Bill Text: IL HB4599 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Creates the Home Modification Program Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to establish a home modification funding system that is streamlined, effective, and administered by experts within the disability community. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish a Home Modification Program to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities for home modification projects. Requires the Department to designate a statewide association that represents centers for independent living to serve as the lead agency to administer the program. Requires the Department to provide funding for the Program. Requires the lead agency to distribute any moneys it receives from the Department to the State's 22 centers for independent living, covering all 102 counties. Provides that the lead agency shall ensure that each center for independent living has access to at least $105,000 to use for home modification projects, with the excess funds subject to reallocation during the 4th fiscal quarter of each year. Contains provisions concerning eligibility requirements for applicants under the Program; the lead agency's establishment of a Home Modification Subcommittee to provide additional oversight of the home modification projects; and an administrative fee to the lead agency.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-04-05 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB4599 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB4599-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB4599 Introduced , by Rep. Maurice A. West, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
Creates the Home Modification Program Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to establish a home modification funding system that is streamlined, effective, and administered by experts within the disability community. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish a Home Modification Program to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities for home modification projects. Requires the Department to designate a statewide association that represents centers for independent living to serve as the lead agency to administer the program. Requires the Department to provide funding for the Program. Requires the lead agency to distribute any moneys it receives from the Department to the State's 22 centers for independent living, covering all 102 counties. Provides that the lead agency shall ensure that each center for independent living has access to at least $105,000 to use for home modification projects, with the excess funds subject to reallocation during the 4th fiscal quarter of each year. Contains provisions concerning eligibility requirements for applicants under the Program; the lead agency's establishment of a Home Modification Subcommittee to provide additional oversight of the home modification projects; and an administrative fee to the lead agency.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Home
Modification Program Act.
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds and
declares the following:
(1) The national average monthly cost for a private
nursing home room in 2020 was $8,821 ($105,852 annually).
Home modifications paired with other resources can allow
individuals to remain in their homes at a lower overall
expense.
(2) According to an AARP study, 90% of people age 65
and over would prefer to stay in their own homes as they
get older and not go to a nursing home or assisted living
facility.
(3) On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court
held in Olmstead v. L.C., 119 S. Ct. 2176 (1999), that
unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities
constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act. At the heart of its
decision were 2 concepts. First, "institutional placement
of persons who can handle and benefit from community

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settings perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons
so isolated are incapable of or unworthy of participating
in community life". Second, "confinement in an institution
severely diminishes the everyday life activities of
individuals, including family relations, social contacts,
work options, economic independence, educational
advancement, and cultural enrichment".
(4) The United States has roughly 1,200,000 adults in
nursing homes and over 360,000 people in psychiatric and
other 24-hour care institutions across the country, and
waiting lists for housing subsidies across the country
average over 2,000 households per list and have a median
of 1.5 years, and up to 7-year waits in some areas.
(5) There is an estimated shortage of 7,000,000
affordable housing units and less than 5% of the units
that do exist fit access standards for individuals with
moderate mobility needs. In Chicago, less than 1% of units
are accessible.
(6) With a growing shortage of nurses and caregivers,
home modifications can reduce the need for home support
and alleviate stress on the health care system.
(7) According to a report released in 2021 by the U.S.
Census Bureau, nearly 3,900,000 veterans receive
disability compensation payments. These veterans have
sacrificed in service to their country and for the defense
of our freedoms. Home modifications will help Illinois

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veterans to regain and maintain their own freedom to
utilize their homes and access the world around them.
(8) Current grant recipients of home modifications
funding have not had access to the expertise needed to
effectively provide resources and or services for people
with disabilities. Centers for independent living possess
the expertise to provide knowledgeable guidance to assist
people with disabilities with home modifications through
accessibility audits of current or prospective homes to
guarantee equal opportunity to live in the community.
Section 10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to
establish a home modification funding system that is
streamlined, effective, and administered by experts within the
disability community.
Section 15. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Department" means the Department of Human Services.
"Disability" means, with respect to an individual:
(1) a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities
of the individual;
(2) a record of such an impairment; or
(3) being regarded as having such an impairment.
An individual meets the requirement of "being regarded
as having such an impairment" if the individual

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establishes that he or she has been subjected to an
action prohibited under the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 because of an actual or
perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not
the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major
life activity.
"Home modification" means any change to the structure
of a residential home or property to create barrier free
living, provide access to and from the home, create
universal design, or avoid institutionalized or congregate
placement for persons with a disability.
"Older adult" means any person 60 years of age or
older.
"Universal design" means any dwelling unit designed
and constructed that is safe and accessible for everyone,
regardless of age, physical ability, or stature.
Section 20. Home Modification Program. Subject to the
availability of appropriations in an amount sufficient to
implement and administer the provisions of this Act, the
Department shall establish a Home Modification Program to
provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities for
home modification projects. The Department shall designate a
statewide association that represents centers for independent
living to serve as the lead agency to administer the program.
The Department shall provide funding to the lead agency for

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the program. The lead agency shall distribute any moneys it
receives from the Department to the State's 22 centers for
independent living, covering all 102 counties. The lead agency
shall ensure that each center for independent living has
access to at least $105,000 to use for home modification
projects, with the excess funds subject to reallocation during
the 4th fiscal quarter of each year.
Section 25. Home modification standards and
qualifications.
(a) To qualify for financial assistance under the Home
Modification Program, an applicant must meet the following
requirements:
(1) Be a resident of the State of Illinois.
(2) Be a person with a disability as defined in
Section 15. An older adult or veteran who has a disability
as defined in Section 15 meets this requirement.
(3) Have proof of disability from an agency other than
a center for independent living when a disability is not
obvious or readily apparent.
(4) Be a homeowner or a residential tenant who has
obtained the permission of his or her landlord to make the
home modification. If a tenant and landlord agree to the
home modification, both parties must sign off on final
approval, as well as sign a statement of non-fraudulent
intent.

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(5) Have income that does not exceed 200% of area
median income.
(6) Have not applied for, and been found to be
currently eligible for, a separate home modification
program or separate substantially similar services
administered, coordinated, or provided by the Department
and its divisions. Nothing in this paragraph requires a
qualified applicant to apply for services through the
Department and its divisions.
(b) Assessment.
(1) An applicant's home must undergo a thorough
assessment by a trained center for independent living
staff member. The staff member shall make a written report
of the results of the assessment.
(2) The lead agency shall establish a Home
Modification Subcommittee of experienced center for
independent living staff to provide additional oversight,
including, but not limited to:
(A) Reviewing the submitted assessment report and
bid for at least the first 3 home modification
requests from a center for independent living or when
new staff is hired.
(B) Reviewing any request for more than $35,000.
(c) Contractors.
(1) When selecting a contractor, a center for
independent living must seek bids from at least 2

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contractors, choosing the lowest responsible bidder.
(2) All contractors must be licensed, where
applicable, insured, and follow all local, State, and
federal requirements, including the requirements under the
Illinois Accessibility Code.