LIFE Center for Independent Living

04/21/2026

Bloomington Normal Audiology offers free hearing screenings in both Bloomington and Pontiac.

Their Purpose: We desire people to always hear the most important sounds of their lives.

Their Vision: Create an environment where people embrace hearing technology, not shy away from it.

Their Brand: We take a genuine, personal interest in each patient.

Learn more about who they are and how they could help: https://www.bnaudiology.com/

We thank Bloomington Normal Audiology for being an Alley-Oop Sponsor for our upcoming Wheelchair Basketball event!

Audiologists and hearing aid providers in Bloomington IL. Call (309) 662-8346 today to learn more about your hearing health services.

04/21/2026

Do you or someone you know have severe vision loss that regular eyeglasses cannot fully correct?

LIFE CIL offers programs designed to help individuals with vision loss maintain independence and improve daily living.

We currently offer two programs, based on age, that may provide low vision aids and talking devices at no cost. We can also assist with independent living skills training and peer mentoring for individuals with vision loss.

🔹 Age 55 or older: Services and products may be covered through a grant from the Bureau of Blind Services via the Illinois Department of Human Services.

🔹 Under age 55: Services and products may be available through the Patricia Tolan Cox Bequest.

If you would like to learn more or schedule a meeting with Tiena, our Vision Access Advocate, please call 309-663-5433 or email tiena@lifecil.org.

image is a photo of an older woman and a younger man with vision loss use assistive technology devices at a table, demonstrating tools that support reading, communication, and independent living.

04/20/2026

LIFE CIL Personal Assistant (PA) Program

LIFE CIL assists individuals with disabilities in hiring, training, and managing Personal Assistants (PAs) to help with daily tasks so they can live independently in their own homes.

We are always accepting new applications for our Personal Assistant (PA) Referral List.

If you are willing to work for individuals with disabilities live independently, please consider becoming a PA.

How do I become a Personal Assistant (PA)?
If you want to work as a Personal Assistant and be added to our referral list, you must complete an application and attend an orientation.

How to apply:
Applications can be completed online through our website or come to the office for a physical copy.

Application online: https://www.lifecil.org/personal-assistant-application/

2201 Eastland Drive, Suite 1, Bloomington, IL 61704
216 N. Main Street, Pontiac, IL 61764

If you would like more information on:
*How to hire your own Personal Assistant (PA)
*Finding a PA to work for you
* Learning how to manage your PA

Contact Melissa, she would be happy to help you with your PA needs!

Melissa can be reached at 815-844-1132 or melissa@lifecil.org.

Personal Assitant Application Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

04/20/2026

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our sponsors for supporting this year’s Wheelchair Basketball event. Their generosity and commitment have played an important role in making this event possible, and we encourage everyone to support the businesses and organizations that have so generously supported us.

Our Alley-Oop Sponsors
*Bloomington Normal Audiology
*CEFCU
*CIRBN
*Millan Petro Organization - McDonald's

Our Jump Shot Sponsors
*Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic
*Tee Jay Central
*Aches Away Massage Specialists

We are truly grateful for your support and contributions, and we thank you for helping make this event a success.

image is LIFE CIL's Wheelchair Basketball logo with royal blue background and orange lettering

04/17/2026

LIFE CIL will be participating in Party in the Park tomorrow, Saturday, April 18 at Chautauqua Park in Pontiac.

The event is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 12 noon

Go enjoy Party in the Park and then go to Heart & Soul Thrift afterward to support LIFE CIL while you are in town!

We are a little over two weeks from Party in the Park for Prevention and we can't wait to party with you all. We have lots of fun planned for everyone thanks to some of our amazing partners that have already RSVP'd. Comfort Cookin’ will be there as well cooking some yummy food.
Child & Family Connections 16 county.rosc
Livingston County Commission on Children and Youth
Livingston County Mental Health Board
OSF Saint James - John W. Albrecht Medical Center

Pontiac Firefighters Local #3239
Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County
U of I Extension-Livingston, McLean, Woodford Counties
Livingston Workforce Services
LIFE Center for Independent Living
Safe Journeys/ADV & SAS
Humiston Woods Nature Center

04/17/2026

TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!

Help us spread the word about this exciting event!

Saturday, May 2, 2026 - Wheelchair Basketball

This year's event will be at Eastview Church located at 1500 Airport Road in Normal, Illinois.

