[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, May 13, 2023

Tue Jun 6 19:54:20 UTC 2023

I will be in attendance this Saturday the 10th and I will claim the gift
card that I had purchased. Looking forward to coming down Saturday.

Robert Hansen
hansen.robert70 at gmail.com

On Mon, Jun 5, 2023, 2:55 PM David Meyer via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> The restaurant which held the fundraiser for the American Council of the
> Blind Metro Chicago chapter was Colvers. Three gift cards were sold at the
> mini auction.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marilyn Green via
> IL-Talk
> Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 11:52 AM
> To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Marilyn Green <president at nfbofillinois.org>
> Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, May 13, 2023
>
> Olivia's last name is spelled Cichowlas and the Blind Service Chicago
> event that is scheduled for October 7 is titled the Vision Expo.
>
>
> --
> Marilyn Green, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
> 312-343-8396
> president at nfbofillinois.org
> www.nfbofillinois.org
> Live the life you want!
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is a community of members
> and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
> Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
>
>
>
> On 6/5/23, Deborah Kent Stein via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the correction. Keep them coming!
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: IL-Talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Denise
> > Avant via IL-Talk
> > Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 8:23 AM
> > To: 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List' <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: davant1958 at gmail.com
> > Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, May 13, 2023
> >
> > Yes, that's right. Sorry I missed that Debbie.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Patti S Chang
> > via IL-Talk
> > Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 6:49 AM
> > To: 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List' <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Patti S Chang <pattischang at gmail.com>; iabs-talk at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, May 13, 2023
> >
> > The section on Senate Bill 282 is not quite right. S 282 is not the
> > omnibus bill. We hope that it would be added to an omnibus bill. Hope
> > this is helpful.
> >
> >
> > Patti Chang
> > 2nd Vice President
> > National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
> > https://www.nfbofillinois.org
> > Pronouns: she, her, hers
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent
> > Stein via IL-Talk
> > Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 12:27 AM
> > To: il-talk at nfbnet.org
> > Cc: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>; iabs-talk at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, May 13, 2023
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER
> >
> > May 13, 2023
> >
> > Exchequer Pub and Restaurant
> >
> > 226 S. Wabash, Chicago
> >
> >
> >
> > CALL TO ORDER
> >
> >
> >
> > Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM. Present in person
> > were Denise Avant, Debbie Stein, Marilyn Green, Kira O'Bradovitch,
> > Francisco Chang, Marty Kummetz from Blind Services Association, Kyle
> > Chelino, Ken Schad, Eileen Truschke, David Meyer, Pam Gillmore, Gary
> > Jones, Ken Borst, Jemal Powell, first-timer Dave Kumkulka, Steve
> > Hastalis, Mary Grunwald, Ed Birmingham, Michelle Ault, first-timer
> > Alex Gillaspy, Bruce Paul, Glenn Moore, Melissa Fuller, Dan Tevelde,
> > Chris Milsap, Michal Nowicki, and Patti Chang. Jemal Powell asked for
> > thoughts and prayers for his father, who is in the hospital. Kyle
> > Chelino announced that he just started a job with Chick-Fil-A. Steve
> > Hastalis shared that he will have cardiac oblation surgery on Monday.
> > First-timer Olivia xxx arrived later and announced that she just
> > graduated from North Central College in Naperville.
> >
> >
> >
> > Several more people took part in the meeting on Zoom: Alisha Green,
> > Debbie Pittman, Dustin Cather, Robert Hansen, Bob Lee, Ellen Bartelt,
> > Gina Falvo, and Bob Widman.
> >
> >
> >
> > The mic was not working well during  the meeting, and Denise
> > encouraged everyone to use their outdoor voice.
> >
> >
> >
> > PROGRAM
> >
> >
> >
> > Marty Kummetz from Blind Service Chicago talked about their history
> > and program. Blind Services was founded one hundred  years ago by a
> > woman in Hyde Park who was very involved with literacy programs. She
> > began by reading to blind children in her home. By 1930 she and women
> > from her synagogue shifted their focus to secondary and college
> > students and adults. Services revolved around reading and recording
> > for blind people.
> >
> >
> >
> > During the pandemic Blind Service volunteers read to people via Zoom
> > and telephone. There are empowerment groups for adults and students.
> > There  are still recording services to cover materials that are not
> > available elsewhere. There are now special interest groups and clubs,
> > including a popular knitting club. A short selections group involves
> > listening to a short story or passage of literature. The stress
> > management workshop is very popular. Movies with audio description are
> > shown monthly, and there are also tours and excursions. BSA hopes to
> > bring back computer training and to provide equipment for clients to
> > use.
> >
> >
> >
> > Dave Meyer asked how people can access the monthly newsletter and how
> > a person can become a BSA client. The newsletter can be accessed via
> > email, large print, Braille, and via podcast. Services are offered to
> > people in Chicago and northern Illinois after a brief intake.
> >
> >
> >
> > Denise asked whether there will be more evening volunteers now that
> > the pandemic is over. Blind Service is now open until seven on Mondays
> > and Thursdays, and they may extend the time to eight. Reading
> > appointments are always for two hours.
