IARF - IARF NewsNotes

IARF NewsNotes - February 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:50:13 GMT

Table of Contents:

Governor to Deliver Budget Address Next Wednesday – HHS Briefing to Follow
Affordability and Tax Justice Coalition Prepares State Tax/Revenue Changes
HFS Issues Electronic Visit Verification Provider Notice
DHS-DDD Releases Revalidation Draft Information Bulletin
DBHR Begins Releasing FY27 Grant Applications – Several Applications Removed
Quarterly EVV Townhall to be Held March 26th
DBHR Releases Updated Guidance on FOID Mental Health Reporting
Courts Intervene on Trump Administration Move to Withhold $600 Million in Public Health Grants to Illinois
Supporting the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act
IARF Advocacy Day – May 14th – Registration Open
Registration Open for 2026 Behavioral Health Advocacy Day
Behavioral Health Webinar - Evidence into Action: Strengthening Employment for Those Served in the Public Mental Health Care System
StationMD Webinar: Sleep, Routine, and Mental Health
CQL Virtual Training – Embrace the Dignity of Risk
New CE-Approved Training Opportunities for Illinois QIDPs
Charting the Course to Employment Success with Family Supports and Cross-System Partnerships
Caring for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Training Opportunity
Webinar Series- Advancing Dementia-Capable Primary Care: Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
IARF Member Benefit Review
2026 IARF Compensation Survey Now Available
Neighborhood Conditions for Adults with Disabilities in Chicago
PBS NewsHour Covers How People with Disabilities could Bear the Burden of Medicaid Funding Cuts
2026 Legislative Bills of Interest

GOVERNOR TO DELIVER BUDGET ADDRESS NEXT WEDNESDAY – HHS BRIEFING TO FOLLOW

Next Wednesday, February 18, at 12:00 PM (noon), Governor JB Pritzker will deliver his annual State of the State and Budget address where he will outline his administration's priorities for fiscal year 2027. While few details have yet to emerge on his plans for the coming fiscal year, we expect there to be a continued tightening of the state's purse strings. The address can be viewed live by taking this link. Following the Governor's address, leaders from the administration and all of the state's health and human services agencies will provide an in-depth briefing on each individual agency's proposed budget. That briefing will begin at 2:00 PM on the 18th and can be viewed live here. As we do each year, IARF will send members an extensive analysis of the Governor's proposed budget following the address and the HHS briefing. (Contact: Emily Miller)

AFFORDABILITY AND TAX JUSTICE COALITION PREPARES STATE TAX/REVENUE CHANGES

The Affordability and Tax Justice Coalition, a coalition/caucus of bicameral members of the Illinois General Assembly was recently highlighted in Politico's Illinois playbook. Comprised of over 40 members, the group looks to "lean into transforming our tax system and creating sustainable revenue to protect people and the services we all depend on." In addition to work the coalition has done internally on potential revenue/tax reforms, the group has asked for feedback on additional ideas.

Given the uncertainty on federal funds and previous Economic and Fiscal Reports out of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, there is growing concern that the proposed FY27 budget may be insufficient to address the investment needs across Illinois' various core service needs in healthcare, education, and the social safety net. (Contact: Josh Evans)

HFS ISSUES ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICATION PROVIDER NOTICE

On February 10, 2026, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) issued an updated Provider Notice regarding Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements for Home Health Care Services (HHCS) agencies billing under the State Plan. This updated EVV policy, effective April 1, 2026, reinforces that providers must use either HHA's or an approved vendor's mobile application to verify visits and capture GPS location at the start and end of service delivery, as required by both state and federal regulations.

HFS will monitor compliance on a quarterly basis by State Fiscal Year (SFY). Provider agencies must meet a minimum EVV compliance threshold of 75% each quarter. Compliance is calculated based on visit data within each individual quarter and does not carry over between quarters. Agencies that fail to meet the 75% threshold, do not use EVV appropriately for claims, fail to use approved mobile applications, or do not track full caregiver Social Security numbers will face progressive corrective actions. The first instance of quarterly non-compliance requires administrators to complete HHA Learning Management System modules within 30 days. A second occurrence requires submission of a Compliance Action Plan within 10 business days. A third occurrence will result in referral to the HFS Office of Inspector General for investigation. Providers with questions may contact HFS at HFS.EVV@illinois.gov. (Contact: Beth Owens)

