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Dear Fellow Advocates,
Embracing Autism Acceptance Month
April holds deep meaning for me - not only as the Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois but also as a mother of three amazing children, Ellis, Jax, and Emmett. Autism Acceptance Month is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of autistic individuals, including Ellis, whose authenticity, resilience, and joy inspire me every day.
When Ellis was first diagnosed, I had the same questions many parents do. Over time, those concerns transformed into a profound appreciation. Autism isn’t something Ellis simply lives with - it’s an essential part of who he is, a perspective that enriches our family and the world.
At The Arc of Illinois, we believe inclusion must go beyond awareness. With 1 in 36 children now identified as autistic, neurodiversity strengthens our communities, yet barriers persist in education, employment, healthcare, and community life. The shift from “Autism Awareness” to “Autism Acceptance” in 2021 reflected a long-overdue understanding: autistic individuals don’t just need recognition; they deserve respect, inclusion, and support.
In Illinois, we’re turning these principles into action - partnering with schools to foster inclusive classrooms, connecting autistic job seekers with employers who value neurodiversity, and advocating for policies that honor autonomy and choice. We also recognize the importance of language and respect the preferences of those who embrace identity-first language, understanding that autism is an integral part of their identity.
This month, I invite you to take meaningful action in support of our mission. Here are some impactful ways you can help:
Make a donationto The Arc of Illinois to ensure we can continue breaking down barriers and creating inclusive opportunities.
Volunteer with us to experience firsthand the power of inclusion in action.
Amplify autistic voices on social media by using the hashtags #AutismAcceptanceMonth, #AutismAdvocate, #AutismSupport, #AutismStrong, #CelebrateDifferences, and #Neurodiversity and sharing stories of strength and resilience.
Listen and learn from autistic individuals - they are the true experts on their own experiences, and their voices are essential in guiding this movement.
Ellis reminds me every day that when we create spaces where everyone is valued for who they truly are, our entire community thrives. Thank you for being part of this important journey with us.
Truly, Samantha Alloway Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
Katy Neas, the CEO of The Arc of United States, will be joining us as the Plenary Session Speaker!
We are thrilled to have Katy Neas join us virtually at our Annual Convention. During her session, Katy will share her invaluable insights on the challenges and opportunities within the disability community. We are looking forward to the opportunity to hear from such an influential leader!
The convention will take place on April 22-23, 2025 at the Marriott in Bloomington-Normal, with both in-person and remote options available.
For all the details on the convention, click here.
To view the full brochure and register by mail, clickhere.
We’re also offering a track of breakout sessions in Spanish.
We are offering respite during the 75th Annual Convention!
The Respite Services are provided by Every Step of the Way Resource Center and will care for individuals (ages 13-59) with intellectual disabilities, so you can attend sessions without worry.
Registration is Required!
Contact us at info@thearcofil.orgto register.
Your Advocacy Matters!
Governor Pritzker and Going Home Coalition's John Porter and Carole Rosen spoke at Care Can’t Wait’s Protect Medicaid Event on March 21st.
“I guarantee we all know somebody, or lots of people, that are on Medicaid” - Governor JB Pritzker
Caring Across Generation’s Ai-jen Poo emceed the event.
Storytellers included:
Jessica Bolmer, who shared her personal experience as a home care aide for seniors and as a Medicaid recipient herself
Antonia Cotton, a home childcare provider and retired SEIU member who relies on Medicare and Medicaid for her own care.
John Porter, a self-advocate andMentor in The Family Transition Project.
Carole Rosen shared her experiences as a mother caring for her child with developmental disabilities.
Liz Montes, a frontline worker from EP!C who provides essential services for people with developmental disabilities.
Special thanks to EP!C Executive Director Kim Cornwell for hosting us, and Care Can't Wait Illinois, SEIU Healthcare IL, Access Living, and Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans.
Click herefor a replay link of the press conference.
Fill Out This Form and Let IDHS Know What You Need!
IDHS DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STRATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY
Thank you for filling out the following very brief survey to help IDHS-DDD determine the priorities for the next five-year strategic plan. Your feedback will be pulled together along with issues and topics raised from future webinars, focus groups, and previous strategic plans to inform virtual meetings that IDHS-DDD will be holding in March and April that will feed into the FY26-FY30 IDHS-DDD Strategic Plan.
Click here to complete survey. You can contact DHS.DDDComments@illinois.govif you need help completing this survey or have any additional questions.
Bill HB 2474 has now been signed into law!!! The passage of this bill shows the power of collaboration and commitment on behalf of groups such as the Humanize Long Term Care Campaign, Access Living, and others.
This bill was championed by Going Home Coalition as part of its legislative priorities for the Governor’s Round Table and part of Coalition members, April Mcclees, John Porter, and Hector Renta’s advocacy in Springfield meeting with legislators during last year’s veto session.
Click here to check out the TV news story with Senator Lakesia Collins and click here for the story from Champaign-Urbana.
After 2 and a half years of intense grassroots organizing and coalition-building, led by people with disabilities, one of the "Humanize Long Term Care" agenda items has been signed into law in Illinois!
This new policy:
expands and clarifies the rights of nursing facility residents to advocate for themselves and others
adds explicit right to civil action if there is retaliation
mandates new training program for all facility employees
Witness Slip Opportunity
Please take a minute to file a witness slip on this bill.
It is time sensitive!
Act Now: Protect Illinois Students – Oppose Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1!
Click here to file a witness slip as an OPPONENT online ASAP.
Students are at risk.
Illinois lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1—a bill that would roll back critical protections and allow schools to use dangerous and inhumane restraint and seclusion practices that cause emotional trauma, physical injury, and even death.
