A great first day of the Speak UP Speak OUT Summit lead by Director Kimberly Mercer-Schleider and the Council’s President Bill Bogdan. We have a sold out crew of 530 individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, all of us enjoyed a full day of advocacy topped off by the costume dance at the end of the night. Really looking forward to day two with Director Fenton addressing the Summit.

Also on Monday, we met with the Editorial Board of the State Journal Register asking them to support our efforts to override the Governor’s veto to increase wages for Direct Service Professionals to $15.00 per hour. I was joined by Charlotte Cronin, Dr. Charlene Bennett and Vicki Kean. Where do your legislators stand on the override vote??
Today after the end of the Summit I am meeting with the Governor’s staff to discuss housing, Employment First and wages.
After that meeting, I will address the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities for the last time thanking them for their support over the years.
Lastly check out the new videos I sent you today from the Going Home Coalition.

Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
708-828-0188 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org