AGENDA and MINUTES - Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security Meeting, December 7, 2023

Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security

Meeting Agenda and Minutes

December 7, 2023

3:00-4:30 PM

Recording

Members:

Appointment	Member	Present/Absent
Member of General Assembly	Senator Kimberly A. Lightford	Absent
Member of General Assembly	Senator Dale Fowler	Present
Member of General Assembly	Representative Jeff Keicher	Present
Member of General Assembly	TBD	N/A
Member of the Judiciary	TBD	N/A
Representative of an anti-poverty organization focusing on rural poverty	Co Chair - TBD	N/A
Representative of an anti-poverty organization focusing on urban and suburban poverty	Audra Wilson - Co-Chair President and CEO, Shriver Center on Poverty Law	Present
Individual who has experienced deep poverty	Channyn Lynne Parker CEO, Brave Space Alliances	Present
Individual who has experienced deep poverty	Oriane E. "Annie" Hewitt Office of Senator Neil Anderson	Absent
Representative of an organization that advocates for health care access, affordability and availability	TBD	N/A
Representative of an organization that advocates for persons with mental illness	TBD	N/A
Representative of an organization that advocates for children and youth	TBD	N/A
Representative of an organization that advocates for equity and equality in education	Dr. Mark Eichenlaub Regional Superintendent of Schools, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education #50	Present
Representative of an organization that advocates for individuals who are homeless	TBD	N/A
Representative of a statewide anti-hunger organization	Kate Maehr Executive Director and CEO, Greater Chicago Food Depository	Present
Representative of an organization that advocates for military veterans	TBD	N/A
Representative of an organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities	TBD	N/A
Representative of an organization that advocates for immigrants	Juan Manuel Calderón Chief Operating Officer, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center	Present
Representative of a statewide faith-based organization that provides direct social services in Illinois	Pastor Jason McKinnies Senior Pastor, Southern Illinois Worship Center	Present
Representative of an organization that advocates for economic security for women	Jennifer Groce Director of Community Promotion, Northern Illinois University	Left Early
Representative of an organization that advocates for older adults	TBD	N/A
Representative of a labor organization that represents primarily low and middle-income wage earners	Beth Menz SEIU International	Absent
Representative of school districts in this State	Al Llorens President, Illinois Education Association	Present
Representative of county governments in this State	Pam Davidson Knox County Board Chairwoman	Present
Representative of municipal corporation governments in this State	TBD	N/A

 Administrators:

1. Dulce Quintero - Secretary Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
2. Dana Kelly - Associate Secretary of Disability Services and Education and Facility Operations, IDHS

Guests:

1. Matthew Rodriguez - facilitator, Equity Imperative
2. Ni'Shele Jackson - Researcher, UIC
3. Karlia Brown - Researcher, UIC

AGENDA

1. Introduction of New Chair (5 min)
   • Audra Wilson, President and CEO of Shriver Center on Poverty Law
2. Welcome Roll Call/Introductions (5 min)
3. Public Comment - Subject to written comment in advance (2 min)
4. Housekeeping (3 min)
   • Required State trainings
5. Approval of July 12, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes (5 min)
6. State Level Migrant/Asylum Seeker Update (20)
7. Membership updates (25 min)
   1. Filling membership vacancies
   2. Discussion of membership mission and expectations
8. Subcommittee Updates (15)
   • Consider Federal WIC Advocacy Letter
9. 2024 Regional Convening Planning (5)
10. Next Steps and Adjournment (5 min)
    • Proposed next meeting: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - 1:30-3:00 PM

MINUTES

Guests:

1. Matthew Rodriguez - Facilitator, Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP)
2. Ni'Shele Jackson - Facilitator/Researcher, IRRPP
3. Priya Khatkhate - Chief Policy Officer, IDHS
4. Emerson Wells - Senior Policy Advisor, IDHS

