IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

04/24/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Here is a Facebook Post from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

In this post. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is recruiting people to submit videos under the title: The The Truth About Autism. The deadline to submit is April 30th.

04/22/2026

𝗜𝗗𝗗 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

Registration is open for the IDD System Redesign Coalition Statewide Summit

This statewide summit will bring together self-advocates, families, providers, and allies to learn about efforts to redesign Illinois’ IDD system.

Summit presenters will include information gathered through listening sessions and a survey.

The summit hosts ask attendees to “Come ready to share your story, connect with others, and help shape the future.”

Here are the details of the Summit:

𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠 - 𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
𝗨𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺
𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗪. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼, 𝗜𝗟 𝟲𝟬𝟲𝟬𝟳

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸:

04/20/2026

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Five-Year State Plan for 2027-2031 is now open for comment.

Every Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is required by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) to create a Five-Year State Plan. This plan helps guide how ICDD will use its resources, leadership, and systems change work to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families across Illinois over the next five years.

We are excited to share our 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan for public comment. Visit this link to view the plan and for more information. Website Link:

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is excited to share its 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan for public comment. Every Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is required by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) to create a Five-Year St...

04/17/2026

Here is a recent communication from the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities about Understanding PUNS. The updated PUNS Document from DDD includes information about

What is PUNS?
Who Should Enroll?
How to Enroll?
What to Expect After Enrollment?

Here is a link to the DDD Communication:

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is pleased to share that an updated version of Understanding PUNS (DHS 4313) is now available on the Division's website.

04/16/2026

On April 15, 2026, The Arc of Illinois, Access Living, and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities were in Springfield, Illinois for an Advocacy Day. As part of the Advocacy Day, teams of people with Developmental Disabilities, Family Members, and Allies broke into teams and met with Illinois legislators and legislative staff. Teams talked about the need to protect Home and Community-Services in Illinois. Home and Community-Based Services support the inclusion, participation and health of people with Developmental Disabilities. Here is a photo of the group in the Springfield Capitol Rotunda.

04/14/2026

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities is happy to present a new short video. This video stresses the importance of Home and Community-Based Services in Illinois.

Home and Community-Based Services are Medicaid programs that support the independence, inclusion, and participation of people with developmental disabilities and other marginalized populations.

Currently, Home and Community-Based services are under threat in states across the United States because of recent changes to Medicaid. These changes are expected to result in billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid.

Historically, when states face Medicaid shortfalls, Home and Community-Based Services are cut. Yet, Home and Community-Based Services are more cost efficient and have better outcomes for the disability community. That's why we are fighting to protect Home and Community-Based Services.

Here is a link to the video:

This is a short video (less than two minutes long) that emphasizes the importance of Home and Community-Based Services in Illinois for people with disabiliti...

04/13/2026

On April 15, the TAP / IDHD / LEND Webinar Series presents Intersectionality of Culture & Autism and Neurodiversity

Here is Information:

TITLE of Webinar: Intersectionality of Culture & Autism and Neurodiversity

Date and Time of Webinar: April 15, 2026: 12-1pm CT

Summary of Webinar:

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. In honor of this month, autistic researcher-advocate Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon, Jr. will highlight examples of how autism and neurodiversity intersect with cultural and racial identities, and the importance of multicultural representation of neurodivergence.

Webinar Speaker:

Timotheus (T.J.) Gordon, Jr., MFA, MS, Research Associate II - Co-Founder of Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, UIC Institute on Disability & Human Development

Here is a registration link:
https://uic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JAHPHWI6QdydH0oLFoLR8Q #/registration

04/12/2026

Here is a news release that announces a new site with information about Medicaid and the changes that will come to Medicaid as a result of the Federal Reconciliation Bill: HR 1: "Get Medicaid Facts: New Site and Toolkit Launched to Educate Public About Looming Medicaid Eligibility Changes"

An estimated 400,000 individuals in Illinois could lose their health coverage due to federal Medicaid cuts that start in October 2026. Cook County

04/09/2026

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. In recognition of the month, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is hosting a Statewide Continuing Education Workshop on Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month.

The event is virtual and will be hosted over zoom. The event is Friday, April 17, from 12 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
The free webinar will provide an overview of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

Here is a link to register and with more information: https://vbpd.virginia.gov/event/celebrating-autism-acceptance-month/

Join VBPD Friday, April 17, from 12 to 2 p.m. for a Statewide Continuing Education Workshop on Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month.

04/07/2026

Here is an article from Capitol News Illinois published on March 31, 2026. The article is titled: Bill targets zoning laws that block homes for adults with disabilities. The article is about a new bill designed to protect against discriminatory local zoning rules. Here is a link:

Illinois lawmakers are pushing a bill to stop local zoning rules from blocking housing for adults with disabilities.

04/06/2026

Today, April 6, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities was in River Forest, Illinois at the local library talking about ICDD history and activities, and leading a discussion about key issues impacting the Developmental Disabilities community. This presentation was part of the library's "Coffee Monday" programming.

04/02/2026

A week ago Monday, March 23, 2026, was the 16th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. In recognition of the Anniversary, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted an event to bring attention to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. ICDD hosted the event in its role as a coalition member of Protect Our Care Illinois. Citizen Action was the lead organizer of the Springfield event and five other events around Illinois. Here is news coverage of the event from The Illinois Times:

The federal budget’s sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including additional work requirements and shifting age bracket qualifications, could lead to nearly 20% of Illinois SNAP recipients – as many as 340,000 people – losing benefits in the coming months, accor...