The Arc will once again partner with the Going Home Coalition for our annual Day at the
Capitol on Wednesday, March 26. Registration will begin at 10:00 with our Rally beginning
at 11:00 in the State Capitol. Last year 300 self-advocates and Governor Quinn rallied
around living a full life in the community. It was fantastic!
Mark your calendars now, March 26th! More to come…
SIBS POLICY TRAINING
The Arc of Illinois is proud to be a partner on our exciting new project with UIC to engage
people with disabilities and their siblings in a community forum about long term services
and supports. Please share this information about our upcoming FREE trainings with your
advocacy network.
Sibling Training about Disability Policy
The University of Illinois at Chicago is offering free training for siblings and their
brothers and sisters with disabilities.
People who participate in this training will:
• increase knowledge of disability policy
• share ideas on long term services and supports
• identify strategies to be agents of change
• receive a toolkit of strategies for civic engagement
Two trainings will be held, so come to the one that works best for you:
Participants will learn about:
• Disability policy
• Advocacy strategies
• How to effectively share your story and create change
The training is FREE.
Lunch will be provided.
To register for the either training, please contact Katie Arnold at: kkeiling@uic.edu or 312-996-1002
In addition, UIC is conducting research right before this training to gain your perspective on
long term services and supports. This will include a focus group discussion that will last up to
1 ½ hours. Your participation will provide important feedback that can potentially help guide,
expand, and strengthen disability policy. Your participation is voluntary and your responses
will be kept confidential.
STATE OF THE STATE
Governor Quinn honored woman with down syndrome and talked about housing for people
with developmental disabilities in his State of the State Address. Story from the Daily Herald:
Quinn honors Downers Grove senior Wagner
By Mike Riopell
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn took a minute of his State of the State address to honor
Downers Grove North High School senior Anne Wagner and the classmate who nominated
her to be homecoming queen, Mary Doro. Wagner, who has Down syndrome, missed part of
her sophomore year and full junior year of high school while suffering from leukemia.
And when she returned to school last year, her longtime friend Doro nominated her to be
homecoming queen, and Wagner won.
“Anne and Mary: We’re very proud of you,” Quinn said.
Both watched the speech from the Illinois House gallery and spent time in Quinn’s office after
the speech.
“It was nice of him to acknowledge that Mary took a stand for Anne,” said Wagner’s dad, Joe
Wagner.
Quinn went to their high school in October to honor the two teenagers and their classmates.
Doro said it was an honor to be invited.
“It’s eye-opening, and they’re great opportunities,” Doro said.
Quinn mentioned the two as part as a brief section of the speech touting his backing of more
supportive housing for people with developmental disabilities.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
