IL Council on Developmental Disabilities

ICDD Council Member Curtis Harris was in Washington, DC this week for the American Association of People with Disabilities Conference.

As part of the conference, Harris participated in visits to Capitol Hill, where he talked about the importance of Home and Community-Based Services, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other issues. In these photos, Harris is with US Representative Danny Davis and on the steps of the Capitol.

IDD System Redesign Coalition Summit

The IDD Systems Redesign Coalition invites self advocates, family members, providers, and allies to a Summit on May 20. Participants will learn about efforts to redesign Illinois’ IDD system.

Summit presenters will include information gathered through listening sessions and survey. The summit hosts ask attendees to “Come ready to share your story, connect with others, and help shape the future.”

Here are the details of the Summit:

May 20, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
UIC Student Services Building Conference Room
1200 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL 60607

This event is in person only. Registration is required. Space is limited. Lunch will be provided.

Here is the registration link: https://thearcofil.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/thearcofil/eventRegistration.jsp?event=201&

On Friday, May 8, Mary Lazare, the Principal Deputy Administrator for the Administration on Community Living (ACL), was in Springfield, Illinois. While in Springfield, Lazare met with Tyson Bedford, Council Chair of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and with ICDD Executive Director Kimberly Mercer-Schleider. Lazare was in Illinois to learn more about ACL initiatives, like ICDD, the Illinois Assistive Technology Program, and the Illinois Department on Aging. (In this picture, Principal Deputy Administrator of the ACL Mary Lazare (right) takes a picture with Tyson Bedford, ICDD Chair, and ICDD Director Kimberley Mercer-Schleider).