DHS-DDD RELEASES REVALIDATION DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN

The Division of Developmental Disabilities has posted another Draft Information Bulletin (IB) this week. The newest Draft IB, IDHS: DRAFT – Provider Revalidation, provides resources to assist providers in the process of revalidation. The IB offers background on the revalidation process, definitions and resource links in addition to outlining expectations of providers and the process. While the IB does not contain any new information, it does provide all the information that providers will need to complete the validation process in one single referenceable document. Providers should take note that the IB does reiterate the Division's request that Providers e-mail DHS.DDDMedProv@illinois.gov following the completion of the revalidation process for review and modification approval of DDD Waiver Services. This IB is open for public comment while it remains in the draft form through February 26, 2026. (Contact: Beth Owens)

DBHR BEGINS RELEASING FY27 GRANT APPLICATIONS – SEVERAL APPLICATIONS REMOVED

Last week, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery began to post several FY27 grant applications, including for the following competitive NOFO programs, which are listed below according to application due date.

The following applications are due Tuesday, March 3, at 12:00 PM:

Program 834 – Jail-Based Mental Health Services

The following application is due Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 PM:

Program 590 – Crisis Care System

It was announced today, that DBHR has removed the applications for several NOFOs – those that have been removed are for the following programs:

Program 200 – Housing Bridge Subsidy Administrator
Program 710 – Outreach Peer Ambassador Program
Program 785 – Cluster Permanent Supportive Housing

According to today's announcement, the reason for these removals is that these grants will be changing from competitive grants to non-competitive grants in FY27. The non-competitive grant applications will be released in March.

For more information on all FY27 grant applications, click here. (Contact: Emily Miller)

QUARTERLY EVV TOWNHALL TO BE HELD MARCH 26th

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will host a virtual Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Townhall Meeting on March 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. via WebEx. During the townhall, HFS will share updated information on EVV and review the current requirements in place. This training is intended for Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Employers of Record (EORs), Self-Directed Assistants (SDAs), and families of individuals receiving services. Representatives from HFS, HHAexchange, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) will be available to answer questions and provide clarification on program-specific issues. The webinar will be recorded, and presentation materials will be posted to the HFS EVV website once available. Individuals receiving Developmental Disability Waiver funding for PSW services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy in home-based settings are strongly encouraged to attend. Registration is required and available through this March EVV Townhall WebEx registration link, where participants may also submit questions in advance for consideration during the meeting. (Contact: Beth Owens)

DBHR RELEASES UPDATED GUIDANCE ON FOID MENTAL HEALTH REPORTING

Today, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery released updated guidance regarding the Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) reporting requirements for mental health facilities and professionals. This new guidance includes information on clear and present danger reporting by physicians, clinical psychologists, advance practice psychiatric nurses, and qualified examiners, as well as facility reporting for mental health inpatient admissions. Click here to view the full updated guidance. (Contact: Emily Miller)

COURTS INTERVENE ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO WITHHOLD $600 MILLION IN PUBLIC HEALTH GRANTS TO ILLINOIS

The Trump administration's plan to slash $600 million in public health grants across four Democrat-led states (California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota), with at least $29 million in Illinois grants on the chopping block, has run into the Courts. A move Governor Pritzker called politically motivated and an attempt to "punish certain states President Trump does not like" was met again with suits from states attorney generals and Governors. A TRO was issued by Judge Manish Shah yesterday. There are no indications these cuts will have a direct impact on I/DD and BH service providers, however, there may be a downstream impact due to the potential to undermine overall public health. (Contact: Josh Evans)

SUPPORTING THE RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ACT

Starting today, Executive Directors & CEOs from I/DD provider organizations across Illinois begin outreach to Illinois' Congressional Delegation to urge co-sponsorship & support for the "Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act." This Act – introduced in both chambers – would establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Once implemented, it would create the data foundation necessary for evidence-based policy decisions at federal, state, and local levels. Previous versions of this legislation were co-sponsored and supported by Senators Durbin and Duckworth, as well as Congressman Casten and Krishnamoorthi. (Contact: Josh Evans)

IARF ADVOCACY DAY – MAY 14TH – REGISTRATION OPEN

Registration is now open for IARFs 2026 Advocacy Day which will take place in Springfield, Thursday May 14, from 11-2 PM. We have reserved the south end of the first floor of the Capitol building where member organizations will be able to set up shop, including name brand table coverings, brochures, and other information during our Advocacy Day event, with the intent that legislators and any other individuals walking the halls of the Capitol building can stop by and learn more about your organization.

