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News & Events

Title Date
Advocates Give Governor an F, call for closure of Howe Developmental CenterOn May 30, a coalition called “Community for All” held a news conference in Tinley Park to raise awareness around conditions at Howe Development Center, which after years of pressure, investigations and initiatives, continue to be deplorable. May 30, 2008
New legislation calls for free rides for low income persons with disabilitiesRepresentatives from Access Living and other disability rights organizations worked with Illinois legislators and transit providers on new legislation to benefit fixed route transit rides. The legislation has been approved by both the Illinois Senate and House, and is now awaiting Governor Blagojevich’s signature. He is favorable to the bill. August 4, 2008
Advocates celebrate the announced closure of the Howe Developmental CenterFor years, a coalition of disability advocates have fought for the closure of Howe Developmental Center, an institution in Tinley Park where more than 20 residents have died since 2005. On September 5, the Illinois Department of Human Services will host a news conference to announce the closure of the institution. October 10, 2008
Landmark victory for people with disabilitiesOn November 13, the disability community scored a huge victory when a class of people with developmental disabilities entered into a settlement agreement with the State of Illinois that will open up community services for thousands of individuals who have been trapped in institutions. November 13, 2008
Citizens With Disabilities Vote Candidates forum on disability issuesMeet The Candidates On: Monday, February 16;
Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Avenue
February 2, 2009
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Title Date
2011-RodEstvanTestimony Education Policy Analyst delivers testimony at Chicago Public Schools Budget Hearing On August 10, 2011, Access Living’s Education Policy Analyst delivered testimony on the CPS FY 2012 Budget at a Public Schools Budget hearing. August 11, 2011
Continued work around Medicaid protection and reform On August 5, Access Living’s Task Force for Attendant Services will join other groups at Federal Plaza in Chicago to send a strong message about the importance of Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. August 4, 2011
Web chat about seniors and nursing homes Every month, Judith Graham, the Chicago Tribune’s Health Reporter, hosts a live web chat on senior issues. This Tuesday, July 26, the discussion will focus on seniors and nursing homes. July 22, 2011
National Campaign to Stop cuts to Medicaid National political leaders continue to target Medicaid as a way to trim federal spending. Cuts to Medicaid would come at the expense of people with disabilities and seniors, threatening resources that enable people to live independently. A new disability campaign urges the White House and Congress to reform, rather than cut, Medicaid by investing in community-based services that save money and enable independence. July 13, 2011
Landmark Olmstead Supreme Court Ruling now 12 years old On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C. that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the unjustified institutional isolation of people with disabilities was a form of unlawful discrimination.
June 22, 2011
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Title Date
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
Disability Community Rallies to protect independence Facing budget cuts that could force people into costly institutions, disability advocates and organizations representing thousands of people with developmental, psychiatric and physical disabilities rallied outside the State of Illinois Building today. July 19, 2010
CHA Lowers Age Limit for Select Senior Buildings‘Reduced Age’ Senior Buildings Welcome Applicants Age 55 or Older October 15, 2010
Mayoral questionnaire indicates broad support for people with disabilities in ChicagoAccess Living recently released the results of a questionnaire issued to candidates running for mayor in Chicago. All of the candidates participated and each candidate indicated broad support for the disability community. February 1, 2011
Disability groups rally against budget that fails to support people with disabilities in the communityThursday morning, February 24, individuals and organizations representing a wide range of disabilities rallied outside the Thompson Center against Governor Quinn’s proposed state budget. The advocates called on Quinn to rescind cuts to services that empower people with disabilities to live independently in the community. February 24, 2011
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