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The overtime policy is designed to achieve two goals, to improve
services to our most vulnerable while reducing costs to taxpayers,
ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program. Evidence shows
that the policy has driven great progress toward both goals.
For example:
- The number of individuals providing services to our most
vulnerable have increased from about 32,000 to more than 35,000.
- The amount of money paid in overtime has decreased each
month. From January until May of 2016 the amount of overtime
payments has been cut nearly in half.
- It has increased much-needed community capacity for the Home
Services Program, which enables those in need to continue to
receive necessary services at home instead of being
institutionalized.
- The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has decided
to go through the rule-making process under the Administrative
Procedure Act following a recent court decision directing the
successful overtime policy be implemented by rule rather than
policy.
On July 21, 2016, Kane County Circuit Court entered a
temporary restraining order barring the enforcement of the
overtime policy until it has gone through the rule-making
process.
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While DHS respectfully disagrees with the Court, DHS will abide by the order and
looks forward to the rule-making process where we will have the opportunity to
show the positive benefits of the policy and work with all parties involved. The
rule-making process allows the Department to hear from all parties before
issuing the final rule.
IDHS believes the final rule will closely track the policy as it was originally
announced. IDHS would like to thank those customers and providers who have
worked hard to follow the overtime policy. IDHS strongly encourages all
providers and customers to take the necessary steps now to hire enough providers
to avoid unnecessary overtime so they will be prepared when the final rule goes
into effect. IDHS employees are happy to help our customers find and hire
additional providers.
[Marianne Manko, Director of
Communications, IDHS]
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