Call to Order- 12:30 p.m. by Chairperson Joy Paeth. Present/Absent: PSA 01-Grant Nyhammer, 02-Lucia Jones, 03-Barb Eskildsen, 04-Keith Rider, 05-Susan Real, 06-Lynn Niewohner, 07-Donna Bileto, 08-Joy Paeth, 09-Tracy Barczewski, 10-Shana Holmes, 11-John Smith, 12-Joyce Gallagher (absent), and 13-Jon Lavin.

Minutes- The Minutes for the last meeting were presented. Discussion: None. MOTION: To approve the Minutes as presented by Rider and seconded by Bileto. Motion APPROVED.

Treasurer’s Report- The financial report was presented. Discussion: None. MOTION: To accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented by Real and seconded by Jones. Motion APPROVED.

Legislative Committee- Entering (hopefully), the last week, with some developments. CRP – Two legislative amendments that seek to overturn whatever the Governor is doing to CRP, HB 1424. . Amendment to SB 399 – approved by committee on 5/22/17. Not sure what will happen to those bill between now and next week. Deadlines/Rules do not matter. In the Senates latest, they added 120 million for senior services. Not sure if there will be a stop gap budget after May 31rst. We had a grand bargain that started in December that fell apart, a grander bargain that came out in April/May. Looking at additional taxes to equal about 5 billion, 32 billion they could count on. Income tax proposed to go from 4.75 to 4.95. Expand sales tax to a number of services. Back log of bills is approximately 14 billion at this point. SB 4 (bonding bill), just amended today and now have xxx’s in the box. No conversation of fund sweeps heard and there’s money that can be used for that. Issues include property tax freeze, workers compensation and income tax increase. To sell bonds it takes a 3/5ths votes with bi-partisan in the house. A probable stop gap wouldn’t likely go into effect until June 31rst. Funding CRP talks – since 120 million was added in and that’s what would’ve been saved in CRP, that’s an intention they do not plan on seeing CRP occur. Lawyers were consulted by a few Area Agencies on Aging about the CRP Letters of Interest sent by the Dept. All received different opinions.

Legislation– Lavin indicated that legislation being introduced to help assist with costs of hearing aid by allowing them to be sold over the counter without visiting a hearing Dr. and prescription. General assembly meeting today.

Ombudsman Monitoring by Jamie Fresche- Discussion: Home monitoring tool and issue of what is considered a representative by statute. Statue: The citation you had sent to me stating representatives is actually about the Regional Ombudsman in the area, this siting does not reference the Area Agencies on Aging. Grant is requesting something in writing and Jamie says she is referencing from the Illinois Act on Aging. Representatives within the language involves individuals certified and designated by Jamie F. Our structure, I report straight to the Director and that’s been changed, Erin Davis left and Ellen doesn’t have any conflicts of her responsibilities, helping with P&Ps but the Feds do not have a beef with our legal structure. It’s not legal advice, we are following regulations and rules. The AAAs function-we have the OAA and services under III and VII for my purposes, the OAA gives the states the authority how they are going to follow through with the requirements under the OAA. Illinois designates AAAs will provide services in aging and that includes Ombudsman. We work through you and all but three of you sub grant services to providers. It involves monitoring, staffing, equipment and running the way they’re supposed to be running. There’s an administrative component when looking at the providers, they are providing the service on your behalf. The new federal rule is pretty clear about the State Ombudsman role, when they say Ombudsman they are referring to State Ombudsman. Anyone designated by me is like an extension of my arm. Federal law – files being accessed by AAAs 42 U.S. Code § 3058g(a)(5)(D)(ii). Jamie will be following up with Joy about Grants question to review case files essentially which was asked for originally back in 2016.

LIHEAP- Dollars have been a concern for services.

CCPAC by Holmes- Updates were sent out in an email to all members.

CRP Letter of Interest- Last page in rule making process will guide you on what can be included/excluded (3 exceptions) in ex parte communications.

Motion: Asking executive committee to research resources to help us understand our legal standing when it comes to the Dept.’s interference. Motion by: Lavin. Seconded by: Jones. Discussion: IDoA discussion at SEIAOA and the different past issues IDoA has placed on the AAA’s. Override Bloomington’s AAA on a procurement procedure. How grantees should be involved with decision making (which is a conflict of interest). We are an autonomous agency and our decision making and rights are being taken away. Susan R. will be in contact with an AARP attorney. Dan Hamilton worked with Bloomington’s counter suit. Motion APPROVED by consensus.

MOTION: I4A ask IDoA to provide us with an attorney to provide counsel pursuant to Federal Law. Lack of second.

Having no other business, meeting was adjourned at 4:37 p.m. on Motion by Rider and second by Eskildsen. APPROVED.