The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

See what's open and closed on Lincoln's Birthday, Presidents Day Take a look at what is open and what's closed around Springfield on Lincoln's Birthday and Presidents Day.

Happy Friday from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. We hope everyone has had a good week. In observance of Presidents Day, our offices will be closed on February. Story from State Journal Register about closures. www.sj-r.com/story/news/l...

Medicaid and Upcoming State Budget Debates | KFF This brief describes current state fiscal conditions as states begin fiscal year 2027 budget debates and highlights key areas to watch for Medicaid policy changes as states respond to fiscal challenges and the 2025 reconciliation law.

Slowing revenue growth, growing spending demands, and federal Medicaid cuts are all contributing to tighter state budgets.

Here’s what it all could mean for state budget debates and Medicaid policy this year: https://on.kff.org/45rYOND

FIRE THROUGH DRY GRASS

Here is a link to the website of a documentary called "Fire Through Dry Grass." The documentary follows "a group of Black and brown disabled artists fight Covid and the city to protect the lives of 500 vulnerable nursing home residents." Link to Website: www.firethroughdrygrass.com

From The Arc of Illinois: Nominate Your Hidden Hero at the 76th Annual Convention Awards Reception!

Take a few minutes to submit a nomination and join us in honoring these unsung heroes at our 76th Annual Convention.

Deadline: 2/27/2026.

Nomination Link: www.thearcofil.org/wp-content/u...

a flyer promoting a virtual webinar. The flyer includes images of three people. Two of the people with images are people who will lead the webinar. The flyer includes the title of the webinar, a decription of the webinar, the date and time of the webinar, and a registration link. The image also includes logos of the sponsoring organizations. The Webinar is February 10, 2026 at 12 p.m. Here is the registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9hPIQzJCRF2_k_k2z5J2rw#/registration

Lunchtime Webinar from The Arc of Illinois: Legislative Advocacy 101

Feb 10, 2026 12 PM

The second session on the 2026 election year will focus on how to "Speak Up and Speak Out" by submitting witness slips and communicating with legislators.

Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Today, we honor Rosa Parks – whose quiet courage helped changed our nation. During #BlackHistoryMonth, we reflect on her legacy and how everyday people move justice forward by choosing dignity and fairness.

At IDHR, we carry that spirit forward on by protecting civil rights for all Illinoisans.

Honoring Black Disabled Trailblazers This Black History Month This Black History Month, we celebrate an essential truth: fighting for disability rights and fighting against racism go hand in hand.

This is from the Website of the Utah Parent Center "Honoring Black Disabled Trailblazers This Black History Month" utahparentcenter.org/black-histor... #BlackHistoryMonth2026 #UtahParentCenter

This image is a logo for the project. The project logo includes a text description of the webinar title and it includes four individual organization and project logos.

Thriving in Families of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Part of the TAP/IDHD/LEND Webinar Series. Strive to Thrive is a project about what helps people with IDD and their families do well.

When: 2/24/26 from 12pm to 1pm
Register: uic.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

New program offers volunteer opportunities for SNAP recipients amid new requirements Meals on Wheels Chicago is making it easy for adults to volunteer and meet the requirements to be eligible for SNAP benefits.

From ABC 7 Chicago: "New program offers volunteer opportunities for SNAP recipients amid new requirements"

abc7chicago.com/post/new-sna...

Shared from the account of Illinois Governor Pritzker: Happy Black History Month

Changes to SNAP Work Requirements begin in February. Here is a message from December from the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities about the Family Caregiver Exemption. (Scroll down to find the information about the Exemption): www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?it...

Legislative Advocacy Series Part 3: Looking Up Your Legislator and Current Legislation - The Arc of Illinois 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

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: www.thearcofil.org/event/legisl...

Here is registration link for the Knowledge is Power Session on January 28 at 230 p.m. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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.

(2 of 3) Channel Five Story: “New SNAP eligibility rules take effect Feb. 1. Here's the major change” www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/n...

(1 of 3) 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.

