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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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Board Members Present: Maureen Russell, Norm Gilbert, Mary Petruchius , Bob
Krogman, and Regina Parker
Board Members Absent: Julia Fullerton and Opal Zitka Other Persons Present: Staff: Jerry Lane and Sue Halbrader The Community Mental Health Board meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by President Maureen Russell.
AGENDA Motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Gilbert, seconded by Ms.
Parker. INTRODUCTIONS None MINUTES Mr. Gilbert moved to approve the November 17 minutes, as corrected, seconded by Ms. Parker. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Lane brought Board members up-to-date on matters impacting the Illinois budget. The state’s early retirement program will cost $380 million over nine years, a much larger amount than had been anticipated. Normally about one-third of eligible persons take the offer for early retirement, but of the 22,000, half, or 11,000 decided to retire. Not only is one consequence the bulge in the state budget, another one is loss of experienced people who understand how the system works and know how to get things done. Mr. Lane discussed how the recently passed Medicaid omnibus bill leaves us uncertain as to how it will effect Mental Illness, as it shifts services to private vendors. Insurance companies have a record of skimming and leaving the poorest and the sickest to fend for themselves. In addition, Big Pharma stands to profit handsomely from the generous handout compliments of the Bush Administration. Mr. Lane announced that we have had some success in Springfield, as DD got the full 4% cost-of-living increase. However, SA and MI were virtually ignored, and may only see a 2% increase. According to our lobbyist in Springfield we can expect another two years of very difficult times in procuring adequate funding.
FINANCE REPORTS Mrs. Parker moved approval of the December agency claims as submitted; seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Parker moved acceptance of the December office claims as submitted; seconded by Mr. Gilbert. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNITY INPUT None COMMITTEE REPORTS None OLD BUSINESS Mrs. Russell moved to accept the application for Board membership from Mr. Doug Fraley of Sandwich; seconded by Mr. Krogman. On a voice vote, all in favor. Mr. Fraley will join the Board in January, 2004. The Spring Retreat has been postponed until a later date, perhaps after Grant Hearings. The date for the next Board meeting will be on Monday, January 26, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. at the Regional Office of Education Building, 245 West Exchange St., Sycamore, in the downstairs conference room. Ms. Petruchius moved to postpone discussion of Opportunity House’s capital request until a later date when more information is in; seconded by Mrs. Parker. On a voice vote, all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS Mr. Lane briefed Board members on the Quarterly meeting attended by staff on Monday, December 8, 2003, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. We are in the process of exploring ways in which local Mental Health Boards (708) may claim matching funds from Medicaid to augment local dollars that go into supporting eligible services for DD, MI and SA in the community. Presently, Illinois gets back less in Medicaid than it sends in taxes to Washington. We will continue to meet with other 708 Board Executives to learn how to apply for the money. The Executive Director of ACHMAI has been replaced with an individual from Champaign County who will serve as part-time, interim director while a personnel search takes place. Mr. Gilbert moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Parker. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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