Re: An Article About Winning A Law Suit For Houseing For Disabled People

December 5, 2008

This is what was referring to...

The Arc of Illinois

November 13, 2008

Leaders in The Arc:

Important settlement for disability advocates read the news release on the

settlement of Litgas!

Tony auski

The Arc of Illinois

815-464-1832

NEWS RELEASE

Contacts:

Barry , Equip for Equality,

Grossbart, Sonnenschein Nath &

312-895-7317 (w) 773-562-9567 (cell)

Rosenthal LLP, 312-876-8095

barryt@...

jgrossbart@...

PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CELEBRATE AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF

ILLINOIS IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT

Sweeping reform will dramatically expand opportunities for community living

and create meaningful individual choice

(CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2008) - A groundbreaking agreement between Plaintiffs and

State of Illinois officials in a class action lawsuit brought against the State

for its ongoing violation of the civil rights of people with developmental

disabilities was announced today. The agreement, when approved by the court,

will bring justice to people with developmental disabilities, giving them the

choice to receive long-term care services in integrated community settings. No

longer will they be compelled to live in segregated institutions in order to

receive the services they require.

Today, Illinois ranks 51st among all states and the District of Columbia in

serving people with developmental disabilities in small integrated settings, and

most people with developmental disabilities seeking residential services are

only offered placements in institutions, in violation of their civil rights and

the law. Under the terms of the proposed Consent Decree, however, people with

developmental disabilities living in large private institutions will be given

the opportunity to live in community-based settings. The proposed Consent

Decree also requires the State to provide services to people with developmental

disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization and currently living in the

family home.

" This case is about choice, and now nearly 6,000 insitutionalized individuals

with developmental disabilities and thousands of others at risk of

institutionalization will finally be able to choose community living, " said Zena

Naiditch, President and CEO of Equip for Equality, which is serving as counsel

in the case. " We commend the State for doing the right thing and we look

forward to partnering with them to implement the agreement once it is approved

by the court. "

" Through this agreement, we will achieve all of the goals we set out to

accomplish when we filed the lawsuit, " said lead trial counsel Grossbart, a

partner with the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP. This is one of

the largest pro bono cases ever handled by Sonnenschein. " We are very proud to

have made a difference in such a fundamental and profound way for the citizens

of Illinois. Once the agreement is approved, the involuntary segregation and

warehousing of people with developmental disabilities in private institutions in

Illinois will finally come to an end. "

" Where I live now, I cannot choose my own roommate and I have no privacy, " said

Cicarelli, a 35-year old named plaintiff in the case. " I want to live

with friends in the community and have my own room. " 's father, Jim

Cicarelli agrees, " We are so happy that our son, and many others with

developmental disabilities, will be fully integrated into the community. For

over ten years, has waited to fulfill his dream to live in the community.

We are thrilled that finally his dream will be realized. "

" For far too long, the State has relied heavily upon institutions to serve

people with developmental disabilities, " said Barry , Legal Advocacy

Director at Equip for Equality. " Under the proposed Consent Decree, Illinois

will begin to fulfill the promise of the Americans with Diabilities Act to fully

integrate people with disabilities into society. "

Nearly twenty years ago, Congress passed the ADA, and nearly ten years ago, the

Supreme Court of the United States ruled that unnecessary institutionalization

is discrimination under the ADA. Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's ruling,

Illinois has retained its antiquated policies, channeling people into a system

of approximately 250 large, privately-run congregate care facilities where

nearly 6000 of the state's developmentally disabled residents are currently

housed.

Under the proposed Consent Decree, all individuals with developmental

disabilities living in private institutions will receive independent evaluations

to determine the supports and services they need to live in a community setting.

Following the evaluation, those who choose or do not oppose community placement

will receive an individualized service plan and move into the community over a

six-year period. " People with disabilities have waited too long for this day.

However, we have always had faith that, as Luther King, Jr. once said,

'the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,' " said

Marca Bristo, President of Access Living, which serves as co-counsel on the

case.

