The Arc of Illinois advocates to increase investment in community-based supports and transform the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) service system by championing quality services, empowerment, and equality for all people with IDD, their families, and those who support them.
Each year, The Arc of Illinois surveys our membership to inform our public policy priorities which are developed by the Public Policy Committee. The Arc uses these priorities to guide our legislative advocacy which includes participation in advocacy meetings with members of the Illinois General Assembly and providing testimony to committees.
Everyone’s voice is needed to make meaningful change in Illinois. Join us!
Lawyer in private practice and governmental relations consultant. Lives in New Lenox with wife and adult sons. Graduate of University of Illinois-Chicago and DePaul College of Law. Spent over 20 years as a civil legal services attorney in Chicago and downstate.
Samantha M. Alloway is an accomplished and influential leader, known for her expertise in government relations, advocacy, and human services.
In her most recent role as Director of Government Relations for the Little City Foundation, Samantha demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. She led cross-functional teams and effectively aligned policy strategies and services to benefit the community. Samantha is also a member of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy, class of 2024. This prestigious membership highlights her commitment to personal and professional growth, and it positions her as a promising leader with a forward-thinking mindset for the state of Illinois.
Samantha has served as a CASA/GAL for Kane County, advocating for the rights of children in the foster care system. Additionally, she has worked as an advocacy coordinator and operations manager at Lazarus House, providing support to unhoused individuals. Samantha is also a certified Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault advocate through the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Academically, Samantha has excelled in her studies. She holds a certification in legal justice studies and achieved a remarkable 4.0 GPA, ranking in the top one percent of her class at Rasmussen University. Furthermore, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology from Northern Illinois University.
As a mother of three sons, Samantha encountered a pivotal moment when her middle child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three. This deeply personal experience has driven her to become a passionate advocate for disability rights. She has emerged as a highly effective and influential communicator, successfully engaging with families, participants, and legislators at both the federal and state levels. Her journey is a testament to resilience and triumph, having overcome cancer and becoming a lead canvasser for the American Cancer Society. This experience ignited her passion for advocacy and politics.
Born on the North side of Chicago and a lifelong resident of Illinois, Samantha has a deep connection to this state, and true passion and commitment to the I/DD community. Her unwavering belief in the power and possibility of change makes her an exceptional motivator. In this role, her mission is to revive determination and unity throughout our industry, while expanding The Arc’s mission across the state of Illinois!
