AALC Newsletter - June 2021

June 4, 2021

A Message from the Executive Director

We recently completed our 2020 Annual Report and wanted to share it with you! Read it here!

In preparing the report, I was struck again by how amazing the Supportive Living Program is. What makes it such an exemplary model for our most vulnerable low-income seniors and persons with disabilities? You!

The SLP staff always go above and beyond to provide outstanding care and services to residents. Despite unprecedented challenges in 2020, the spirit of Supportive Living shined. Thank you for your creativity, flexibility, resilience, and compassion.

While you were working tirelessly to keep your communities safe, AALC was advocating for the Supportive Living industry.

Some of the highlights from 2020 include:

Bringing an additional $52 MILLION to SLP through relinking
Securing $36 million in COVID-19 relief funds
Protecting $1.2-1.5 million in SNAP benefits for 11,500 residents
Raising $200,000 to support AALC Advocacy efforts

While we are all happy to leave 2020 behind, I encourage you to always carry with you the spirit of Supportive Living!

Looking for Current COVID-19 Updates and Statistics?

To view the long-term care facility share of total COVID-19 cases by week, or find other current stats, click here.

Visit AALC's Website for Additional COVID-19 Resources

Legislative Update

AALC had a very productive and successful legislative session!! We accomplished all of our goals. The highlights for AALC and our Supportive Living industry include:

Securing language to allow for a $26 per day supplemental rate increase for 12-months as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) 10% FMAP boost. To read the SB2294 House Amendment 2, click here.

Receiving a portion of the $75 million in funds from the ARPA money dedicated to the LTC setting. To read SB2800 House Amendment 3, click here.

Achieving a legislative fix to clarify the Illinois Property Tax Code for purposes of valuing Supportive Living. To read SB2017 House Amendment 2, click here.

Nursing home rate reform stalled. Discussions surrounding the nursing home assessment and rate re-design will continue throughout the summer and the General Assembly undoubtedly will revisit the issue during the fall veto session. This gives us time to strengthen our advocacy efforts and continue to educate legislators on the importance of maintaining the Supportive Living Program's link to nursing home rates.

AALC Advocacy Efforts

Our recent success shows that investments in our advocacy efforts, namely through contributions to the AALC PAC, are key to achieving our desired outcomes.

With your help, we will build on our recent achievements! To learn how to make a contribution to the AALC PAC, visit our advocacy and government relations page by clicking here.

View Current SL Rates Effective April 1, 2021

AALC’s Life is a Journey - Our Communities

are Going Places!

We continue to be surprised by the creativity of our communities during "Life is a Journey." From travel to eating to crafts, our Supportive Living residents are seeing, and learning about the world in style! Be sure to post your activities on Facebook so we can brag about your journeys! Use #LifeisaJourney and #SpiritofSupportiveLiving hashtags, and be sure to tag @AALCIllinois!

Some recent travels include:

The residents of Heritage Woods of McHenry traveled to Poland in May, learning about the country’s history, and enjoying some grab n go snacks along the way.

Springfield Supportive Living residents are traveling the world and May was a visit to Mexico! The residents had fun cooking and even more fun eating...especially the Nachos!

Heritage Woods of Sterling traveled to Turkey to tour the country and taste some treats via Universal Yums!

Keep traveling and keep posting!

#LifeisaJourney