" Experience around the country shows that when given a meaningful choice, people

with disabilities thrive in community settings, " said Wolf of the

American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, co-counsel in the case. " This

agreement will truly change the lives of thousands of Illinois residents. "

Individuals can, of course, choose to remain in an institution. Those who choose

to remain in an institution can later choose to move into the community.

Additionally, people with developmental disabilities living in the family home

who are at risk of institutionalization will have expanded options under the

Consent Decree. All people who are determined to be in " Crisis, " as well as

approximately 3,000 people who are determined to be in " Emerging Crisis, " will

receive services from the State to meet their individual needs.

" The day has finally come when people with developmental disabilities have the

opportunity to live in the communities of their choice and enjoy the

independence and privacy that all of us consider rights but which, until now,

have been denied, " said Ed Mullen of Access Living.

Equip for Equality and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, which is providing

representation on a pro bono basis, are serving as lead counsel on the case.

The plaintiffs are also being represented by Access Living, the American Civil

Liberties Union of Illinois and the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia.

A copy of the Complaint, proposed Consent Decree, and other documents relevant

to the case are available at www.equipforequality.org.

Reference: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and Chicago

Case No. 1:05-cv-4331

Ligas et al v. Maram et al

About Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

With 700 lawyers and other professionals in 15 offices in the U.S. and Europe,

and a global reach throughout the Americas, Asia and the Middle East,

Sonnenschein serves the legal and public interest needs of many of the world's

best-known and most admired businesses, nonprofits and individuals.

Sonnenschein is representing the plaintiffs in this case on a pro bono basis.

For more information, www.sonnenschein.com

About Equip for Equality

Designated in 1985 as the federally funded Protection and Advocacy System for

people with disabilities in Illinois, Equip for Equality's mission is to advance

the human and civil rights of people with all types of disabilities in Illinois.

Equip for Equality provides self-advocacy assistance, legal services, and

disability rights education while also engaging in public policy and legislative

advocacy and conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities.

For more information, www.equipforequality.org

About Access Living

Access Living is a cross-disability, not-for-profit organization whose mission

is to work toward the full equality, inclusion and empowerment of all people

with disabilities. It is governed and staffed by a majority of people with

disabilities. For more information, www.accessliving.org

About the ACLU of Illinois

The American Civil Liberties Union is a non-partisan, non-profit membership

organization dedicated to protecting and extending freedom, liberty and equality

to all in the United States. The work of the ACLU is based upon, but not

limited to, protecting the liberties and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S.

Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights. With a membership of more than

500,000 nationwide - more than 23,000 in Illinois - the ACLU accomplishes its

goals through litigating, lobbying and educating the public on a broad array of

issues affecting our liberties. For more information, www.aclu-il.org

About the Public Interest law Center of Philadelphia

The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP) is dedicated to

advancing the Constitutional promise of equal citizenship to all persons

irrespective of race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender or poverty.

PILCOP uses public education, continuing education of its clients and client

organizations, research, negotiation and, when necessary, the courts to achieve

systemic reforms that advance the central goals of self-advocacy, social justice

and equal protection of the law for all members of society. For more

information, www.pilcop.org

Please click here to be removed from our list. If you still receive emails from

us in the future, please ensure it was not forwarded from another party or sent

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REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Or write us at:

The Arc of Illinois

18207-A-Dixie Highway

Homewood, IL 60430

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

An Article About Winning A Law Suit For Houseing For

Disabled People

I read an article two weeks ago about a lawsuit that passed that

allowed the disabled to have funding for moving out of instutions or

their parents' house to a group or home or an apartment.

December 8, 2008

Thank you Ellen Bronfield for finding this. My father showed it to me

incase it might aply to me.

>

> This is what was referring to...

> The Arc of Illinois

>

> November 13, 2008

>

> Leaders in The Arc:

>

> Important settlement for disability advocates read the news release

on the settlement of Litgas!