Our goal is to have 30 member organizations represented at the Capitol during Advocacy Day. This year, more than ever, we need to ensure members of the General Assembly continue to prioritize investments into the state's I/DD and behavioral health systems.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2026 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVOCACY DAY

Join IARF, CBHA, IABH, and NAMI Illinois for the 2026 Advocacy Day at the Illinois State Capitol. On Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 10:00 AM, advocates will gather together in the rotunda of the Capitol Building to begin our day of advocacy on behalf of community behavioral health supports and services in Illinois. Attendees will meet with legislators to encourage their support of behavioral health funding in the FY27 state budget and other priorities. To register for this year's event, click here. Registration includes the option to purchase a t-shirt commemorating the day but is not required. (Contact: Emily Miller)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WEBINAR – EVIDENCE INTO ACTION: STRENGTHENING EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE SERVED IN THE PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Join the federal Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) for a Webinar on 2/25/26 at 2 PM for a webinar entitled Evidence into Action: Strengthening Employment for Those Served in the Public Mental Health Care System.

This webinar focuses on current trends and strategies for improving employment outcomes for individuals served by the public mental health care system. The session will explore how and why mental health employment services are evolving and how existing or emerging policy and funding trends will impact states, providers, and partners moving forward. The discussion will highlight traditional and emerging funding mechanisms—including Medicaid, certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs), and related federal initiatives. REGISTER HERE (Contact: Emily Miller)

STATIONMD WEBINAR: SLEEP, ROUTINE, AND MENTAL HEALTH

IARF Supporting Member StationMD is hosting a webinar on Thursday, February 19th at 1:00 pm CST with Medical Director Dr. Robert Flowers to discuss Sleep, Routine, and Mental Health. Take this link to register. (Contact: Josh Evans)

CQL VIRTUAL TRAINING – EMBRACE THE DIGNITY OF RISK

On Wednesday, March 18th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, CQL will host a virtual training titled "Embrace the Dignity of Risk." In this training, attendees will discover how to help people in building new knowledge, having new experiences, and gaining new skills, all while understanding the value that risk can often provide. Objectives include:

Realize how aversion to risk can negatively impact quality of life
Connect the dots between Dignity of Risk and demonstrating respect
Find out how the Three E's (Education, Experience, and Exposure) can support the Dignity of Risk
Explore strategies for shifting mindsets and day-to-day practices
Understand the real-world benefits of people taking risks

The training costs $75 per attendee. Please take this link to register. (Contact: Josh Evans)

NEW CE-APPROVED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ILLINOIS QIDPS

IntellectAbility's Fatal Five Case Manager eLearn and Virtual Person-Centered Thinking (vPCT) trainings have been approved for QIDP continuing education units in Illinois. These evidence-based courses support providers in identifying preventable health risks, strengthening person-centered practices, and building informed, sustainable service systems. Early awareness of CE-approved education allows providers to plan ahead and prioritize meaningful professional development. (Contact: Beth Owens)

CHARTING THE COURSE TO EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS WITH FAMILY SUPPORTS AND CROSS-SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS

On Thursday, February 24 at 2:00 pm, the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center will host another National Community of Practice Webinar with the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Institute for Human Development to discuss its Charting the LifeCourse framework. Learning objectives include:

Understand the core principles of the LifeCourse framework and how they guide employment planning, to support job attainment and retention.
Discover how aligning supports across education, vocational rehabilitation, and community-based services systems can remove barriers and expand access to CIE.
Identify how the Administration on Disabilities (AoD) grantees can champion knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative engagement to scale effective practices and increase visibility and access to services.

CARING FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND DEMENTIA TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Caring for aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) requires specialized knowledge, particularly as more individuals experience age-related changes and dementia. The National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices is offering its nationally recognized Dementia Capable Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia training in an accessible online format on February 24–26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (with the third day as a half-day trainer option).

Grounded in NTG's national model curriculum, this interactive workshop provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to support adults with IDD who are living with dementia. Participants will explore how dementia may present differently in this population, learn to use the NTG Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG-EDSD), identify treatable conditions that may mimic Alzheimer's disease, address behavioral changes using non-pharmacologic approaches, adapt environments to promote independence, and strengthen health care advocacy skills. Sessions are recorded for convenience, and all attendees receive a certificate for 12 contact hours.