Investigative reporting by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublicaexposed widespread abuse of physical restraint and seclusion (called “time out”) in Illinois schools. In response, a 2021 law required schools to take action to reduce their heavy reliance on restraint and seclusion over time. But a shocking 2023 report from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) revealed that the problem has only gotten worse. ISBE’s own data shows:
Restraint and seclusion incidents increased, not decreased.
Young children (grades K-3), students of color, and students with disabilities—especially those with autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disabilities—are most affected.
The use of supine restraint (forcing a child face-up on the ground), one of the most dangerous forms of restraint, has risen significantly.
Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1 rolls back the protections that do exist for students. The bill would:
Allow students to be secluded in locked rooms again.
Rewrite definitions of physical restraint and time out to hide how often these practices are used.
Limit investigations into complaints and remove options for parents to resolve disputes when students are harmed by these practices.
Lower training requirements for school staff—even as dangerous incidents continue to rise.
Not only is this bill a step in the wrong direction, but it is unnecessary and backed by organizations that represent school systems that opposed the law passed in 2021. The problems that Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1 claims to fix have already been addressed in clarification issued by ISBE. See here.This bill attempts to dramatically reduce the number of incidents reported by narrowly redefining what constitutes restraint and seclusion. This puts students at risk of harm.
Take Action NOW! The Senate Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1 on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Tell legislators you are against this bill by submitting an electronic witness slip as an OPPONENT before the hearing.
Click hereto file a witness slip online. It only takes a few minutes.
For questions, contact Cheryl Jansen, Public Policy Director, Equip for Equality, at cherylj2@equipforequality.orgor 217-303-8543.
On March 31st, REV UP Illinois members Da Wen Mei, Maria Rodriguez, Curtis Harris, and Carole Rosen, REV UP’s Alexia Kemerling and others spoke with ACLU about the SAVE Act and recently signed Executive Order and how they endanger voting accessibility and are statutorily and constitutionally illegal.Click hereto read this article and advocate!
Please contact us and share your ideas on how REV UP Illinois will continue its important mission to register, educate, and empower the disability vote! Please email carole@thearcofil.org or sebastian@thearcofil.org if you have events planned or would like to present at a REV UP Illinois meeting!
Advocate and Oppose The SAVE Act (H.R. 22 / S.128)
This Bill is extremely harmful and is a vehicle for widespreadvoter suppression!
The House is scheduled to vote on HR 22 this week!
The following information comes from 5calls.org.This platform is extremely easy to use, available online, and as an Android or Apple app.
Republicans in Congress have introduced the extreme anti-voter Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22/S.128) and declared it among their top priorities. This bill would hinder millions of eligible Americans from registering to vote by requiring citizens to present a birth certificate or passport in person to register. This impacts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may not have these documents and are unable to register or vote in person.
Millions of Americans would be impacted by this harmful legislation.
More than 21.3 million Americans lack immediate access to documentary proof of citizenship.
Citizens of color arethree times more likelythan white citizens to lack documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization certificates, or certificates of citizenship.
An in-person registration requirement would prevent military members serving abroad from easily registering to vote.
Despite unfounded claims to the contrary, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The SAVE Act is designed to block eligible people from voting, not to protect elections. Demand your representatives oppose the SAVE Act and protect voting rights for all.
5calls.org will help you to easily identify who are your legislators to call on this issue and their phone numbers. It will even give you a script to use when you make your calls.
ILGA.gov’slegislative lookup tool is another resource you may want to explore.
Connect to Communityis a nonprofit dedicated to helping adults with developmental disabilities lead purposeful, inclusive, and connected lives. Through support and community collaboration, they empower individuals and families to access meaningful opportunities and thrive. Founded in 2013 and led byShawna Pearson, they serve the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and surrounding areas.
Programs and Services
Connect to Community offers a variety of programs, including: ✅ Customized Employment – A person-centered job placement program that matches individuals with paid positions suited to their strengths, interests, and support needs. ✅ CTC Creations – A paid microbusiness program where individuals create and sell handmade products, gaining entrepreneurship and workplace skills. ✅ Social & Educational Opportunities – Monthly social events, volunteer activities, transition tours, and educational seminars that promote inclusion, learning, and advocacy.
Their Customized Employment program partners with employers to create meaningful job opportunities that help individuals gain confidence, develop skills, and achieve long-term success.
Through CTC Creations, participants can explore their creativity, build skills, and earn income by selling their handmade products at local events and markets.
To foster social connection and community engagement, Connect to Community hosts free or low-cost social eventswhere individuals can build friendships in a safe and welcoming environment.
They also provide educational resources to help individuals and families navigate adult services, understand available programs, and stay informed about policies that affect their lives.
At its core, Connect to Community is about fostering inclusion, building connections, and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive.
We are excited to introduce you to our newest Southern Illinois Family Advocate, Jerin Olson!
Jerin will be joining The Arc Family Advocate program on April 1, 2025. As a mother of four, including a child with disabilities, she has firsthand experience navigating the complexities of special education, healthcare, and community resources. These personal experiences have ignited her passion for advocacy and inclusion, driving her to support other families facing similar challenges.
Professionally, her background includes roles in childcare, family and community engagement in special education, and public service as a Village Trustee. In these capacities, she has worked to create nurturing environments for all children and has collaborated with families, educators, and community leaders to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to essential services. Her commitment lies in fostering equitable opportunities and building a more inclusive future for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Beyond her professional expertise, Jerin is deeply committed to her community, this will strengthen The Arc of Illinois’ ability to reach more remote areas and provide supports to families who have suffered a lack of access to resources in the southern area of Illinois.
Please join us in welcoming her!
Volunteers Wanted!
Whether you’re giving your time, sharing your skills, or simply lending a hand, YOU can have a meaningful impact on our community!
Interested in getting involved? Start by completing the Volunteer Application Form!
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