> >
> >
> >
> > On October 7 BSA will host the Vision Connection at the Chicago Hilton
> > and Towers. The Chicago Chapter is looking into getting a table at this
> event.
> >
> >
> >
> > The phone number for BSA is 312-236-0808. Over the phone you can ask
> > to join the mailing list in your preferred format.
> >
> >
> >
> > STATE REPORT
> >
> >
> >
> > Jernigan Convention Scholarships: NFBI President Marilyn Green
> > announced that we will have four Jernigan Convention Scholarship
> > winners at this year's national convention. There is still time to
> > pre-register for convention and get a hotel room.
> >
> >
> >
> > BELLR Academy: Our Chicago BELL program will be held July 17-28 at the
> > Chicago Lighthouse. Springfield BELL will run July 31 to August 4.
> > Right now we have four children registered for Chicago, two for
> > Springfield, and one for In Home Edition. There is still time for
> > children to register for Chicago and Springfield.
> >
> >
> >
> > NFB and NFBI Scholarships: The state scholarship application deadline
> > is May 31. Interested persons should contact scholarship co-chairs
> > Debbie Stein or Patti Chang. Illinois has a National Scholarship
> > finalist, Ernest Emmanuel Peebles. He is an advocate and actor. He has
> > albinism and wants to be a voice for people with this condition. He is
> > from Georgia and is earning a master's degree at U. of Illinois in
> > Champaign. We hope he will become active with us here in Illinois.
> >
> >
> >
> > State Convention: State Convention will be held October 13 and 14 at
> > the Chicago Marriott-Naperville Hotel. The face-to-face board meeting
> > will take place at the same hotel on August 19. The board meeting is
> > an opportunity for people to get familiar with the hotel and to become
> > informed about the programs we have. All are welcome, and there will
> > be a Zoom link for people who can't be there in person.
> >
> >
> >
> > For state convention our room rate will be $119 per night. Make
> > reservations now for the board meeting and the state convention. The
> > format for state convention will be different this year. We will start
> > at 9 AM on Friday and adjourn after the banquet Saturday night.
> >
> >
> >
> > FEDERAL LEGISLATION
> >
> >
> >
> > Dustin Cather reported that the Access Technology Affordability Act
> > was introduced into the Senate as S 1467 by Sen. Benjamin Cardin, a
> > Democrat from Maryland; Sen. John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas;
> > Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon; and Paul Jones, a Republican from
> > Indiana. There is no House equivalent as of yet. We all need to
> > contact our senators and urge them to become cosponsors.
> >
> >
> >
> > The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act was introduced to the
> > House as HR 1328 by Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Currently it has
> > forty-eight cosponsors.
> >
> >
> >
> > The Transformation to Competitive and Integrated Employment Act has
> > been introduced into both houses. The Senate bill is S 531, and the
> > House bill is HR 1263. It has fifty cosponsors, but none of them come
> > from Illinois.
> >
> >
> >
> > Denise noted that our congressional representatives will be coming
> > home soon, so now is the time to start reaching out to them.
> > Cosponsors from the previous congressional session have not signed
> > back on, and we need to remind them to do so.
> >
> >
> >
> > Debbie Pittman asked for information about the Joe Orozco case, which
> > regards accessibility in federal jobs. Joe works as an analyst for the
> FBI.
> > The federal government is supposed to make sure its software and
> > platforms are accessible under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
> > The DC Circuit Court found in Joe's favor, which means the FBI has to
> > make its workplace accessible.
> >
> >
> >
> > NATIONAL REPORT
> >
> >
> >
> > NFB President Mark Riccobono encouraged people to apply for jobs at
> > our national headquarters. The NFB is always looking for talented
> > people to run its programs.
> >
> >
> >
> > Social Media: The Federation is active across many social media
> platforms.
> > We want to reach the general public and also blind people who may not
> > know us. Due to recent developments, Twitter may no longer be an
> > appropriate platform for communicating our message. Twitter has laid
> > off many staff members, including all of its accessibility staff. We
> > are also now asked to pay to have a verified account. We don't want to
> > abandon supporters who use Twitter, but we are starting to build a new
> community on Mastodon.
> > President
> > Riccobono invited all of us to launch NFBs social presence on Mastodon
> > and to help shape our community there going forward. Mastodon is not
> > controlled by any particular company. We are launching an account with
> nfb.social.
> > Find
> > nationsblind at nfb.social.
> >
> >
> >
> > Guide Dogs: Lately we have heard several news stories about people
> > using guide dogs who have been negatively impacted in a number of
> > situations. One of our members recently was denied a seat on a plane
> > because she was traveling with a guide dog. Several members of the
> > Governmental Affairs Committee and Al Elia of the National Association
> > of Guide Dog Users met with senior officials at the US Department of
> > Transportation. If you have experienced discrimination by the airlines
> > while traveling with a guide dog, contact Al Elia at aelia at nagdu.org.
> > Be sure to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation
> > immediately.
