[il-talk] chicago minutes january 2019

[David Meyer]

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MEETING

Meeting of January 12, 2019

President Steve Hastalis called the meeting to order at 1:06 P.M.

Program: Jemal Powell introduced our guest speaker who was Karen Tamley 
from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. Ms.
Tamley talked a bit about when the department was created and the 
purposes served through it. The department deals in four key areas; 
providing direct services to disabled residents, educating people on 
abilities of those with disabilities, assisting service providers to 
insure that their programs and services are accessible to people with 
disabilities and finally, creating and implementing policies and 
initiatives for people with disabilities. An example of an issue 
affecting the blind is the installation of Audio Pedestrian Signals. 
The city plans to install 50 of these devices in the coming months. 
Other examples include working with the paratransit program under Pace 
to improve the quality of service. Finally, the Mayor’s Office for 
people with Disabilities wishes to establish and maintain communication 
with groups such as the Chicago Chapter of NFB. She asked that we 
provide her with copies of complaints that blind customers have with 
ride sharing services in Chicago. There is also a committee which works 
on improving accessibility in Chicago airports.  Ms. Tamley took 
several questions and comments concerning programs and services 
sponsored by the Mayor’s Office for people with Disabilities.

Secretary’s Report: It was moved and seconded to approve minutes for 
the December 2018 meeting. The motion carried.

What’s Happening: Roberta Glickman has now moved to Friedman Place. 
There were 24 members present.

Presidential Reports: Due to technical difficulties, there was no 
National Presidential Release. State Presidential Report: Denise avant 
reported on the following items. The National convention will take 
place July 7-12 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Los Vegas. Reservations 
are now being taken for this event. Call the Mandalay Bay at 
877-632-9001. 002One may register online from March 1 through May 31. 
Everyone is encouraged to register online if possible, as both 
registration and the banquet tickets are cheaper than they would be if 
one registers at the convention. If you need financial assistance to 
attend, there are two ways to apply. One is through the Chappell Dennis 
fund. The application is on our website. It must be completed and into 
Denise by May 1. The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship fund is a 
national program for convention assistance. Though priority is given to 
first timers, one may apply who has gone to multiple conventions. You 
must write a letter to Denise stating how the convention might benefit 
you and stating the ways you are involved in your local chapter. She 
must receive these letters by March 31, so that she may have time to 
submit a support letter. Our student Seminar will take place at the 
Holiday Inn O’Hare, March 15 through 17. Cost of registration is $70. 
Room rates are $109 per night. This fee includes a complimentary 
breakfast. The Braille Readers are Leaders contest is currently 
happening. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 read as many pages 
as they can during the contest period. The contest began on December 1, 
2018 and will conclude January 19, 2019. First, second and third prizes 
will be awarded for each of several age groups. All students will 
receive a bag of supplies from us who enter the contest. Applications 
are now being taken for both State and National scholarships. The 
National scholarship application can be found by going to 
www.nfb.com/scholarships. State applications are on the NFB of Illinois 
website. The deadline to apply for both scholarships is March 31, 2019. 
We heard from John Gordon of the Bureau of Blind Services regarding the 
merging of our services with other disability groups. There will be no 
merger at this time. President Avant mentioned that this probably would 
not have happened had it not been for the efforts put forth by the 
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, the Illinois Council of 
the Blind and the Blind Services Planning Council.

Washington Seminar: Marilyn Green reported that we would have ten 
people representing us in Washington, five of whom are with the Chicago 
Chapter. They are Steve Hastalis, Marilyn Green, David Meyer, Patti 
Chang and Bex Leon. We have three issues to advocate for this year. The 
Disability Employment Act, the Access Technology Affordability Act and 
the Greater Accessibility through Independence in Non-visual Technology 
Act. Marilyn went on to summarize these initiatives. Fact sheets are on 
the NFB website, NFB-NewsLine and possibly the NFB of Illinois website.



President Hastalis reminded all of us that January is the date that 
dues payments are due. Anyone wishing to pay dues should give their 
money to Marco.

Treasurers Report: Marco Giannotti gave the fourth quarter treasurers 
report. We had a balance on October 1 of $5,204.18. Income for the 
quarter was $2,277. Expenses were $2,977. $4,511.02. It was moved and 
seconded to approve the report. The motion carried.

New Business; The next CTA ADA Advisory Committee meeting will be held 
at CTA Headquarters on Tuesday, January 15 from 1:30-4:00 P.M. David 
Meyer went over logistics for Games Night. Jemal Powell announced that 
the next Pace ADA Advisory Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 
22 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. It is at Pace headquarters in Arlington Heights. 
The Pace Chicago ADA Transit Committee will meet on January 28 from 
12:30-3:00 in Willis Tower. The next Metra ADA Advisory Committee 
meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 5 at 547 West Jackson in 
Chicago from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.\

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

David Meyer, Secretary.