HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1988Subcommittee on State Aid for the Township
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January 19, 1988
Members Present: Aldermen Larson, Drummer, and Wold.
Officials and Sen. Arthur Berman, Rep. Woods Bowman, Township
Staff Present:. Supervisor Edna Summers, Barbara Dennis, Anna Willis,
Jullian Coleman, Helen McCarthy, Ida Fitzgerald,
Sondra Shakespere.
Others Present: Arthur Newman
Chair: Alderman Larson, Chair
Summary of Action
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Alderman Larson provided background on the Human Services committee's
exploration of whether the Township should become a State receiving
unit for general assistance. He distributed a memorandum dated
January 19, 1988, which he had prepared which summarized the issues
to be considered by this subcommittee.
Alderman Wold asked Senator Berman and Representative Boman to give
their assessment of the likelihood that a bill similiar to Senate
Bill #519 introduced last year could pass the legislature this year.
Senator Berman said that this had been a tough bill to pass out of the
Senate and had not been approved by the House. It would benefit a small
number of townships at a high cost to the State. The prior Director
of the Department of Public Aid(IDPA), took a strong position against
the bill. Senator Berman and Representative Boman agreed that it would
be very difficult to gain passage on such a bill.
Senator Berman and Representative Boman stated that no agreewent or
"deal" had been made with IDPA relative to Evanston Township receiving
grants in exchange for not pursuing becoming a State receiving unit.
They stated that they would assist Evanston in receiving any funds
possible whatever decision is made regarding becoming a State receiving
unit.
Supervisor Summers thanked the legislators for their assistance in
receiving State funds. She stated her strong opposition. zc the Township
becoming a State receiving unit. The citizens have suF;.r_e-4 the
higher grant level of $297 and this should be maintainer. -he estimated
savings ranging from 400 to 700,000 dollars annually, ma,': '-e real or
an illusion depending upon the unanticipated cost related tc the program.,
there may be no financial savings. She personally beliEves that this
step would be a move backwards. The Township has seen Yer7—=ent changes
in Township clients who have left the Township rolls. It must be the
Township trustees decision to become a receiving unit because she will
resist this action and will resort to it only if directed the
trustees.
Arthur Newman stated that several members of City Council are extremely
supportive of the Township becoming a State receiving unit and adminis-
tering a housing voucher program. The financial saving is not an
illusion. Evanston tax payers are paying for a grant whit':: is alrost
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twice as high as other communities, without State funding. Most tax
payers would not support Evanston footing this bill when State funds
can be made available. The savings to the Township could be used
to fund important Human Services which are under funded at the present
time. The impact or cost to clients of becoming a State receiving unit
should be explored.
The committee discussed the issue of whether clients eligible for
General Assistance under the State program would be a different pool
of clients than those eligible under our locally administered program.
it was agreed that all current Evanston general assistance clients would
be eligih•le for general assistance if the Township becomes a receiving -
unit. There will be additional persons who will be eligible based on
State eligibility criteria which are broader than Evanston Townships.
Most important will be those persons without a legal address such as
those persons at the homeless shelter.
The committee also discussed the issues related to implementation of
Housing Subsidy Program. Unanswered questions include....
could such a program be operated by the Township and funded through
the town fuhd? Could the program be limited to those persons who meet
criteria which could be the same as criteria for general assistance and
thereby assisting the same caseload? Will there be persons who would
be eligible for the Housing Subsidy Program who would not be eligible
for general assistance? Would there be persons eligible for general
assistance who might not be eligible for the Housing Subsidy such as
persons not paying rent(ie. living at the shelter)? Anna Willis reviewed
the qualifications for being on general assistance including that clients
must not be eligible for other entitlement programs such as Aid for
Dependent Children. This same criteria could be applied to the Housing
Subsidy Program.
Alderman Drummer stated that the caseload has decreased dramatically
in the last several years from approximately 330-350 down to a current
caseload of 256. The Township has done well with it's job training
program and should be allowed to continue in a local program. The
needs of Evanston general assistance clients will be far better served
by a local rather than a State program.
Alderman Wold said she needs certain questions answered before she
can decide the issue. She's impressed with the job training component
of the Township program and wants it maintained. She proposed meeting
with Illinois Department of Public Aid staff to get answers on important
questions such as the difference between eligibility criteria
Evanston Township and the State, what kind of eligibility criteria could
be set for a Housing Subsidy Program, whether the Housing Subsidy Program
could be administered by the Township and paid for through the town
fund. The subcommittee requested staff to set up such a meeting.
In addition, the subcommittee agreed to provide the Township staff
with questions to that they can respond. More information on the
potential savings of being a State receiving unit, hased on di::erent
caseload assumptions, would be helpful. In addition, in.crma::,.-, on
potential impact on current Township clients should be provided.
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Individual subcommittee members should contact Supervisor Summers
with any additional questions.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Helen McCarthy, Staff iJ
cc: Joel Asprooth, City Manager