Participants may register for either the 2-Day Foundation Workshop ($275), designed for direct support professionals and aging and disability staff, or the 3-Day NTG Affiliated Regional Trainer Workshop ($475), which authorizes participants to deliver the NTG curriculum within their organizations or externally after completing a required knowledge assessment.

Registration and more information can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)

WEBINAR SERIES- ADVANCING DEMENTIA-CAPABLE PRIMARY CARE: SUPPORTING ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

The National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices invites primary care clinicians and allied health professionals to participate in a free three-part webinar series, Advancing Dementia-Capable Primary Care: Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Designed for professionals who support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including individuals with Down syndrome, this series provides practical, IDD-informed guidance on recognizing dementia, navigating diagnosis and medical management, and supporting function and safety after diagnosis. The series is offered in collaboration with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine (AADMD) and the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA), and is supported by the Special Olympics Systems Change for Inclusive Health Subgrant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Each one-hour webinar will be held from 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET and offers continuing education opportunities. Participants may earn 1 CME credit for each live session attended upon completion of a post-webinar survey. DDNA Nursing CEUs are approved for Webinar 1, with approval pending for Webinars 2 and 3. Free CMEs and CEUs are awarded only to participants who attend the full live session and complete the evaluation.

The series begins on Monday, March 16, 2026, with Dementia in Adults with IDD and Down Syndrome: What to Look for at the Primary Care Visit, presented by Brian Chicoine, MD, of Advocate Health Care's Adult Down Syndrome Clinic. This session offers practical strategies for recognizing IDD-specific dementia presentations, distinguishing lifelong baseline from new decline, incorporating caregiver input, and determining when monitoring or specialty referral is needed. REGISTER HERE

On Monday, April 13, 2026, Seth Keller, MD, Neurologist at Neurology Associates of South Jersey, will present Diagnosis and Management of Dementia in Adults with IDD. This webinar outlines a structured diagnostic approach tailored to adults with IDD, including adapting standard dementia evaluations, identifying reversible conditions that mimic dementia, and understanding when specialty referral is appropriate. REGISTER HERE

The final session, Supporting Function and Safety After Diagnosis: Dementia Care Planning for Adults with IDD, will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, and presented by Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, and Kathryn Service, RN, M.S., FNP-BC, CDDN. This webinar focuses on practical post-diagnosis care planning strategies to support function, safety, communication, and quality of life, emphasizing coordinated, person-centered approaches across care settings. REGISTER HERE

This free series provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen dementia-capable primary care and improve outcomes for adults with IDD. Registration is required for each individual session. (Contact: Beth Owens)

IARF MEMBER BENEFIT REVIEW

Staying connected and informed has never been more important, and we want to make sure you're getting the most out of your IARF membership. The attached document highlights key member benefits and walks you through how to ensure your member profile is up to date, view committee and meeting schedules, access and sign up for NewsNotes and much more. Taking a few minutes to review this information will help you stay engaged and avoid missing important updates. We encourage you to share this document with others in your organization so everyone can take full advantage of these resources. Keeping your information current helps us better support you and helps you stay plugged into everything that's happening. Please click here to view your Member Benefits and as always, please reach out with any questions. (Contact: Sara Roth)

2026 IARF COMPENSATION SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE

The 2026 Compensation Survey is now available for purchase. This year's survey is specific to Illinois I/DD and BH services and supports and captures data on 49 positions with community-based providers, including salary increases from state fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025). The statistics within the report are current as of November 1, 2025. Purchase options include:

IARF Members: $200
Non-Members: $500

Please take this link to purchase today! (Contact: Sara Roth)

NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN CHICAGO

Recently the Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and Department of Public Health published a first report "Neighborhood Conditions for Adults with Disabilities in Chicago." This first comprehensive report is intended to help Chicago better understanding the needs of the disability community and serve the community where they reside.

