Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Rockford

03/17/2026

🐣 Don’t miss this year’s Eggstra Special Egg Hunt! This inclusive event is designed for children with special needs, ages 3–15, and features accessible egg hunts, crafts, games, food, and fun in a calm, welcoming environment where every child can participate.

📅 Saturday, April 4 | 12–3 PM
📍 SM&SF CLUB Club Park, 7625 Kishwaukee Rd

Be sure to stop by and say hello—The Autism Program at Easterseals will have a resource table at the event, where families can learn more about services and supports available in the community.

Register by March 29! 🐰🥚

03/16/2026

We’re proud of the dedicated team in our Teen Family Support program, who show up every day to support young families with guidance, encouragement, and care. Stories like this remind us just how powerful that support can be. 🧡

03/16/2026

Due to anticipated severe weather in the area, the Easterseals Academy Machesney Park campus will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026.

03/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for an engaging and timely conversation on the future of integrated employment in Illinois.

We’re grateful to Social Responsibility Chicago for co-hosting this important discussion alongside Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Greater Rockford and HB Threads, and to My Impact House for generously hosting us in their space and creating such a welcoming environment for connection and learning.

A special thank-you to our incredible panelists for sharing their expertise and real-world insights:
Illinois State Rep Theresa Mah, co-sponsor of the Dignity in Pay Act
Brad Cohen, Director of Growth, AutonomyWorks
James Emmett, Founder & CEO, James Emmett & Company-WI
Carter Sanders, Associate, HB Threads, Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Greater Rockford

We also extend our sincere thanks to Carrie Shepherd, a Chicago Reporter for Axios for serving as our moderator and guiding a thoughtful and engaging conversation, and Sarah Rand for all of her partnership and support behind the scenes!

As Illinois prepares for the end of subminimum wages under the Dignity in Pay Act, this discussion highlighted what integrated workforces look like, why they matter, and how inclusive employment strengthens businesses, teams, and outcomes for everyone. Thank you for being part of this important moment, and for your commitment to building workplaces that are empowered and stronger because of neurodiversity.

03/09/2026

What a weekend with the Chicago Wolves! 🏒✨

This past weekend was full of unforgettable moments for the Easterseals community at the Chicago Wolves games.

On Saturday night, Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford Board Member Robert “Rocky” Nowaczyk, also a National Trustee for the National Fraternal Order of Police, was honored as a Hometown Hero, a well‑deserved recognition! Rocky has been a longtime supporter of our mission. His vision, leadership, and investment have enabled us to develop programs and models that impact thousands of individuals and families.

Then on Sunday night, the celebration continued as HB Threads associate Carter Sanders was also recognized as a Hometown Hero. Carter is a graduate of Easterseals Academy, our therapeutic day school for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to working at HB Threads, Carter is a Special Olympian and ComEd energy ambassador.

Finally, on Sunday night, John, one of the children in our Partnering with Parents program and a young hockey player, had the honor of dropping the puck.

Thank you to the Chicago Wolves for creating such meaningful, inclusive experiences and for making our Easterseals community feel right at home.

03/06/2026

At Easterseals, we believe every child deserves the joy of community traditions. That’s why we’re honored to support this year's Sensory-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt at Alpine Hills Adventure Park in Rockford!

🗓 Saturday, April 4
📍 Alpine Hills Adventure Park
🕚 11:00 AM – Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt for children with disabilities and special needs
🐰 Sensory-friendly meet & greet with the Easter Bunny
🥚 Over 250,000 eggs, plus games, prizes, and family fun throughout the day

This thoughtfully designed event creates a welcoming environment where children of all abilities can participate comfortably and confidently. We’re grateful to partner with so many community organizations to make inclusive moments like this possible.

Join us as we celebrate accessibility, inclusion, and egg hunting joy for all families.



Rockford Park District, Miracle Mile Rockford, City of Rockford Government, Screw City Jeeps 815, Cruz 24HR Towing, Don Carter Lanes, Bucciferro Family McDonald's, Go Rockford, Culver's, Alderman Franklin C. Beach - 10th Ward City of Rockford, A Mothers Love, TAP

03/06/2026

Celebrating the Heart of Our Mission! 💙🧡

Today is Employee Appreciation Day, and we are shouting it from the rooftops!

Our mission only moves forward because of the incredible people behind it. From our teachers,
paraprofessionals, and therapists to our doulas, parent educators, maintenance crews, and admin teams—and every vital role in between—your work is the foundation of everything we do.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to our entire staff for your unwavering dedication to expanding possibilities for people of all abilities across our communities.

Your passion is the engine of our impact. Because of you, we are building a world where everyone is 100% included and empowered. To every single team member: Your hard work doesn't just complete a task; it changes a life.

We are so proud to work alongside you!

Share the Love! 👇

Help us celebrate our amazing team! Drop a heart or a shout-out for a staff member who inspires you in the comments below!

03/05/2026

As Illinois moves toward ending subminimum wages under the Dignity in Pay Act, our social enterprise, HB Threads, was featured in Axios Chicago as a successful model of integrated employment for people with disabilities. HB Threads shows what’s possible when businesses invest in people with disabilities as valued, skilled employees.

🔗 Read the Axios feature:
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/03/illinois-dignity-in-pay-act-end-14c-waiver-disability-minimum-wage-2029

Illinois will phase out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities by 2029.

03/04/2026

✨ Are you looking for a quieter, more comfortable dining experience? ✨

Prairie Grass Cafe offers Sensory‑Friendly Dining Hours—a calm, welcoming option for guests of all ages and abilities who benefit from a lower‑sensory environment. During this time, diners can enjoy delicious food in a peaceful setting with limited guests and reduced stimulation, making it easier to relax and connect.

These hours are thoughtfully designed for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, sensory processing disorders, and other physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers.

📍 Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd�
Northbrook, IL 60062

📞 Reservations are required: (847) 205‑4433
🗓 Sensory‑Friendly Dining is available on Saturdays only.
�📅 Reservations must be made no later than the Wednesday prior to the Saturday requested.

Because everyone deserves a dining experience that feels inclusive, respectful, and comfortable.

03/03/2026

Calling all business leaders focused on economic empowerment and building stronger workforces!

Join us for Building Stronger Workforces Through Disability Inclusion, an in‑person panel discussion exploring how integrated employment can expand opportunity for people with disabilities while strengthening business performance.

📅 March 10, 2026 | 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 Impact House | 200 W. Madison St., Chicago

This conversation will explore:

What integrated workforces look like—and how they benefit employees with and without disabilities

Lessons from successful, scalable models that drive economic empowerment through employment

How employers can prepare for the end of subminimum wages in Illinois under the Dignity in Pay Act while remaining competitive

Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while learning from leaders and practitioners advancing integrated employment and economic opportunity.

👉 Register here:
https://www.eastersealschicago.org/events/building-stronger-workforces-through-disability-inclusion

Join us for an in-person panel discussion designed for business leaders navigating the future of inclusive employment.

03/02/2026

❄️💙 BRRRAVE & BOLD for a great cause! 💙❄️

We’re incredibly proud of the 17 participants from the Easterseals Academy Chicago campus who raised funds and participated in the Polar Plunge—all to support the Special Olympics Illinois!

By diving into icy waters, our team showed courage, teamwork, and a whole lot of heart, helping raise funds that support inclusion, opportunity, and athletic achievement for people with intellectual disabilities across Illinois.

Way to go, Polar Plungers! Your bravery is making waves—and making a difference. 🌊👏