPS funding priorities and initiatives related to special education and students with disabilities. Access Living’s FY 2013 analysis examines the impact of CPS Budget decisions on students with disabilities.	August 15, 2012
Access Living applauds Governor Quinn’s closure announcement Urges shift from institutional to community support for people with disabilitiesAccess Living statement responds to January 19, 2012 announcement from Governor Quinn on closure of Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Jacksonville Developmental Center.	January 20, 2012
Access Living applauds institution closure, commitment to community Urges support for services that promote independence for people with disabilitiesAccess Living responds to Illinois Governor Quinn’s February 22 Budget Address.	February 23, 2012

The Bullhorn - The Newsletter of Access Living

Access Living’s bimonthly newsletter

The Bullhorn, the newsletter of Access Living, is published bimonthly.

Title	Date
The Bullhorn Volume 78Volume 78 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, from October 2012.	January 10, 2013
The Bullhorn Volume 77The Bullhorn Volume 77 August 2012	January 10, 2013
The Bullhorn - Volume 76The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 76 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in June of 2012.	January 9, 2013
The Bullhorn Volume 75Volume 75 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in April 2012	April 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 74Volume 74 of The Bullhorn, The Newsletter of Access Living	March 2012