Key Statistics

Population:

1 in 4 adults (25.6% or ~535,000 people) in Chicago have a disability
Most common types: Cognitive (47.8%) and Mobility (41.3%) disabilities
42.1% have multiple disability types

Geographic Distribution:

South and west sides have higher concentrations of residents with disabilities (40%+ in some areas)
Neighborhoods with highest prevalence: West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Fuller Park, West Englewood, Burnside, Roseland, South Deering, Riverdale

Demographics:

More prevalent among non-Latino Black Chicagoans (32%) vs. Latino (27%), White (19%), or Asian (20%)
31% of LGBTQ+ Chicagoans report disability vs. 24% of cisgender-heterosexual adults
Nearly 40% of cognitive disabilities affect young adults aged 18-29
40% of mobility disabilities affect seniors 65+

Report recommendations include:

1. Ensure Accessibility of Public Spaces and Services

Public spaces and services should be easily accessible to all Chicagoans
Ensure equitable distribution of resources

2. Implement Regular Accessibility Assessments

City departments, agencies, and community organizations should establish policies requiring regularly scheduled assessments that evaluate:

Use of services by the disability community
Current barriers to access
Opportunities to improve accessibility

3. Expand Data Collection on Disability

Quantitative: Organizations should collect disability status information (ideally using the 6 US Census disability questions) as part of demographic data collection
Qualitative: Conduct feedback sessions, focus groups, and community meetings to capture lived experiences of people with disabilities
Share collected information across stakeholders to enable cross-collaborative efforts

4. Center Voices of People with Disabilities

Accessibility and inclusion work should always center the input and lived experiences of people with disabilities
Create spaces where people are comfortable sharing their stories
Engage in intentional community engagement and relationship building

5. Foster Cross-Department and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Collaborative and community-centered approaches are needed across multiple sectors
Leverage expertise of those with lived experience and those who work with the disability community
Build reciprocal relationships with the disability community and advocacy organizations

(Contact: Josh Evans)

PBS NEWSHOUR COVERS HOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES COULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF MEDICAID FUNDING CUTS

On January 30th PBS News Hour ran a segment discussing the potential impact of H.R. 1 Medicaid changes on people with disabilities. The segment discusses the optional nature of most Medicaid funding that supports persons with disabilities in community-based settings, which state governments could target for funding reductions to offset the massive loss of federal funding. (Contact: Josh Evans)

2026 LEGISLATIVE BILLS OF INTEREST

IARF tracks many legislative initiatives as they are filed in the General Assembly. Below is an evolving list of bills on which IARF has taken a position as of today's date (Support, Oppose, Monitor).

Bill: HB4969 and SB3427 (Rep. Faver Dias and Sen. Koehler)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: A 2026 IARF Legislative initiative, these bills represent a DHS-DDD Guidehouse Omnibus legislation that includes wage increases for DSPs and ICF aides, and also implements all of the remaining priorities contained within the rate study that have yet to be fully funded.

Bill: HB4850 and SB3727 (Rep. Johnson and Sen. Halpin)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: A 2026 IARF Legislative initiative, these bills represent changes for Community Day Services that remove the CDS daily billing cap and reissue the provider wage/cost survey for transportation services for CDS.

Bill: HB4747 and SB3255 (Rep. Gil and Sen. Murphy)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: A 2026 IARF Legislative initiative, these bills extend the deadline for the state to implement the DSP Credentialing Pilot Program to 2028 (currently 2025), which has yet to be implemented.

Bill: HB4884 and SB3714 (Rep. Olickal and Sen. Johnson)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: A 2026 IARF Legislative initiative, these bills allow DHS BALC to publish the tools used during CILA surveys.

Bill: SB4000 (Sen. Fine)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to Senate Assignments Committee
Description: Establishes the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program to provide funding to eligible entities to support paid internships for non-clinical staff positions within a community mental health organization.

Bill: HB4179 and SB2911 (Rep. Meier and Sen. Harriss)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Appropriations – Human Services Committee
Description: Appropriates $10 million from the state's General Revenue Fund (GRF) for Dignity in Pay Grants to support employment for people with I/DD.

Bill: HB4848 and SB3340 (Rep. Syed and Sen. Guzman)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: An initiative of the Arc of Illinois, also known as Kiki's Law, this legislation guarantees the right for individuals to wear protective medical equipment in public accommodations without having to disclose personal health information.

Bill: HB4362 (Rep. LaPointe)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and Assigned to Appropriations – Human Services Committee
Description: Appropriates $5 million to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program.

Bill: HB4893 (Rep. LaPointe)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee
Description: Minimum standards governing behavioral health pre-payment and post-payment reviews into MCO contracts effective for all services covered on and after January 1, 2027. This is an initiative of CBHA.

