About the Public Policy Program
The Public Policy staff drafts bills, testifies at legislative hearings, and advocates for their passage by the state legislature (all legislative advocacy is supported with non-federal funds). Staff members monitor bills moving through the legislative process and take positions on those that are likely to have a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
By working in coalition with a variety of disability advocacy groups, other civil rights organizations, service provider and professional associations, and others, the Public Policy Program has achieved important victories for the disability community. The program has successfully advocated for state legislation that strengthens the right to self-determination and the availability of quality in-home and community-based services.
The program has a solid reputation in Springfield for its integrity and the high quality of its analysis and its focus on providing practical solutions to complex problems. In addition, policy analysts regularly provide state policymakers with the organization's unique perspective on issues through their participation on executive and legislative task forces. The Public Policy Program assists the disability community, judges and attorneys, and the public in understanding actions of the state legislature that have an impact on children and adults with disabilities by publishing an annual Legislative Summary and Analysis.
Some problems encountered by the disability community are complex, opposition to change is well funded and organized and, as a result, successful reform efforts will require a multifaceted and sophisticated strategy. Such strategies may include original policy research or in-depth study and use of the media to promote public understanding and support for reform. Recent studies the Policy Program has undertaken include:
- A 50 state study of community integration and deinstitutionalization for people with developmental disabilities.
- Findings and recommendations of the Guardianship Reform Project.
Contact Information:
Public Policy Program
20 N. Michigan, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 341-0022 Se Habla Espaņol ASL
(800) 537-2632
(800) 610-2779 (TTY)
(312) 341-0295 (Fax)
contactus@equipforequality.org
