Honoring Our Veterans This Veterans Day

The Arc of Illinois honors all who have served our country. We are grateful for their courage, sacrifice, and dedication.

In observance of Veterans Day, our office will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and will reopen Thursday, November 12, 2026.

To all our veterans, thank you for your service!

Looking Ahead to the Next Five Years

Pictured: The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors and staff at the strategic planning session

Hello Fellow Advocates,

This past weekend, our Board of Directors and team came together for two days of strategic planning as we began shaping the next five years of The Arc of Illinois, 2027–2031. It was an opportunity to reflect on where we are, listen to different perspectives, and, most importantly, talk about where we want to go next.

The timing of this work is important. Families across Illinois are navigating changes to Medicaid, transitions from institutional settings into community living, and ongoing challenges finding the services and supports they need. Through our listening tour this year, we heard a consistent message: families want to be heard, they want reliable information, and they want to know they are not alone. We have an important responsibility to make sure The Arc of Illinois is ready to meet these needs, today and in the years ahead.

Three priorities emerged from our conversations:

PROTECT. Protect the rights, services and opportunities that allow people with disabilities to live full lives in their communities. This means strong advocacy, meaningful partnerships, and ensuring self-advocates and families have a voice in the decisions that affect them.

BUILD. Build stronger communities through education, information, programs and partnerships, while creating sustainable opportunities to reach more families across Illinois.

STRENGTHEN. Strengthen our team, programs and organizational foundation so we can continue growing and serving families throughout our state.

I am incredibly grateful to Board President Kimberly L. Johnson, Co-President Vincent Smith, our entire Board of Directors and our dedicated team for bringing their ideas, experience and commitment to this important work. These conversations reminded me of what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose.

This is just the beginning. Over the coming month, we will continue developing our priorities, setting measurable goals, and building a plan that will guide our work through 2031. I cannot wait to share this with all of you!

I left the weekend feeling encouraged and hopeful. The Arc of Illinois has a strong history, but our best work is still ahead of us. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we will continue building a stronger Illinois for people with disabilities and the families who love and support them.

With Gratitude, 

Samantha M. Alloway
Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois

The Arc of the United States Joins National Organizations in Calling for Medicaid Protections and Disability Rights

 

The Arc of the United States, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Center for Public Representation, the National Health Law Program, and VOR have come together to issue a joint statement calling for the reversal of Medicaid cuts and reaffirming the rights of people with disabilities to choose the services and supports that best meet their needs throughout their lives.

These organizations came together because of a common belief that NOW we must speak with one voice to demand the reversal of the historic cuts to Medicaid and to support the rights of people with disabilities to be able to choose the options that best suit them throughout the course of their lives.

Click here or the button below to read the joint statement.

The Arc of Illinois Joins Community Conversation with AoD Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Johnson

Pictured: The Arc of Illinois Board President, Kimberly L. Johnson, Co-President, Vincent Smith, and Executive Director, Samantha Alloway along with Dr. Jennifer Johnson and other participants

On November 4, The Arc of Illinois took part in a Community Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Deputy Commissioner of the federal Administration on Disabilities (AoD), hosted by our state's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

Dr. Johnson came to hear directly from people with disabilities, families, and community partners about what's working, what isn't, and practical ideas for moving forward. The conversation included how technology and AI could help improve disability services.

The Arc of Illinois shared how much our work with families across all 102 counties depends on our UCEDD partners. Their research, data, and training help us guide families through a complicated system, and good data helps make sure resources go where people actually need them. We also raised concerns about the upcoming Medicaid and SNAP changes, as well as assistive technology and customized employment concerns. 

We were grateful to have The Arc of Illinois represented by our President, Kimberly Johnson, our Co-President, Vincent Smith, and our Executive Director, Samantha Alloway. We were proud to be in the room with an incredible community, including the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, Access Living, and many other great community partners.

Thank you to our UCEDD partners for the invitation and to Dr. Johnson for taking the time to listen.

The Arc of Illinois at NASDDDS Conference in Chicago

Pictured: Mary Sowers, Executive Director of NASDDDS, and Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois.