>

> Tony auski

>

> The Arc of Illinois

>

> 815-464-1832

>

> NEWS RELEASE

>

> Contacts:

>

> Barry , Equip for

Equality, Grossbart,

Sonnenschein Nath &

> 312-895-7317 (w) 773-562-9567

(cell) Rosenthal LLP, 312-876-8095

>

barryt@...

jgrossbart@...

>

> PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CELEBRATE AGREEMENT WITH

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT

>

> Sweeping reform will dramatically expand opportunities for

community living

> and create meaningful individual choice

>

> (CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2008) - A groundbreaking agreement between

Plaintiffs and State of Illinois officials in a class action lawsuit

brought against the State for its ongoing violation of the civil

rights of people with developmental disabilities was announced

today. The agreement, when approved by the court, will bring justice

to people with developmental disabilities, giving them the choice to

receive long-term care services in integrated community settings. No

longer will they be compelled to live in segregated institutions in

order to receive the services they require.

>

> Today, Illinois ranks 51st among all states and the District of

Columbia in serving people with developmental disabilities in small

integrated settings, and most people with developmental disabilities

seeking residential services are only offered placements in

institutions, in violation of their civil rights and the law. Under

the terms of the proposed Consent Decree, however, people with

developmental disabilities living in large private institutions will

be given the opportunity to live in community-based settings. The

proposed Consent Decree also requires the State to provide services

to people with developmental disabilities who are at risk of

institutionalization and currently living in the family home.

>

> " This case is about choice, and now nearly 6,000 insitutionalized

individuals with developmental disabilities and thousands of others

at risk of institutionalization will finally be able to choose

community living, " said Zena Naiditch, President and CEO of Equip for

Equality, which is serving as counsel in the case. " We commend the

State for doing the right thing and we look forward to partnering

with them to implement the agreement once it is approved by the

court. "

>

> " Through this agreement, we will achieve all of the goals we set

out to accomplish when we filed the lawsuit, " said lead trial counsel

Grossbart, a partner with the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath &

Rosenthal LLP. This is one of the largest pro bono cases ever

handled by Sonnenschein. " We are very proud to have made a

difference in such a fundamental and profound way for the citizens of

Illinois. Once the agreement is approved, the involuntary

segregation and warehousing of people with developmental disabilities

in private institutions in Illinois will finally come to an end. "

>

> " Where I live now, I cannot choose my own roommate and I have no

privacy, " said Cicarelli, a 35-year old named plaintiff in the

case. " I want to live with friends in the community and have my own

room. " 's father, Jim Cicarelli agrees, " We are so happy that

our son, and many others with developmental disabilities, will be

fully integrated into the community. For over ten years, has

waited to fulfill his dream to live in the community. We are

thrilled that finally his dream will be realized. "

>

> " For far too long, the State has relied heavily upon institutions

to serve people with developmental disabilities, " said Barry ,

Legal Advocacy Director at Equip for Equality. " Under the proposed

Consent Decree, Illinois will begin to fulfill the promise of the

Americans with Diabilities Act to fully integrate people with

disabilities into society. "

>

> Nearly twenty years ago, Congress passed the ADA, and nearly ten

years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that

unnecessary institutionalization is discrimination under the ADA.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's ruling, Illinois has retained its

antiquated policies, channeling people into a system of approximately

250 large, privately-run congregate care facilities where nearly 6000

of the state's developmentally disabled residents are currently

housed.

>

> Under the proposed Consent Decree, all individuals with

developmental disabilities living in private institutions will

receive independent evaluations to determine the supports and

services they need to live in a community setting. Following the

evaluation, those who choose or do not oppose community placement

will receive an individualized service plan and move into the

community over a six-year period. " People with disabilities have

waited too long for this day. However, we have always had faith

that, as Luther King, Jr. once said, 'the arc of the moral

universe is long, but it bends toward justice,' " said Marca Bristo,

President of Access Living, which serves as co-counsel on the case.

