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Dear Fellow Advocates,
As March arrives, The Arc of Illinois is excited to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This year's theme, "Stronger Through Advocacy," really highlights the essence of our shared journey and the importance of standing together for what matters.
Since President Reagan first established this observance in 1987, we've witnessed remarkable progress. Yet our mission remains clear: ensuring that every person with developmental disabilities can author their own life story with dignity, respect, and full community participation.
The power of our advocacy continues to grow! We're thrilled to announce new partnerships and collaborations with Headstart, Nurolux, and Connect to Community. These collaborations strengthen our collective voice and expand our reach throughout Illinois.
What makes our advocacy truly impactful? It's YOU! Every time you share your personal story, amplify our message on social media, or invite friends and family to join The Arc of Illinois, you're breaking down barriers and building understanding. These seemingly simple actions create ripples of change throughout our communities. And WOW has your power been felt.
The Arc of the United States has shared some updates on our strength:
Record Social Media Engagement: Our Medicaid advocacy campaign reached over 185,000 individuals online, generating nearly 4,000 direct advocacy actions - breaking all previous records!
Expanding Webinar Audience: The recent "Calling All Advocates" webinar has been viewed by more than 3,700 people between live attendance and recording views - showing growing interest in our mission.
Unprecedented Congressional Outreach: In February alone, our community generated an extraordinary 90,000+ messages to Congress - demonstrating the true power of collective advocacy!
This month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the diverse talents, dreams, and achievements of people with developmental disabilities across our state. Whether it's autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or learning disabilities, these conditions are part of the rich tapestry of human experience.
Thank you for being part of our growing family at The Arc of Illinois. Your commitment to advocacy doesn't just make us stronger - it transforms lives and communities. Thank you for all that you do!
Truly, Samantha Alloway Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
Wear Your Advocacy!
The Arc of Illinois is excited to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with our “Advocates Unite” apparel, and we’d love for you to be part of it! Shop now at the link below, snap a selfie, and share it on social media, telling us what inclusion means to you. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #DDAwareness2025 #AdvocatesUnite #TheArcofIllinois
Our very own Suzanne Aaron, Information & Outreach Specialist at The Arc of Illinois, shares a deeply personal story about her son and the significant impact that Medicaid has had on their lives now that he is eligible for the program.
Suzanne’s story highlights how this crucial program provides far-reaching benefits, offering more than just coverage, but a foundation for a brighter, more independent future.
Medicaid provides support for so many families, but we know every story is different. That’s why we want to hear your story. Share how Medicaid has made a difference for you and help us spread the word.
Your Story, Their Future: Advocate for Educational Supports
Meet Abby. Educational services and supports are crucial for her son's success, helping him thrive in school and participate in public education. As discussions about changes to federal education funding continue, the future of our communities is at stake.
We want to hear your IEP/504 stories! Share your experiences, and we'll amplify them through social media, newsletters, and directly to lawmakers. Together, we can call on them to protect education and stand up for those we serve
We’re excited to host our 75th Annual Convention this spring! The theme is "Celebrating 75 Years of Brilliance: Honoring Our Legacy & Embracing Our Future." This year, we celebrate everything we've accomplished together, while looking forward with renewed excitement, determination, and a strong commitment to driving positive change.
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, click here.
We’re also offering a track of breakout sessions in Spanish.
During the Annual Convention, The Arc of Illinois hosts an Art Exhibit and Contest. This year, the Annual Convention will be hybrid with both virtual and in-person attendees.
The Art Exhibit will be displayed:
Virtually on the Annual Convention microsite, Tuesday, April 15 through Wednesday, April 23, 2025
In-person at the Marriott, Bloomington, Tuesday, April 22 through Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Artists must submit a picture of their artwork for the virtual exhibit. Artists are welcome to have their work displayed at the Convention, if able, but is not a requirement to participate in the contest.
Click on the button below for the complete contest rules and information and to complete the submission form.
We are excited to welcome Veronica Salazar to The Arc of Illinois Family Advocate Program!
With over 26 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Veronica is passionate about advocacy and family support. Her bilingual skills will be essential in enhancing our outreach and communication, particularly for those selected from PUNS.
In addition to her professional expertise, Veronica is an active community member, volunteering at Immaculate Conception-St. Michael Church. She is a devoted wife, mother of two young adults, and a proud grandmother.
We are confident that Veronica will make a valuable impact on our mission to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Please join us in welcoming her to The Arc of Illinois!
Thank you to The Chicago Tribune writer, Olivia Olander, for her Story
Olivia Olander's story discussed the barriers to timely transitions from State institutions to community settings. For article story, clickhere.
Meeting Summary: Going Home Coalition Medicaid Advocacy (02/20/25)
Overview: Going Home Coalition’s (GHC) meeting on February 20, 2025, focused on the urgent need to advocate toprotect Medicaid and to support HB3853 (Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act), a bill currently introduced into legislation. The session, featuring 11 speakers, addressed legislative threats, advocacy strategies, andshared powerful profound personal stories. GHC’s latest meetingrepresents a milestone of record collaboration, registration, and attendance.
Click here to fill out the Going Home Coalition Member Directory form to be added to Going Home Coalition contact list.
**Please be sure to put in your address so we ramp up targeted legislative advocacy.**New tools will facilitate connecting you to your legislators.
Going Home Coalition participants are committed to advocacy,engagement, & legislative action.
These actions have already begun!
On February 26, 2025, Going Home Coalition and The Arc of Illinois organized a meeting with constituents to meet with United States Congresswoman Mary Miller’s (D15) legislative staff. A dozen people shared how cuts to Medicaid would negativelyimpacttheir loved ones.
Erin, Diane, and Greg Compton participated in a Town Hall with United States Congressman Sean Casten (D6), and Amie Lulinski met with their office earlier in the month. Other participants are calling their legislators too! Your Advocacy Matters!
Upcoming advocacy meetings are planned with Representatives Bost (D12) and LaHood (D16). Please reach out to sebastian@thearcofillinois.orgto participate in a virtual meeting with their offices, or if you need support to schedule an in-person meeting with them.
Representatives Miller, Bost, and LaHood voted in favor of budget cuts to Medicaid, emphasizing the need for increased advocacy.
Let us know how you’ve been advocating!!!
We appreciate hearing from you.
5calls.org is an app which looks up your legislators, gives you their phone numbers, and provides a script on many issues of importance.
Click here to identify how many constituents use Medicaid supports in your district.
GHC’s meeting reinforced its collaborative essence and grassroots impact, with attendees actively supporting each other throughout the meeting with shared resources and answers to participants’ questions.
Going Home Coalition’s next steps includecontinuing advocacy efforts for Medicaid through meetings, letters, and calls. Reach out to susan@thearcofil.orgforadditional presentations and further Medicaid education.
HB3853, The Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act Bill is looking for individual and organizational sign-ons. The Arc of Illinois and Going Home Coalition are supporting HB3853.
We are thrilled and grateful to have been awarded a 2025 REV UP grant to continue the important mission to register, educate, and empower the disability vote!
We must advocate and Oppose The SAVE Act (H.R. 22 / S.128)
This Bill is extremely harmful and is a vehicle for widespreadvoter suppression!
The following information comes from 5calls.org,which is extremely easy to use and 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 than21.3 million Americanslack immediate access to documentary proof of citizenship.
Citizens of color are three 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.
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