The Arc of Illinois has long been a steadfast advocate for the needs and opportunities of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Foremost among that advocacy has been the importance of community belonging, integration and person-centered choice.

We have been fortunate to have a fearless and tireless Executive Director in Tony Paulauski, who has guided this organization with wisdom, diplomacy and strength of character for twenty-five years.  When Tony recently announced his plans to retire at the end of 2016, many of us were grateful for his service and the opportunity to mindfully seek a new leader who can continue to guide the Arc’s mission in a way that will be meaningful and powerful for families and people with I/DD. We owe that to Tony. We owe that to the Arc of Illinois. We owe that to you.

As President of the board for the Arc of Illinois, it was my job to appoint a Search Committee.  I want to assure you that the individuals I chose were people who understand the mission and importance of the Arc to advocate for families like mine.  It is the imperative of the Search Committee to identify candidates who are passionate about advocacy, understand the needs of people with I/DD and their families, and who will hold fast to the mission and stand strong when compromise might be easy, but not just.

We appreciate the significance of this process and the importance that it has to the future of YOUR Arc.  Expect to see the official posting for the position within the next ten days.  For additional information, contact ArcExecutiveSearch@gmail.com

The Search Committee members include:

Terri Devine, Chair:  Terri is the President of The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors and the parent of a young man with Down syndrome.

Brian Rubin:  Brian is Immediate Past President of The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors; he is an attorney specializing in special needs estate planning and the parent of an adult son who is on the autism spectrum.

Nancy Webster: Nancy is the Immediate Past President of The Arc of the United States, and a past president of The Arc of Illinois. Nancy is the sibling of an adult sister with I/DD.

Sheila Romano: Sheila is the former Executive Director for the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and a lifetime advocate for the rights of individuals with I/DD. She is a champion of the Arc and its mission.

Bob Okazaki: Bob is the Executive Director of Avenues to Independence, a service provider based in Park Ridge. He is also a member of the Arc of Illinois Board of Directors and past president of the Executive Forum.

Bob Peterson: Bob is a member of the Arc of Illinois Board of Directors; he is a self advocate who is passionate about the rights of individuals with I/DD to have personal choice and to be valued and empowered in representing themselves.

Steve Boisse: Steve is the Executive Director of DayOne/PACT, two service providers that recently merged and are based in Lisle. He is the incoming President of the  Executive Forum and serves on the Arc of Illinois board as their representative.

Terri Devine
President
The Arc of Illinois