Bill: HB4812 (Rep. Jimenez)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee
Description: Appropriates $10 million to the Department of Human Services for the Housing is Recovery Program. This is an initiative of the Healthy Minds Health Lives Coalition.

Bill: HB5315 and SB3751 (Rep. Avelar and Sen. Fine)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: Provides for rate increases for Assertive Community Treatment and Community Support Teams.

Bill: HB1843 (Rep. Ness and Sen. Ellman)
Position: Support
Status: Passed House and in Senate Assignments Committee
Description: A municipality may not adopt zoning regulations that prohibit individuals from living together in a CILA or housing for a CILA.

Bill: HB4284 (Rep. Cochran)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee
Description: Changes disability definitions within different areas of Illinois Compiled Statutes. Sponsor initiative.

Bill: HB4324 (Rep. Moeller)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and referred to the Rules Committees
Description: CILA Occupancy Factor. In certain instances, a provider shall receive 100% of the per diem reimbursement for up to 20 medical absence days.

Bill: HB4449 (Rep. West II) and SB2894 (Sen. Villanueva)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to the House Rules Committees
Description: FY27 DSP Wage Increases to 150% of state minimum wage. AFSCME initiative.

Bill: HB4450 (Rep. Morris) and SB2883 (Guzman)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee
Description: Creates the Human Services Workforce Sustainability Act. An initiative of the Illinois Partners for Human Services.

Bill: HB4495 (Rep. LaPointe)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee
Description: Creates the Strengthen Linkage to Follow-Up Care after a Behavioral Health Crisis Act.

Bill: HB4542 (Rep. Grant)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee
Description: Clarifies the definition of one's "own home" in several ILCS affecting people with disabilities.

Bill: SB2744 (Sen. Hills)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to Senate Assignments Committee
Description: Provides an income tax credit for those that employ people with disabilities or serious mental illness.

Bill: SB2971 (Sen. Castro)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to Senate Assignments Committee
Description: Home Services Program workers to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training at the start of their employment and annually thereafter.

Bill: HB4728 and SB3118 (Rep. Faver-Dias and Sen. Cervantes)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: An AFSCME initiative, this legislation provides guardrails and reporting requirements on asset management companies and CILAs.

(Contact: Luis Andrade and Emily Miller)

IARF NewsNotes - February 6, 2026

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:19:22 GMT

Table of Contents:

Governor to Deliver Budget Address February 18 – Human Services Briefing to Follow
IARF Member Benefit Review
DBHR Begins Releasing FY27 Grant Applications
HFS Webinar on Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) Framework Next Week
DHS-DDD Releases Two New Draft Information Bulletions
COGFA Publishes January 2026 Monthly Briefing
IAMHP Releases Updated Universal Roster Template
NCI-IDD State of the Workforce – Illinois Makes Progress on Workforce Stabilization
Illinois Joins the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network
Registration Open for 2026 Behavioral Health Advocacy Day
New 14(c) Survey and Technical Assistance Opportunity
Quarterly EVV Townhall to be Held March 26th
IntellectAbility Webinar- Reproductive Health & IDD: A Needed Conversation
2026 Legislative Bills of Interest

GOVERNOR TO DELIVER BUDGET ADDRESS FEBRUARY 18 – HUMAN SERVICES BRIEFING TO FOLLOW

On Wednesday, February 18, at 12:00 PM, Governor JB Pritzker will deliver his annual State of the State and Budget address where he will outline his administration's priorities for fiscal year 2027. While few details have yet to emerge on his plans for the coming fiscal year, we expect there to be a continued tightening of the state's purse strings. The address can be viewed live by taking this link. Following the Governor's address, leaders from the administration and all of the state's health and human services agencies will provide an in-depth briefing on each individual agency's proposed budget. That briefing will begin at 2:00 PM on the 18th and can be viewed live here. As we do each year, IARF will send members an extensive analysis of the Governor's proposed budget following the address and the HHS briefing. (Contact: Emily Miller)

IARF MEMBER BENEFIT REVIEW

DBHR BEGINS RELEASING FY27 GRANT APPLICATIONS

This week, DBHR began posting several FY27 grant applications, including for the following competitive NOFO programs, which are listed below according to application due date.