Minutes

1. Introduction of New Chair led by Administrator Kelly
   • Evelyn Diaz left Hartland Alliance and is no longer the Commission Chair.
   • Audra Wilson, President and CEO of Shriver Center on Poverty Law and Commission member has replaced Ms. Diaz as the Commission Chair.
2. Welcome Roll Call/Introductions led by Administrator Kelly
   • Former IDHS Secretary Grace Hou has left IDHS and moved on to be the Deputy Governor. Dulce Quintero, previously IDHS' Assistant Secretary of Operations has replaced DG Hou as IDHS Secretary.
   • Priya Khatkhate, IDHS Senior Policy Advisor under Operations, has recently assumed the Chief Policy Officer position at IDHS. Once fully established in her new position, she will take over as the new Administrator of the Poverty Commission.
   • Ten Commission members were present during the roll call. There are 14 active members at present, quorum was declared.
3. Public Comment - Subject to written comment in advance, none received.
4. Approval of July 12, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes - Ms. Pam Davidson moved to approve the July 12, 2023 meeting minutes seconded by Ms. Kate Maehr. The group unanimously approved the July 12, 2023 meeting minutes.
5. Housekeeping
   • Administrator Kelly reminded members of the IDHS Mandatory State Trainings that need to be completed before the end of the calendar year. An email reminder will be sent after the meeting along with instructions on how to access the trainings.
6. Subcommittee Updates led by Matthew Rodriguez
   1. Summary of subcommittees' FY24 goals as presented by Mr. Rodriguez - Mr. Rodriguez posed two questions before presenting the goals, are the goals ambitious enough and are the goals at the right altitude
      1. Pillar 1: Illinois is best in nation for raising families
         1. Advocate for WIC resources
         2. Increase uptake of WIC
      2. Pillar 2: Stabilize homes and communities
         1. Support funding for housing units
         2. Research rent control models
         3. Address credit check impact
         4. Map of housing affordability/availability
      3. Pillar 3: Ensure just and equitable access to economic security programs
         1. Address barriers within ABE
         2. Advocate for guaranteed income
         3. Awareness campaign for benefits
      4. Pillar 4: Address barriers to paid work, education, and advancement
         1. Advocate to address gaps in childcare availability and demand
         2. Expand barrier reduction programming funding
      5. Pillar 5: Support trusted community-based providers to serve the needs of those in deep poverty
         1. Create integrated network of providers
         2. Advocate for COLA increase for frontline human service workers
         3. Support IDHS to assess state contracts and identify gaps
            • Mr. Rodriguez asked members to share in the chat any other areas of focus that need to be addressed as the work to eradicate poverty continues beyond 2024. He also shared some concepts from the book "Poverty, by America" written by Matthew Desmond:
              1. Raise minimum wage - advocating Congress to raise the minimum wage
              2. Housing choice - advocate for deeper investments in public housing
              3. Fair capital access - advocate for ways to curtail overdraft fees at banks
            • Chair Wilson invited the group to the first annual Shriver Poverty Summit in January which coincides with the 16th anniversary of the declaration of war against poverty, the Martin Luther King holiday and the founding anniversary of the Shriver Center. Author Matthew Desmond will also be speaking during the event to talk about his book "Poverty, by America".
            • Other focus areas shared by members in the chat:
              1. Equitable access to high-quality public education - public education is often funded as a measure of property tax and is often correlated to economic development in a particular community. Thus, students often receive subpar education in certain communities with no adequate investments. (from Administrator Kelly)
              2. The need for funding for rental assistance targeted to those living in gentrified neighborhoods, tent cities at urban communities that are experiencing spatial de-concentration through displacement particularly native Chicagoans in Bronzeville, Pilsen, Humboldt Park and others - there is an intentional grab of housing and housing cost is so high causing mental health issues, substance abuse issues among elderlies in the tent cities. There is a need to provide support to house these individuals. (from Juan Calderon)
   2. Consider Federal WIC Advocacy Letter - there is an active threat of cutting the budget for the WIC (Women, Infant and Children) program in the federal level. Approximately 164, 000 mothers, infants and children in Illinois will be deeply impacted if this cut is made. The Illinois congressional delegation is in support of WIC but they need to lift their voices and be fierce advocates as they go to Washington DC. Ms. Kate Maehr and others would like to send a letter to the Illinois delegation with a strong message underscoring the importance of WIC and continuing its full budget, and the letter to come from both the Poverty Commission and the Commission to End Hunger.
      • Representative Keicher moved for a voice vote to approve the WIC advocacy letter as amended seconded by Pastor Jason McKinnies. The group unanimously approved the WIC advocacy letter.
      • Mr. Juan Calderon suggested adding the Farm Bill Act on the letter. However, Ms. Maehr said that the Farm Bill is different from WIC in the sense that the WIC letter is about budget appropriations and doesn't have to do with USDA. Instead, she suggested to discuss the Farm Bill in the future Poverty Commission meeting and how the Commission can bring it forward
   3. Subcommittee membership - Administrator Kelly reminded the group that Commission members were asked to be a part of at least one subcommittee, but the invitation is extended to their staff or any individuals they know who are particularly strong advocates of any of the subject areas. State employees are also invited to make sure state agencies are represented.
      • A follow up email to the Commission members will be sent that will contain the roster and total subcommittee membership. Commission members can suggest people who will be useful to the subject areas.
      • Administrator Kelly also reintroduced Mr. Rodriguez and Ni'Shele Jackson of IRRP who are helping the subcommittees in every step to achieve the FY24 actionable goals.
7. Presentation: State Level Migrant/Asylum Seeker Update - Emerson Wells
   • As of November 28, 2023, Illinois has received 530 buses with nearly 23,000 individuals seeking asylum and more than 3,330 arrived by plane.
     • To date, in partnership with IDHS, IHDA, City of Chicago, HSS providers, Catholic Charities and New Life, over 8,300 individuals have been resettled and 2,900 reunited with family/sponsors.
     • Chair Wilson asked where the $65 M budget is coming from and how is it allocated. Mr. Wells shared that it is coming from a variety of sources meant to serve and support immigrant communities within the IDHS budget. IDHS did not receive additional appropriation from the General Assembly.
     • Ms. Maehr shared that she is very proud of the public-private partnership that is happening in the state to address the asylum seeker matter. Administrator Kelly seconded.
8. Membership updates - Administrator Kelly 
   1. List of current active members - there are currently 14 members of what needs to be a 26-member Commission

