IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

02/04/2026

Sharing from the page of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Illinois recognizes Black History Month.

02/03/2026

Here is information about an webinar later in February that is part of the TAP / IDHD / LEND Webinar Series

Date: February 24, 2026 from 12-1pm CT

TITLE: Thriving in Families of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Summary:

Strive to Thrive is a research project about what helps people with IDD and their families do well. We’re asking what helps families move from surviving to thriving. We’re using different types of research to answer this question, and this presentation will cover the first type of research, called an “environmental scan.” An environmental scan means taking a careful look at what other researchers have already learned. We searched research papers using keywords that were important to this project. After careful review of these papers and qualitative analysis, we found families have some unique barriers to thriving (things that make it harder for them to thrive). They also have some facilitators to thriving (things that help them to thrive). We will present on these findings, and give implications for research, policy, and practice.

Speakers:

Svetlana Mitric, Research Assistant
Family Support Research & Training Center (FSRTC)
UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development

Abby Schindler, PHD, Visiting Research Specialist/Coordinator Family Support Research & Training Center (FSRTC)
UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development

Here is a link to register: https://uic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wXSj6-DUQhmdnloZFCedEQ #/registration

02/02/2026

This is shared from the page of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. This is an audio and visual guide to Councils on Developmental Disabilities across the United States. There are Councils in every state and also in US Territories.

01/30/2026

This is a message that was originally posted on December 19 of 2025.

Changes to the Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will begin in February. The post from December includes a message about the Family Caregiver Exemption for Work Requirements that are a part of the SNAP changes.

Here is the original message from December and a link to the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities Website:

“This Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Communication from December 19, 2025 includes information about a Family Caregiver Exemption for SNAP Federal Work Requirements, which go into effect February 1, 2025.”

“The communication says ‘Caregivers are required to contact the IDHS (the Illinois Department of Human Services) via the local Family and Community Resource Center to report their status.’”

Here is a link to the DDD Communication (Scroll down to find the information about the Family Caregiver Exemption):

When policy is being written, prior to being published, the Draft Information Bulletin (Draft IB) is shared for public comments and feedback. Review the current Draft IBs by visiting DDD Draft Information Bulletins and submit comments on open drafts to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.

01/29/2026

The 2026 Going Home Coalition Legislative Advocacy Series continues on Monday, February 2 at 10 a.m. The third session in the Legislative series will be "Looking Up Your Legislator and Current Legislation." Register for this session at this link:

Join us for the third part of our Legislative Advocacy Series to learn how to look up your legislator and hear more about legislation being introduced in

01/27/2026

Here is a story from NBC Channel 5 in Chicago. This story is about changes to SNAP Requirements. The changes go into effect on February 1.

Tomorrow, the Knowledge is Power Session will feature a SNAP presentation from the Illinois Department of Human Services. See the comments for a registration link.

Channel Five Story: “New SNAP eligibility rules take effect Feb. 1. Here's the major change”

Beginning Feb. 1, some SNAP recipients will be required to work or volunteer a minimum of 80 hours per month.

01/26/2026

The next Knowledge is Power Session is this Wednesday, January 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Knowledge is Power Sessions provide information about the impact of Federal policy on Illinois. This session will cover SNAP, the Federal Budget and attacks on Mental Health. Registration is Required. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ni4O3JQKRjOQHRjhJU-LsA #/registration

01/22/2026

This Monday, January 26, The Going Home Coalition will host Session 2 of Legislation in Action, an 8-Part Legislative Advocacy Series. The January 26 session features a presentation on Informed Citizenship from Chris Ramos of Access Living. Register Here:

Weekly Virtual Series 10:00 - 11:00 AM Presented by: Voter Education and Registration: January 20, 2026 Click here to register. Informed Citizenship:

01/20/2026

The next Knowledge is Power Session is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Knowledge is Power is collaboration between Access Living and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Knowledge is Power Sessions provide information about the impact of Federal policy on Illinois.

Registration is Required. Follow this link for more information:

01/16/2026

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is thrilled to announce the addition of LaKeeya Funches to the ICDD Staff. Ms. Funches (Pictured in this post) is joining ICDD as the new Finance and Operations Manager. She will work out of the Springfield, Illinois ICDD Office.

Originally from Chicago, Ms. Funches now lives in Decatur, Illinois and is pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration from Millikin University. Passionate about community engagement, she uses her financial background to support community initiatives and to strengthen local organizations.

ICDD is delighted that Ms. Funches brings her experience, expertise and passion to ICDD, where she joins a state agency dedicated to leading change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.
Please welcome LaKeeya Funches to the ICDD Team.

01/15/2026

From The Arc of Illinois:

Register for the Legislative Advocacy Webinar Series

The first webinar on "Voter Education & Registration" is 20, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Join The Arc of Illinois for an engaging 8-week series designed to build your knowledge, confidence, and practical skills for informed citizenship and effective advocacy.

Each session will focus on a key topic to help participants better understand the civic process, engage with legislators, and use their voices in meaningful ways.

Weekly Virtual Series 10:00 - 11:00 AM Presented by: Voter Education and Registration: January 20, 2026 Click here to register. Informed Citizenship:

01/14/2026

2024 National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Report

The 2024 National Core Indicators 2024 State of the Workforce Report provides "comprehensive data on Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce providing direct services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)."

This report "collected data from 3,936 provider agencies representing 344,179 DSPs in 26 states and the District of Columbia. The data for 2024 suggest some positive trends for the state of the IDD DSP workforce."

Find the Report here: