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GOVERNOR TO DELIVER BUDGET ADDRESS NEXT WEDNESDAY – HHS BRIEFING TO FOLLOWNext 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 CHANGESThe 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 NOTICEOn 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 [email protected]. (Contact: Beth Owens) DHS-DDD RELEASES REVALIDATION DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETINThe 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 [email protected] 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 REMOVEDLast 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:
The following application is due Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 PM:
It was announced today, that DBHR has removed the applications for several NOFOs – those that have been removed are for the following programs:
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 26thThe 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 REPORTINGToday, 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 ILLINOISThe 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 ACTStarting 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 OPENRegistration 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. REGISTER HERE. (Contact: Luis Andrade) REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2026 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVOCACY DAYJoin 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 SYSTEMJoin 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 HEALTHIARF 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 RISKOn 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:
The training costs $75 per attendee. Please take this link to register. (Contact: Josh Evans) NEW CE-APPROVED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ILLINOIS QIDPSIntellectAbility'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 PARTNERSHIPSOn 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:
Register by taking this link. (Contact: Josh Evans) CARING FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND DEMENTIA TRAINING OPPORTUNITYCaring 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 DISABILITIESThe 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 REVIEWStaying 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 AVAILABLEThe 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:
Please take this link to purchase today! (Contact: Sara Roth) NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN CHICAGORecently 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:
Geographic Distribution:
Demographics:
Report recommendations include: 1. Ensure Accessibility of Public Spaces and Services
2. Implement Regular Accessibility Assessments City departments, agencies, and community organizations should establish policies requiring regularly scheduled assessments that evaluate:
3. Expand Data Collection on Disability
4. Center Voices of People with Disabilities
5. Foster Cross-Department and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
(Contact: Josh Evans) PBS NEWSHOUR COVERS HOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES COULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF MEDICAID FUNDING CUTSOn 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 INTERESTIARF 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) Bill: HB4850 and SB3727 (Rep. Johnson and Sen. Halpin) Bill: HB4747 and SB3255 (Rep. Gil and Sen. Murphy) Bill: HB4884 and SB3714 (Rep. Olickal and Sen. Johnson) Bill: SB4000 (Sen. Fine) Bill: HB4179 and SB2911 (Rep. Meier and Sen. Harriss) Bill: HB4848 and SB3340 (Rep. Syed and Sen. Guzman) Bill: HB4362 (Rep. LaPointe) Bill: HB4893 (Rep. LaPointe) Bill: HB4812 (Rep. Jimenez) Bill: HB5315 and SB3751 (Rep. Avelar and Sen. Fine) Bill: HB1843 (Rep. Ness and Sen. Ellman) Bill: HB4284 (Rep. Cochran) Bill: HB4324 (Rep. Moeller) Bill: HB4449 (Rep. West II) and SB2894 (Sen. Villanueva) Bill: HB4450 (Rep. Morris) and SB2883 (Guzman) Bill: HB4495 (Rep. LaPointe) Bill: HB4542 (Rep. Grant) Bill: SB2744 (Sen. Hills) Bill: SB2971 (Sen. Castro) Bill: HB4728 and SB3118 (Rep. Faver-Dias and Sen. Cervantes) (Contact: Luis Andrade and Emily Miller)
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