The following applications are due Tuesday, March 3, at 12:00 PM:

Program 200 – Housing Bridge Subsidy Administrator
Program 710 – Outreach Peer Ambassador Program
Program 785 – Cluster Permanent Supportive Housing
Program 834 – Jail-Based Mental Health Services

The following application is due Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 PM:

Program 590 – Crisis Care System

The following application was originally released this week, but has since been temporarily removed and is expected to be re-released in the coming days:

Program 510 – RTLR Regions The Living Room

For more information on all FY27 grant applications, click here. (Contact: Emily Miller)

HFS WEBINAR ON MOBILE RESPONSE AND STABILIZATION SERVICES (MRSS) FRAMEWORK NEXT WEEK

On Wednesday, HFS released a provider notice with the link to register for their upcoming webinar on the transition to a mobile response and stabilization services (MRSS) model beginning in July of 2026. While we don't anticipate much additional information beyond what was shared during the initial meeting with providers in late January, IARF staff will be in attendance and will share any additional information with members following the webinar. In case you missed it in yesterday's update to IARF BH Committee members, the full write-up previously shared with IARF members after the initial meeting with providers can be found here and the state's PowerPoint presentation from that meeting can be found here. The link to register for next week's HFS webinar is here: HFS Webinar on MRSS Framework – Wednesday, February 11, 11:00 AM – Register Here (Contact: Emily Miller)

DHS-DDD RELEASES TWO NEW DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETINS

The Division of Developmental Disabilities has posted two new Draft Information Bulletins. The first, IDHS: DRAFT - Behavior Support Plan Development Guidance, provides guidance on developing and implementing behavior services for individuals receiving home and community-based services (HCBS). The second, IDHS: DRAFT - Behavior Intervention and Treatment (56U) Billing Guidance, provides guidance for billing for Behavior Intervention and Treatment (56U) and on the process for becoming a Behavior Intervention and Treatment (BIT) provider. Both if these Information Bulletins are in Draft form and open for comment through February 17, 2026. IARF has hosted a one feedback call to discuss these Draft IB's in further detail and will host another next week. Contact Beth Owens, bowens@iarf.org, for more information on the feedback calls. (Contact: Beth Owens)

COGFA PUBLISHES JANUARY 2026 MONTHLY BRIEFING

It was a mixed month for revenues deposited into the State's General Funds in January. Modest gains from the primary revenue sources were more than offset by declines in Federal Sources, Transfers, and a few other State revenue areas. Total General Funds revenues for the month reached $4.597 billion, which is $152 million, or 3.2%, below the $4.749 billion collected in January of last year. Despite the monthly decline, cumulative revenues remain ahead of last year's pace by $1.038 billion, or 3.5%, through the first seven months of the fiscal year.

Read the full report HERE. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

IAMHP RELEASES UPDATED UNIVERSAL ROSTER TEMPLATE

As announced by HFS in a provider notice released earlier this week, the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) has released an updated provider enrollment roster template, effective February 1, 2026. The previous template will no longer be available or accepted by the Medicaid health plans. The provider enrollment roster template is standardized across all HealthChoice Illinois health plans – the newest updates to the roster include:

The renaming of the Group/Location tab to the Group/Agency tab;
Additional fields in the Practitioner tab to capture HIPAA compliance and accessibility of telehealth services at the practitioner's location;
Additional fields to capture ethnicity and race for all practitioners;
Switching of the "Location Phone" field and the "Appointment Phone" fields in the Practitioner, Group/Agency, and Facility tabs; and
The Instructions and Directions tabs across all provider types have been updated to reflect the above changes.

Important information from the notice:
The process and cadence for submitting the standardized roster remains the same. Medicaid providers must complete the standardized roster when making changes to all HealthChoice Illinois network listings. To assist with more timely credentialing and provider load, it is prudent to complete and send the roster to the MCO at the same time you submit your IMPACT application or modification or have changes or updates to your practice or agency (e.g. provider name changes, office location updates, new providers joining a practice, etc.). Timely updates will ensure the MCOs' directories are current, and accurate payments to providers can be made. All licensed roster staff providing direct care services in your organization must be added to the roster.

The universal format addresses the information needs of individual providers, group practices and facilities. Additionally, the format ensures compliance with recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules on the scope of information that should be made available to Medicaid beneficiaries in provider directories. The provider roster cannot be used for credentialing providers. Effective January 1, 2018, HFS assumed the sole responsibility for credentialing through the State's IMPACT registration system.

