Springfield Advocacy Mission 2016 participants with Gov. Rauner.

Fifty leaders from the Jewish community traveled to Springfield on May 4-5 on the annual Springfield Advocacy Mission.

Representatives from JUF, Jewish Child and Family Services, CJE SeniorLife, Keshet and Sinai Health System spent two days talking with state lawmakers about the impact of the declining investment in human services, the budget crisis and the transition to Medicaid Managed care on JUF funded agencies.

The governor, the house speaker, the senate president, Republican leadership, and more than 30 legislators from both parties met with and listened closely to the group, led by JUF Government Affairs Committee Chair David Golder and State Vice Chair Steve Greenbaum.

“There is a great power in bringing a strong team together with a consistent powerful voice,” Steve Greenbaum said.

During the mission’s opening luncheon, Gov. Rauner’s Chief Operating Officer Linda Lingle, who earlier in her career was the first Jewish Republican governor of Hawaii, spoke about the multi-departmental initiatives she is leading to transform how health care, human services, corrections and public health services are provided. She was followed by Felicia Norwood, director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, who spoke about the transition to Medicaid Managed care.

Afterward, participants divided into four lobbying groups, each with an experienced Springfield insider, and descended on the Capitol for meetings with legislators.

That evening, participants hosted Jewish caucus members State Sens. Daniel Biss, Julie Morrison and Ira Silverstein, and State Reps. Scott Drury, Sara Feigenholtz, Laura Fine, Robyn Gabel, Will Guzzardi, Lou Lang, and Elaine Nekritz in five separate dinner groups.

“Having a private dinner with Rep. Lang meant that we had a chance to have an in-depth conversation with him in a casual setting,” said Andrea Yablon, chair of JUF’s Planning and Allocations Committee. “Rep. Lang was very candid about the current challenges and potential opportunities.”

“Our meetings in Springfield reinforced our relationship with state government, including the recognition of the critical services that we provide for vulnerable and under-served populations,” Golder said. “Legislators, who have been long-time partners are frustrated and understand the stress that the current financial crisis has put on our system. They shared their commitment to working towards a long term solution. Our conversations served as a reminder of the challenges ahead.”