Fall 2024 Unprogram |
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Bloomingdale Golf Club - Bloomingdale, IL Register & pay by October 18 for a chance to win a gift from the IL NAELA Merch Store! |
Featuring a traditional UnProgram, the day will be comprised of two presentations and three breakout sessions led by teams of moderators. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided and a cocktail hour will be held at the end of the day. While breakout sessions may be moderated by IL NAELA members, the moderators will not present on the subject topics; rather, they will help facilitate discussion among the group. |
AGENDA | LOCATION/DIRECTIONS |
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Sip, Sip, Hooray! We are excited to announce that we will be holding a Cocktail Hour immediately following the UnProgram. The cocktail hour is included in registration for the UnProgram. If you are unable to attend the UnProgram, but want to attend the cocktail hour, you can register using the 'Cocktail Hour Only' registration link. | THANK YOU TO OUR COCKTAIL HOUR SPONSOR
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| Kathy Butcher has worked for the State of Illinois for the last 35 years. In 1989, Kathy began at the Secretary of in State many different areas, but most of her time was spent with the titling and licensing area. In early 2000, she moved over to Healthcare Family Services’ Bureau of Long-Term Care working with State payments and billing issues. Kathy became a caseworker for a few years until she started with the Office of Inspector General’s office in 2012. She started as an Executive 2 (supervisor) and in 2015 became manager of the LTC-ADI unit. |
| Steven Milburn works in the office of counsel to the Inspector General at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the State of Illinois. He received his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in May of 2013. Prior to that Steven received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in May of 2010. Prior to joining the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in February of 2018, Steven was employed in Office of General Counsel at the Department on Aging for 2 years. Prior to that he worked in private practice at a Springfield law firm. |
Due Process and Assistance Hearings Procedures Damita G. Buffington & Richard L. Madison This presentation will review how the Illinois Dept. of Human Services approaches the appeal process and provide best practices for representatives and advocates of benefit recipients and applicants. |
| Damita G. Buffington has served as the Bureau Chief of the Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Hearings, since December 2023. Damita started with the Bureau as an Administrative Law Judge in 2021, and later served as a Supervising Administrative Law Judge. As an Administrative Law Judge, Damita presided over long-term care appeals, and a variety other public assistance appeals. Prior to IDHS, Damita was a solo practitioner for 24 years, practicing in areas including estate planning and probate. Damita earned her BA from Drake University, JD from John Marshall/UIC School of Law, and MBA from Dominican University. Outside of her work with the Bureau, Damita is actively involved in her sorority, which provides services to support Chicago’s south side communities in the areas of economic strength, health and wellness, the arts, college readiness, college scholarship and mentoring. |
| Richard L. Madison has served as the Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Human Services for the past 8 years. Rich’s entire legal experience has been dedicated to public service and he has more than a decade of experience working in high-volume proceedings. His career began by representing indigent individuals in criminal court while volunteering as a law clerk for the Cook County Public Defender, and then in eviction court serving as a 711 student attorney for the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing. Rich then had the honor to serve as a law clerk to the late Judge Jean Prendergast Rooney, in Cook County Circuit Court's Chancery Division. Directly prior to working at IDHS, Rich served as an Administrative Law Judge with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Rich earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Rhode Island and earned his JD from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. When not serving the public, Rich enjoys spending time with his two kiddos (aged 10 and 13), or he might be caught playing a board game with friends. |
More details coming soon...
Register Now Register & pay by October 18 for a chance to win a gift from the IL NAELA Merch Store! |