Additional information can be found on the IAMHP website. (Contact: Emily Miller)

NCI-IDD STATE OF THE WORKFORCE – ILLINOIS MAKES PROGRESS ON WORKFORCE STABILIZATION

Recently the National Core Indicators (NCI) published its most recent State of the Workforce report, which analyzes data from 27 states (including Washington, D.C.) on the Direct Support Professional Workforce (DSP). This year's report gathered data on 344,179 DSPs across participating states.

Since 2016 Illinois has participated in this national survey. A review of report data from 2016 – 2024 shows Illinois has made remarkable progress on stabilizing the DSP workforce, as compared to other midwestern states and states with similar GDPs.

$19.52/hr – average wage for all DSPs in 2024 report (Method II). This represents a 59% increase in average wage paid from 2017 – 2024;
$18.35./hr – average starting wage for all DSPs in 2024 report (Method II). This represents a 57% increase in average starting wage paid from 2017 – 2024;
Ranked third of nine states in average wage ranking for the Midwest, behind only South Dakota and Missouri;
Leads all states with similar GDPs in dental and health insurance offerings

Data also may indicate the combination of wage levels and benefits packages has contributed to our state's success in retaining tenured DSPs and reducing vacancy rates. However, overall turnover remains a challenge, as Illinois' turnover rate of 41.3% is above the 37.1% national average. (Contact: Josh Evans)

ILLINOIS JOINS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS GLOBAL OUTBREAK ALERT RESPONSE NETWORK

This week, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that the state is joining the World Health Organizations Global Outbreak Alert Response Network, a coordinated international network dedicated to monitoring and responding to global disease outbreaks. The move is in response to the federal government's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization.

Governor Pritzker stated:
"By joining the World Health Organization's coordinated network, GOARN, we are ensuring that our public health leaders – and the public – have the information, expertise, and partnerships they need to protect the people of our state. Across our state and alongside valued partners around the world, Illinois will continue to put science, preparedness, and people first."

By joining the network, Illinois will benefit from WHO membership resources including:

Direct access to global early-warning alerts and outbreak intelligence.
Opportunities for technical collaboration and surge support during major public health events.
Participation in international training, exercises, and best-practice exchanges.
Stronger coordination between state-level public health systems and global response efforts.

(Contact: Luis Andrade)

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2026 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVOCACY DAY

NEW 14C SURVEY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITY

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with Economic Systems, Inc., is launching a major new technical assistance initiative designed specifically to support 14(c) providers as Illinois moves forward with implementation of Dignity in Pay. This timely and practical initiative is provider-focused and built around the real, day-to-day needs of organizations delivering services. The first and most important step in this effort is a statewide survey, which plays a critical role for two reasons. First, it will establish a real-time snapshot of how many individuals are currently working and receiving subminimum wages, creating an essential baseline to track outcomes, align state resources, and better understand current needs across Illinois. Second, the survey will help identify the specific support needs of 14(c) providers, directly shaping the free technical assistance that will be offered over the next nine months. Provider input will influence the type, intensity, and focus of this support as the state implements Dignity in Pay. Completion of the survey is required to receive technical assistance - survey link. (Contact: Beth Owens)

QUARTERLY EVV TOWNHALL TO BE HELD MARCH 26th

INTELLECTABILITY WEBINAR – REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & IDD: A NEEDED CONVERSATION

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face barriers to accessing accurate, respectful reproductive healthcare. Join IntellectAbility for an upcoming IDD-Perspectives webinar focused on reproductive health for women with IDD, featuring a clinician-led discussion on access, education, and quality care. This session explores how providers and systems can better support informed choice, dignity, and health equity. Register Now! (Contact: Beth Owens)

2026 LEGISLATIVE BILLS OF INTEREST

Bill: HB4848and SB3340 (Rep. Syed and Sen. Guzman)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and assigned to House Rules Committee and Senate Assignments Committee
Description: An initiative of the Arc of Illinois, also known as Kiki's Law, this legislation guarantees the right for individuals to wear protective medical equipment in public accommodations without having to disclose personal health information.

Bill: HB4179 (Rep. Meier)
Position: Support
Status: Filed and referred to House Rules Committee.
Description: Appropriates $10 million from the state's General Revenue Fund (GRF) for Dignity in Pay Grants.

Bill: SB2971: (Sen. Castro)
Position: Monitoring
Status: Filed and referred to Senate Assignments Committee
Description: Home Services Program workers to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training at the start of their employment and annually thereafter.

(Contact: Luis Andrade and Emily Miller)