The next Knowledge is Power Session is this Wednesday, January 28 from 2:30 pm to 4 pm Sessions cover the impact of Federal Policy on Illinois. This session will include SNAP, the Federal Budget and attacks on Mental Health. Registration is Required. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

2026 Legislative Advocacy Webinar Series - The Arc of Illinois Weekly Virtual Series 10:00 - 11:00 AM Presented by: Voter Education and Registration: January 20, 2026 Click here to register. Informed Citizenship:

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: www.thearcofil.org/2026-legisla...

The next Knowledge is Power Session is 1/28/2026 at 2:30 pm

Knowledge is Power is collaboration between Access Living and the ICDD.

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

More information and registration here: icdd.illinois.gov/events/2026/...

2026 Legislative Advocacy Webinar Series - The Arc of Illinois Weekly Virtual Series 10:00 - 11:00 AM Presented by: Voter Education and Registration: January 20, 2026 Click here to register. Informed Citizenship:

Register for the Legislative Advocacy Webinar Series

Starting January 20 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 . . . effective advocacy.

Register here: www.thearcofil.org/2026-legisla...

The 2024 National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Report. This report offers "comprehensive data on Direct Support Professional workforce providing direct services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities." Find the report here: idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/wp-content/u...

ABLE eligibility expands January 1, 2026! Is Your Corporate Disability Employee Resource Group Ready? If the company you work for has a disability business or employee resource group, members should know about the coming ABLE eligibility e…

ABLE Accounts help eligible people with disabilities save money for expenses. Previously, eligibility was limited to individuals who acquired a disability before age 26. Starting on January 1, 2026, the eligibility age changed to 46 years old. Learn more: illinoisaccessable.com/2025/11/20/a...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: ILS & F2F: Voting for People with Disabilities, REV UP Illinois and Going Home Coalition. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joi... 2026 is an election year in Illinois. This webinar is the first in a mini-series of voting and election preparation. People with Disabilities have the right to vote and this webinar will help explain...

Illinois Life Span & Family-to-Family Health Information Center Webinar

"Voting for People with Disabilities"

1/13/26 at 12:00 PM

This webinar is the first in a mini-series of voting and election preparation.

Spanish Captioning Available.

Register at this link: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

From National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities: An Advocate's Toolkit for Broad Medicaid Exemption Implementation

January 14th at 4 pm ET

Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Experts will share a new toolkit to help states put in safeguards to prevent coverage loss.

Work Requirements for SNAP Are Changing. Here’s What to Know in Illinois Many Chicagoans impacted by the new rules live in divested neighborhoods already suffering from a lack of access to nutritious food.

Here is a story from WTTW Public Television from late November of 2025. The story is about changes to the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program. The changes include stricter work requirements. The changes go into effect on February 1, 2026. news.wttw.com/2025/11/26/w... #SNAP #WTTW

Arc of Illinois System Redesign Listening Session Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Address: Illinois Assistive Technology Program 701 N. Walnut St. Springfield, IL 62702

The Arc of Illinois is hosting a series of listening sessions.

Arc of Illinois System Redesign Listening Session
Thursday, January 15, 2026
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
701 N Walnut St
Springfield, IL

Register at this link:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Join REV UP Illinois for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on January 7, 2026 from 6 pm to 7 pm. “Join REV UP Illinois to help shape advocacy efforts and empower voters with disabilities across Illinois. New and prospective members are welcome to join!”
Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

A silver and blue hued image that says Happy New Year 2026 with streamers, hats, and disco globes in the background.

Happy Year New from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. We wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year and we look forward to working with the community in 2026!

Black-and-white winter scene showing a snowy village, evergreen trees, a stone bridge, and a lantern under a full moon

Happy Holidays from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. We wish you a joyous and safe holiday season and New Year.

The IDD System Redesign Coalition will host feedback sessions on Dignity in Pay. The sessions seek input on how Dignity in Pay affects families and how to support community employment. There will be three sessions. The first is 1/14/26 at 4 pm Register at this link: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Family Caregiver Exemption for SNAP Federal Work Requirements. The 12-19-2025 Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities Communication has information about a Family Caregiver Exemption for SNAP Work Requirements. They start 2/1/26
Here is a link: www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?it...