DHFS-PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase rates and reimbursements in effect on June 30, 2021 payable to Illinois not-for-profit community-based agencies in order to increase access utilization of individual and group supported employment, increase acuity-based rate differentials in on-site and off-site community day services, and other matters. Provides that beginning January 1, 2022, for a medical assistance recipient who is a resident in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) Licensure and Certification Act, the State shall pay an amount in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance from both State and federal sources equals $90. Provides that beginning no later than October 1, 2022, residents of CILA facilities who are eligible for medical assistance and are enrolled in the State's home and community-based services waiver program for adults with developmental disabilities shall retain all earned income from employment or community day services activities. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In a provision requiring the State Use Committee to review the pricing of supplies and services procured by the State from a qualified not-for-profit agency for persons with significant disabilities, provides that the Committee may consider during its review certain factors including, but not limited to, amounts private businesses would pay for similar products or services. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/5-5.4i 305 ILCS 5/5-35 Further amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes language stating that the purpose of the Code's provisions concerning not-for-profit agencies for persons with significant disabilities is to further the State's Employment First Policy via the Illinois Employment First Act by maximizing its investment in job opportunities that afford individuals with disabilities competitive wages and allow those individuals to achieve maximum independence through employment. Removes language requiring that supplies and services be procured without advertising or calling for bids from any qualified not-for-profit agency for persons with significant disabilities that pays at least minimum wage or better. Removes the amendatory changes made to the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning an increase in rates and reimbursements to not-for-profit community-based agencies and an increase in personal needs allowances for residents of Community-Integrated Living Arrangements. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that beginning July 1, 2021 (rather than October 1, 2022) residents of community-integrated living arrangements who meet specified criteria shall retain all earned income from employment or community day services activities.