Members of the University of Illinois Wheelchair Basketball Teams will play an exhibition game against a team of United States Veterans, representing LIFE CIL.

Doors open and activities begin at 9 a.m. Game starts at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $5 each and will be sold at the door. Free admission for children ages 5 and under.

In addition to the game, there will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and a prize raffle.

All proceeds from this event benefit LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) and provide two scholarships to the University of Illinois Youth Wheelchair Sports Camps.

For more information, contact Brianne at 309/663-5433 or brianne@lifecil.org.
Visit our website: www.lifecil.org and check us out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifecil

image is the flyer with the above information.
The flyer does have the U of I Wheelchair Basketball logo, the LIFE CIL Wheelchair Basketball logo, and a United States flag with the branches of military and it says "United States Veterans" under the flag. There is also a photo from a past Wheelchair Basketball event that is showing the crowd cheering. LIFE CIL's logo and the logo for Eastivew Church are towards the bottom of the flyer.

04/17/2026

Thank you to Heart & Soul Thrift for allowing us to be the non-profit this week!

Make a trip and go check it out. They are open tomorrow, Saturday, April 18 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

04/16/2026

In case you didn't know -

LIFE CIL offers a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Loan Program, providing FREE loans for up to 90 days to help you stay independent and safe at home.

Available equipment includes:
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs
• Canes
• Crutches
• Commodes
• Raised toilet seats
• Shower seats
And more!

Equipment is available on a first come, first served basis.

We can only reserve items for same day pick up.

Have questions or need equipment?

Call us at our Bloomington office: 309-663-5433.
or
Call us at our Pontiac office: 815-844-1132.

image shows a photo with two rows of equipment, starting at the top left - wheelchair, wheeled walker, seated walker; bottom row: quad canes, shower chair, and commode.

Please note: LIFE CIL does have commode buckets and splashguards for your convenience, but we do charge our cost for those items - $9.00 per bucket and $7.00 per splashguard. LIFE CIL can accept cash or check only.

04/15/2026

Today is National American Sign Language (ASL) Day!

April 15, 1817 was when the American School for the Deaf was founded and this day reminds us of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and understanding for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals.

To learn more about sign language interpreters in Illinois, you can visit our website with information from the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission's information provided: https://www.lifecil.org/how-to-hire-a-sign-language-interpreter/

LIFE CIL will provide sign language interpreters to our consumers upon request at no cost to them.

How to hire a sign language interpreter A sign language interpreter must be registered and certified in Illinois to accept any interpreting assignment. The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) control the rules and regulations for sign language interpreters. It is important to know w...

04/15/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came out and supported LIFE CIL at Pizza Ranch a week ago! Thanks to the work of Megan, Mare, John and Tom, LIFE CIL received a little over $355! We appreciate the opportunity, Pizza Ranch, thank you!

A great night with Life CIL.

04/08/2026

Check out the latest news from LIFE CIL and see what's coming up -

Monday, April 13 is our Pizza Ranch Fundraiser

Monday, April 20 we are hosting the McLean County Alliance for Community Services meeting

Saturday, May 2 Wheelchair Basketball returns! Don't miss all the news about this!

Email from LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) You don't want to miss this! Here's What Everyone's Talking About Stay informed about what's going on with LIFE CIL Support LIFE CIL - April F

04/06/2026

One week from today!

LIFE CIL is having a fundraiser at Pizza Ranch! Join us!
WHEN: Monday, April 13, 2026
TIME: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WHERE: Pizza Ranch in Bloomington
1211 Holiday Drive
_______________________________________________________________________
LIFE CIL volunteers will:
• Bus tables and clean dining area after customers for tips - 100% of tips go to LIFE CIL
• Sell Pizza Ranch Round-Up Cards during the event – 100% of card sales go to LIFE CIL
Tell them you are there to support LIFE CIL - a portion of sales go to LIFE CIL also!

image is the flyer with the above information. At the top of the flyer, centered, is Pizza Ranch's logo. At the bottom of the flyer on the left is LIFE CIL's logo, on the right is a photo of Pizza Ranch's pizza, breadsticks and dessert pizza. Under the images it says “Assisting Persons with Disabilities to Achieve and Maintain Independent Lives”
Bloomington: 309-663-5433
Pontiac: 815-844-1132
Website: www.lifecil.org