Dear Fellow Advocates, 

I hope you're having an excellent week! Our organization is growing and evolving, thanks to the incredible collaboration with stakeholders across the state. Your voice and membership are invaluable to us, and I am excited about the possibilities we can achieve together.

I have personally met with Tonya Piephoff, the Director of Developmental Disabilities for the state, and her Chief of Staff, Meg Cooch. Our discussions were fruitful, and I am excited about the opportunities for partnership and progress that lie ahead. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of engaging with trade agencies and families who are seeking support and guidance in their journey to find the best services for their loved ones.  

At The Arc of Illinois, our focus remains on ensuring that everyone has a place to turn to, whether in times of need or simply to share their stories. We strive to be the agency that connects individuals with the services they truly require. To further this mission, I am delighted to announce that we will be hosting a Townhall meeting in August. I encourage all of you, including those with differing perspectives, to join us! It is through the diversity of voices that we can create a unified message that truly represents our collective mission. 

I want to express my gratitude for the overwhelming response I received to our last update. Your feedback and input have been invaluable. In fact, I have already scheduled multiple meetings with families and facilities to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and explore how The Arc can collaborate with them. In August, I will be embarking on a tour of four different facilities, eager to learn more about the incredible work they do. I am excited to welcome these agencies into our network, and I am equally thrilled to extend an invitation to your organization! Let's connect and find a time that works for both of us. 

Remember, each of you has the power to bring about change. Your voice matters, and it is through your collective efforts that we can make a difference. Together, let us continue to advocate for a brighter future. We’re ready! Let’s go! 

Warm Regards, 
Samantha Alloway                                                                                   ,
Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois

If interested in participating with The Arc of Illinois or SUSO, please contact Becca Schroeder at Becca@thearcofil.org or 815.464.1832 ext 1018.

On July 8^th, Jill Goldstein, Carole Rosen, Phil Milsk, and Samantha Alloway from Going Home Coalition and The Arc of Illinois, and Laura Miller from Equip for Equality met with Mike Cotter and Dominik Bronakowski from Representative Bob Morgan’s (D58) office to discuss the importance of the Ligas Consent Decree to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the recent motion for its dismissal by the state of Illinois.

On Thursday, July 18^th, from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm CDT, join Carole Rosen as she discusses Going Home Coalition during this national webinar.

ACL’s Grassroots Project was launched in 2023 to support national, state, and local disability advocates in building networks to stay informed about the policies that affect people with disabilities and to work together to ensure their perspectives, priorities and preferences are reflected in disability policies and service systems.

CART/ASL, streamed Spanish and English captioning will be provided.

On Tuesday, July 23rd at 4:00 pm, please join Going Home Coalition for a virtual meeting on Permanent Supportive Housing. Special thanks to Kim Zoeller, President and CEO of Ray Graham Association and Arc of Illinois board member; Ron Clewer, Illinois Market President of Gorman & Company Developers, and Donielle Deering, parent stakeholder and mother to an adult daughter with autism. They will be presenting on the ongoing processes of creating a permanent supportive housing project in Naperville.

CART/ASL, streamed Spanish and English captioning will be provided.

Please email admin@thearcofil.org to be added to Going Home Coalition's email list. If you are currently a Going Home Coalition participant, you will be receiving the Zoom link.

Click here for Speaker bios.

On Wednesday, July 24th at 1:30 pm, there is an advocacy opportunity during the Ligas Consent Decree hearing. 

While public comment is not allowed, the hearing is open to the public.

Location: Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman’s Courtroom
Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604

On Monday, August 5^th at 4:00 pm, Going Home Coalition welcomes ICDD Director Kim Mercer-Schleider, Jeff Stauter of Kreider Services, Vincent Smith, and Curtis Harris for a conversation on permanent supportive housing, the State Referral Network, and advocating to obtain housing and accessible housing accommodations.

Please email admin@thearcofil.org to join Going Home Coalition’s email list to receive Zoom links to our upcoming meetings.

Do you have feedback for Going Home Coalition or a possible meeting topic of interest to our participants? Please email admin@thearcofil.org.

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