Illinois Association of the Deaf President Corey Axelrod and Vice President Kevin Ryan sent a follow-up letter today to Governor Bruce Rauner regarding the concerns with the IDHHC.
In the two letters submitted, they addressed the following issues with the IDHHC:
- Consistent failures to satisfy the 8 mandates in 20 ILCS 3932, titled the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act.
- IDHHC’s inactivity conflicts with the Governor’s Reform Agenda and can contribute to a burden being placed on taxpayers.
- IDHHC Director and Assistant Director do not have the appropriate collegiate credentials required for their respective positions.
- IDHHC not educating the Governor’s Office on how to ensure complete accessibility (e.g., correct use of interpreters and use of captions on live feeds).
- Cronyism at IDHHC – one example is the IDHHC Commissioners proposing to implement safeguards in the bylaws to protect Director Miller, amendments that contradict with the law and administrative code.
- IDHHC Commissioners attempting to redefine the IDHHC’s scope of responsibilities.
- The Commissioners who are more vocal and raise concerns regarding the IDHHC’s shortcomings are being quickly replaced.