>

> " Experience around the country shows that when given a meaningful

choice, people with disabilities thrive in community settings, " said

Wolf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, co-

counsel in the case. " This agreement will truly change the lives of

thousands of Illinois residents. "

>

> Individuals can, of course, choose to remain in an institution.

Those who choose to remain in an institution can later choose to move

into the community. Additionally, people with developmental

disabilities living in the family home who are at risk of

institutionalization will have expanded options under the Consent

Decree. All people who are determined to be in " Crisis, " as well as

approximately 3,000 people who are determined to be in " Emerging

Crisis, " will receive services from the State to meet their

individual needs.

>

> " The day has finally come when people with developmental

disabilities have the opportunity to live in the communities of their

choice and enjoy the independence and privacy that all of us consider

rights but which, until now, have been denied, " said Ed Mullen of

Access Living.

>

> Equip for Equality and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, which is

providing representation on a pro bono basis, are serving as lead

counsel on the case. The plaintiffs are also being represented by

Access Living, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and the

Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia. A copy of the Complaint,

proposed Consent Decree, and other documents relevant to the case are

available at www.equipforequality.org.

>

> Reference: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and

Chicago

>

> Case No. 1:05-cv-4331

>

> Ligas et al v. Maram et al

>

> About Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

> With 700 lawyers and other professionals in 15 offices in the U.S.

and Europe, and a global reach throughout the Americas, Asia and the

Middle East, Sonnenschein serves the legal and public interest needs

of many of the world's best-known and most admired businesses,

nonprofits and individuals. Sonnenschein is representing the

plaintiffs in this case on a pro bono basis. For more information,

www.sonnenschein.com

>

> About Equip for Equality

> Designated in 1985 as the federally funded Protection and Advocacy

System for people with disabilities in Illinois, Equip for Equality's

mission is to advance the human and civil rights of people with all

types of disabilities in Illinois. Equip for Equality provides self-

advocacy assistance, legal services, and disability rights education

while also engaging in public policy and legislative advocacy and

conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities. For

more information, www.equipforequality.org

>

> About Access Living

> Access Living is a cross-disability, not-for-profit organization

whose mission is to work toward the full equality, inclusion and

empowerment of all people with disabilities. It is governed and

staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. For more

information, www.accessliving.org

>

> About the ACLU of Illinois

> The American Civil Liberties Union is a non-partisan, non-profit

membership organization dedicated to protecting and extending

freedom, liberty and equality to all in the United States. The work

of the ACLU is based upon, but not limited to, protecting the

liberties and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution,

especially the Bill of Rights. With a membership of more than 500,000

nationwide - more than 23,000 in Illinois - the ACLU accomplishes its

goals through litigating, lobbying and educating the public on a

broad array of issues affecting our liberties. For more information,

www.aclu-il.org

>

> About the Public Interest law Center of Philadelphia

> The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP) is

dedicated to advancing the Constitutional promise of equal

citizenship to all persons irrespective of race, ethnicity, national

origin, disability, gender or poverty. PILCOP uses public education,

continuing education of its clients and client organizations,

research, negotiation and, when necessary, the courts to achieve

systemic reforms that advance the central goals of self-advocacy,

social justice and equal protection of the law for all members of

society. For more information, www.pilcop.org

>

> Please click here to be removed from our list. If you still receive

emails from us in the future, please ensure it was not forwarded from

another party or sent to an email address that is different than the

one asked to be removed. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Or write us at:

> The Arc of Illinois

> 18207-A-Dixie Highway

> Homewood, IL 60430

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> An Article About Winning A Law Suit For

Houseing For Disabled People

>

> I read an article two weeks ago about a lawsuit that passed that

> allowed the disabled to have funding for moving out of instutions

or

> their parents' house to a group or home or an apartment.

>

December 8, 2008

Thank you Ellen,

for your rely. I did not see your message until now. I just changed

my settings from email to digest and your reply was in it even though

I thought I changed them after Friday.