Last week, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) held its Directors Forum and Annual Conference here in Chicago, November 2–5 at the Marriott Marquis. Our Executive Director, Samantha Alloway, was glad to attend.

NASDDDS brings state developmental disability leaders together every year with federal partners, subject-matter experts, and others who work on these systems. The Directors Forum on the first day is the only gathering in the country set aside for state IDD directors to share what they are learning with each other. This year the conversations focused on technology and innovation, as well as the policy, workforce, and service delivery issues states are facing right now.

The sessions covered accountability that supports people's autonomy and choice, building systems for people with complex support needs, workforce and technology, and how states finance home and community-based services.

With the conference in Chicago this year, Illinois had a strong presence. Samantha joined Mary Sowers, Executive Director of NASDDDS; Director Tonya Piephoff of the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities; Beth Owens of our partners at the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF); Gabrielle Sedor and Lydia Dawson from ANCOR, Meg Cooch; Joy Decker; Lauren Schero; Dr. Jennifer Gentile, and many other representatives from the Division and partner organizations across the state.

It was wonderful to look at what is happening across the nation and to think about how Illinois can keep moving forward, in collaboration with our partners at the Division and beyond. We are grateful to NASDDDS for bringing this conversation to Chicago.

Your Story. Our Movement.

Real stories inspire real change. Share your story to help break down barriers and create a more inclusive world.

The Arc of Illinois is collecting stories from self-advocates, families, caregivers, professionals and community members across Illinois. Your story may be featured as part of our We Are The Arc social media campaign.

CALLING ALL SPEAKERS!

The Arc of Illinois 77th Annual Convention

April 15–16, 2027 | Marriott in Naperville | Hybrid Event

This year’s theme, “From Our Community, For Our Community,” celebrates the people, voices, and shared efforts that make us stronger.

Share your experience and inspire others! We’re also seeking proposals for a Hometown Heroes track, honoring local individuals making a difference in their communities.

Click here or the button below for the proposal. Submit your completed form to Kim@thearcofil.org by December 11, 2026!

Congratulations to Rocio Perez and Ruth Aguilar on Their Well-Deserved Recognition!

Pictured: Rocio Perez (left) and Ruth Aguilar (right) receiving their awards from the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago

We're proud to share that Rocio Perez, Director of the Illinois Life Span Program, and Ruth Aguilar, Senior Family Advocate, were recently recognized by the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago during its 26th Binational Health Week celebration!

Both were honored for their efforts to build connections, strengthen communities, and support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

Please join us in congratulating Rocio and Ruth!

En Español

El pasado viernes 30 de octubre de 2026, el Consulado de México en Chicago celebró la conclusión de su XXVI Semana Binacional de Salud. La organización The Arc of Illinois ha colaborado con el programa Ventanilla de Salud del Consulado. En el marco de esta iniciativa, Ruth Aguilar, defensora principal de familias del programa Family Advocate, y Rocío Pérez, directora del programa IL Life Span, ofrecieron información sobre los servicios y programas disponibles para la comunidad de personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (IDD, por sus siglas en inglés). Ruth y Rocío recibieron un reconocimiento por su labor a la hora de establecer vínculos, fortalecer comunidades y generar un impacto positivo.

The Arc of Illinois Featured Event

There's Still Time to Secure Your Spot

Amanda Atkins-Griffin is Back - and There's So Much More!

November 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Virtual Conference | Click here for the brochure.

Join us for the IDD & Mental Health Summit, a full day of information and resources focused on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their mental health!

Last week, we shared the exciting news that Amanda Atkins-Griffith, MS, is returning! A guest at our Family Support Group last year, Amanda is a clinical director, licensed therapist, author, speaker, and parent advocate. At the IDD & Mental Health Summit, she'll tackle a topic so many caregivers can relate to: caregiver burnout!

And there's so much more! Explore sessions on mental health crisis supports, trauma-informed care, youth mental health and IDD, and recognizing anxiety in people with IDD. Click here for the full agenda and speaker bios!

Ready to Register?

• Register Online: Click here or the button below.
• Download the Brochure with Registration Form: Click here.