Minutes of the Elder Law Section Council
Friday, June 21, 2002
Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Presiding: Naomi Schuster
Present: Bill Cleaver, Marjan Staniec, Dan Moore, Lee Beneze, Dick Hart, Rhoda Davis Sweeney, Dan Hawkins, Ed Mitchell, Sue Dawson-Tibbits, Tom Giger, Connie Renzi, Chet June, Bill Feurer, Chuck LeFebvre, Larry Smith, Tina Coffey, Rex Brown, John Foltz, Stan Balbach, Karl Menninger, Lori Levin, and Marc Miller. Ed Stanula was also in attendance.
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chair Naomi Schuster at 9:30 a.m.
II. All in attendance introduced themselves. Immediate past, outgoing, departed, but hopefully not forgotten Chair, Bill Cleaver, was called to duty to take the minutes in place of the Secretary, Sharon Rudy.
III. Administrative Matters:
A. With the additional note that Mary Staniec, wife of Council Member Marjan Staniec, was in attendance at the April 13, 2002 meeting representing the Northwest Action Council, the minutes of the April 13, 2002 meeting at the Westin Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, were approved as printed upon motion made by Lee Beneze and seconded by John Foltz.
B. The Chair asked the members to contact Selina Thomas with any necessary corrections. Members in attendance gave some on-the-spot revisions, including the addition of Connie Renzi as co-editor of the newsletter, and it was hoped that a revised roster would be available for the next meeting.
IV. Newsletter: Connie Renzi passed out the proposed schedule for newsletter submittals, as well as a copy of the contributor guidelines.
V. Education: Susan Dawson-Tibbits stated that a proposal had been submitted to the CLE Committee to again present the program presented at the 2001 midyear meeting in a downstate location sometime this fall. More information is to follow. Following input from Naomi Schuster, the possibility of making a presentation focusing on problems particular to elderly women was to be explored. This or some other program is being considered for presentation in the spring, although other topics of interest were solicited. One such suggestion consisted of focusing on either a presentation or publication of material consisting of referral sources for lawyers for their elderly clients, particularly those without spouses. This would be more in the nature of a "how to" information source. Susan stated that she would work on possible half-day programs both in Chicago and downstate.
Newly-elected Second Vice-President, Bob Downs, entered the meeting and was welcomed by the Chair and the individuals in attendance. Bob briefly set out some of his aspirations for the coming year.
VI. Internet Liaison & Website Report: Naomi spoke briefly on the nature of this particular Section Council function, as well as other possible activities in which it could engage. John Foltz, Marc Miller and Tom Giger were identified as individuals who might participate in this area.
VII. Long-Range Planning: In John Erbes' absence, this topic was deferred to the next meeting.
VIII. Legislation: Dan Hawkins gave a few brief statements on the function of the committee he chairs, as well as how information in this area is disseminated among Section Council members. Naomi added some thoughts on the importance of maintaining communication with those committees and councils which might possibly overlap in areas of focus.
At this point, Bill Peithmann entered the meeting and, with the consent of the Chair, gave a few words on the Illinois Bar Foundation.
Dan continued his presentation by focusing on the amendments set out in Exhibits C, D and E. There was additional discussion on the amendment referred to in Exhibit E, particularly, with respect to the funeral expense exception. Tina Coffey and Bill Feurer were identified as individuals who would assist in this area.
There also followed discussion on the subject matter set out in Exhibits, F, G and J. Upon motion made by Chet June and seconded by Tina Coffey, and following full discussion thereon, it was determined that the Section Council would formally take no action with respect to legislation program proposal No. 93-8.
With regard to the proposed amendment to 305 ILCS 5/12-13, as set out on Exhibit J, upon motion made by Dan Hawkins and seconded by Chet June, and following full discussion thereon, the Council voted to oppose this legislation. Jamie Long and Chet June were identified to prepare a position paper which would be cleared through appropriate ISBA channels. It was noted that Lori Levin abstained in the voting on this matter.
IX. Publications and Media Relations: Lee Beneze brought all in attendance up to speed with respect to what had occurred relative to the Council's anticipated rewriting of "Set Your Sights on Senior Rights", particularly, with regard to the action which had already been taken by Prairie State in publishing its update of its earlier-published material in a significantly expanded and enlarged format. Lee pointed out that while he, the committee and the Council had been aware of Prairie State's interest in proceeding with its update, there had been no knowledge of the scope it would take.
Upon motion made by Chet June and seconded by Lori Levin, and a very full and frank discussion focusing on the amount of work already committed to the Section Council's project by various individuals, particularly by Lee Beneze, and the efforts made in the area of funding, particularly by Marjan Staniec, the Section Council voted to involve itself in a joint venture with Prairie State Legal Services in this area with Chet June, Jamie Long, Marjan Staniec and Larry Smith to serve as Council representatives.
X. Old Business: The Council voted to defer further action on old business.
XI. New Business: Naomi focused the Council's attention on the subject matter under new business, all of which was presented as printed and determined self-explanatory.
XII. Next Meeting: Following discussion of a possible meeting date, time and location for the Council's traditional fall meeting, it was determined that the Council would explore the possibility of a morning meeting on October 11 in Chicago, to be held in conjunction with the NAELA meeting.
XIII. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Cleaver, Interim, Temporary, Substitute and Occasional Secretary, Nunc Pro Tunc