      • 1.	Senator Kimberly Lightford
        2.	Senator Dale Fowler
        3.	Representative Jeff Keicher
        4.	Audra Wilson, President and CEO-Shriver Center on Poverty Law
        5.	Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO-Brave Space Alliances
        6.	Oriane E. "Annie" Hewitt
        7.	Dr. Mark Eichenlaub, Regional Superintendent of Schools, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education #50
        8.	Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO-Greater Chicago Food Depository
        9.	Juan Manuel Calderón, Chief Operating Officer,-The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
        10.	Pastor Jason McKinnies, Senior Pastor-Southern Illinois Worship Center
        11.	Al Llorens, President-Illinois Education Association
        12.	Pam Davidson, Knox County Board Chairwoman
        13.	Beth Menz, SEIU International
        14.	Jennifer Groce, Director of Community Promotion-Northern Illinois University

   2. Filling membership vacancies - members are appointed by specific leaders per the Intergenerational Poverty Act. IDHS and Commission members can make recommendations as to who should fill the positions but each position requires a specific type of experience. A few members have resigned recently and one has passed away. Numbers 5, 6, 8 and 9 are positions that are very close to be filled; candidates have been put forth to the appointing leaders for approvals but recommendations are still welcome. For the rest of the positions, recommendations are still needed and can be sent to Administrator Kelly.

      • 	Member	Appointed by
        1	Representative of an organization that advocates for older adults	Minority Leader of the House
        2	Member of General Assembly	Speaker of the House
        3	Member of the Judiciary	Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
        4	Additional Judicial member	Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
        5	Representative of an organization that advocates for children and youth	Governor
        6	Representative of an anti-poverty organization focusing on rural poverty (Co-Chair)	Minority Leader of the House
        7	Representative of an organization that advocates for health care access, affordability and availability	Minority Leader of the House
        8	Representative of an organization that advocates for persons with mental illness	President of the Senate
        9	Representative of an organization that advocates for military veterans	Minority Leader of the Senate
        10	Representative of an organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities	Speaker of the House
        11	Representative of municipal corporation governments in this State	Speaker of the House
        12	Representative of an organization that advocates for individuals who are homeless	President of the Senate

   3. Discussion of membership mission and expectations
      • The Commission is only required to meet annually but they have been meeting 2-3 times a year with special meetings conducted for passage of certain items such as the Strategic Plan and FY24 actionable goals. Moving forward, the standard cadence would likely continue to twice a year.
      • The flexibility to do virtual meetings during the pandemic will be ending and under the Open Meetings Act, the Commission will have to start meeting in-person. The Commission will have to consider reaching quorum among voting members in resolving the OMA requirement. One possibility is to convene in an area close to where several members live along with a certain number of other members to make core meeting.
      • Ms. Maehr suggested to make the meeting "intentional" that members can have a rich experience other than the meeting. She cited a visit to Cairo would be an example and meet people who are part of the innovative response around food deserts and food access. The story they can see on the ground can provide insights to opportunities on how to meaningfully reduce poverty in Illinois. Chair Wilson supports the idea.
      • Senator Fowler agreed and stated he would love to host a visit from the Commission members for them to see all the housing initiatives that Senator is leading. Mr. Al Llorens also supports the "intentional" meeting as these stories can be shared meaningfully to their colleagues.
      • Pastor McKinnies shared that there is a direct flight from Chicago to Marion, IL which is a few minutes away from his office which is half an hour away from Cairo. He can pick up members from the Marion airport and travel with them to Cairo.
      • As for the roles of the members, it is not strictly outlined in the Poverty Act aside from the passing of the strategies that's been already done. However, as Administrator Kelly has set things up, there are 5 subcommittees that are doing the work and bring items to the Commission for approval. Other than that, Administrator Kelly asked members for suggestions on how to best use the Commission as a platform and what kind of activities they can engage in to be able to move things forward given all the structural limitations.
9. 2024 Regional Convening Planning - Administrator Kelly
   • Continuing to meet with constituents on a regional basis is one of the commitments of the Commission as outlined in the strategies.
   • Two regional convenings were done for 2023, one in Cairo with the help of Senator Fowler and the other in E St. Louis with the help of Dr. Eichenlaub. 
   • Members can discuss the next area for 2024 to do a listening session in the coming meetings.
10. Next Steps
    • Meeting cadence of the Commission will continue and subcommittee activities will likewise continue.
    • Members are encouraged to continue providing Commission member recommendations as well as subcommittee member recommendations. Recommendations can be sent to both Administrator Kelly and Priya at Priya.Khatkhate@illinois.gov.
    • Administrator Kelly and Sophie Milam from the GCFD will finalize the WIC letter and then send it out. Deputy Governor Hou has already received a copy of the letter and has flagged it for the DC office. In terms of joint endorsement, members of the Hunger Commission are supposed to provide their feedback by the end of the day.
    • Proposed next meeting: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - 1:30-3:00 PM
11. Adjournment - Rep. Keicher motioned to adjourn seconded by Ms. Maehr. The group unanimously agreed to adjourn at 4:31 PM.