> >
> >
> >
> > Teachers of Tomorrow: We are in the process of recruiting a new cohort
> > for our Teachers of Tomorrow program. Applications for the 2023-24
> > cohort are now open. The program connects current and future teachers
> > of blind students with blind individuals and with the leaders and
> > resources of the NFB. The program is open to people who are studying
> > to become teachers of the blind or who have been teaching for up to
> > five years.
> >
> >
> >
> > National Convention: The room rate at the Marriott is now $125 per night.
> > Resolutions are due by June 1. Send them to resolutions at nfb.org.
> > Donald Porterfield will chair the Resolutions Committee this year.
> > Long-time committee chair Sharon Maneki will be a special advisor to the
> new chair.
> >
> >
> >
> > News of Our Federation Family: Patti Chang says people still can
> > become part of the Dream-makers Circle before convention. There will
> > be a special event for new members during convention this year.
> >
> > Dennis Holter of California, Juanita Bronton of Colorado, Frank
> > Carrillo of Texas, and Woodrow Berry of Virginia are all recent losses
> > from our Federation family. Duran Tucker and DeShawn Dodson of Georgia
> > are newly married.
> >
> >
> >
> > Patti said that Jonathan Mosen created a great podcast about Mastodon
> > on Living Blindfully.
> >
> >
> >
> > NFB NEWSLINE
> >
> >
> >
> > Because we had several new members at the meeting, Dave Meyer
> > introduced NFB NewslineR. Newsline has about 500 US newspapers, papers
> > in Spanish, and several international papers. There are numerous
> > magazines, and there are job listings. The Illinois State Library
> > sponsors Newsline in Illinois. You can apply through the library or by
> > contacting Dave. Newsline is accessible with a standard touch-tone
> > telephone, with a cellphone, on a PC or laptop, and on a digital
> > Talking Book machine. Dave's number is 708-606-7091, and his email is
> > datemeyer at sbcglobal.net. Newsline is a free service to individual
> > subscribers.
> >
> >
> >
> > SECRETARY'S MINUTES
> >
> >
> >
> > Ken Borst moved and Jemal Powell seconded acceptance of the April 1
> > minutes.
> > The minutes were approved unanimously.
> >
> >
> >
> > TREASURER'S REPORT
> >
> >
> >
> > Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch reported that the collection brought in
> $83.76.
> > The treasury is in transition, and past treasurer Steve Hastalis said
> > that the treasury currently has $3259.55.
> >
> >
> >
> > COMMITTEE REPORTS
> >
> >
> >
> > Fundraising: Dave Meyer said the Fundraising Committee is working on a
> > bowling fundraiser for August 5. Details will be forthcoming. A
> > mini-auction was scheduled for today's meeting. We will hold a
> > Read-a-Thon on October 28.
> > We will have a fundraiser at Beggar's Pizza on November 15, at 310
> > South Clinton. And of course in December we will host our annual holiday
> auction.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Advocacy Committee: The Advocacy Committee is working to arrange a
> > meeting with the CTA Advisory Commissioner to discuss several concerns
> > about transit. We want to advocate for audible announcements in the
> > stations to give information about trains that are coming in. We also
> > want to encourage better  training of bus drivers to be sure they
> > don't turn down the audible announcements. The committee is also
> > working on in-person voting. Marilyn, Denise, and Kira plan to meet
> > with Max Faber at the Chicago Board of Elections to look at
> > accessibility of the new voting machines and training of poll workers.
> The next meeting is scheduled for May 24.
> >
> >
> >
> > Denise brought us up to date on accessible ballot return for mail-in
> > ballots. SB 282 is an omnibus election bill that could include
> > accessible ballot return. We don't know whether the omnibus bill will
> > reach the legislature, and we don't know whether our provision will be
> > included. Many of us made calls to let our reps know the importance of
> > this issue. We won't know anything until May 19.
> >
> >
> >
> > AUCTION ITEMS
> >
> >
> >
> > Pam Gillmore brought four restaurant certificates for a mini-auction,
> > and Ed Birmingham served as auctioneer.
> >
> >
> >
> > NEW BUSINESS
> >
> >
> >
> > Debbie Pittman urged people to file a report if their paratransit ride
> > is an hour or more late. Users will get a ticket at the end of the
> > quarter.
> > Debbie
> > also announced that on May 30 the Harold Washington Library will air
> > an audio-described movie. We got the Talking Book Center re-opened,
> > and we need to use the services it provides.
> >
> >
> >
> > Denise said the Taxi Access program was free during the pandemic, but
> > now it will cost $2 per ride. If you lose your card it will cost $6 to
> > replace it, and it will take three weeks.
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve said that ICB Metro Chicago chapter is having a fundraiser at
> > Calder's at 4939 West Irving Park Road. They support many of our
> > fundraisers, and we should reciprocate when we can.
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve noted that we recently lost a former chapter member, Dale
> > Waltof. His passing was mentioned in the April Presidential Release.
> >
> >
> >
> > ADJOURNMENT
> >
> >
> >
> > Marilyn moved and Denise seconded adjourning the meeting. The meeting
> > adjourned at 3:07 PM.
> >
> >
> >
> > Respectfully submitted,
> >
> > Debbie Stein, Secretary
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > a
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> > www.avast.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > IL-Talk mailing list
> > IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > IL-Talk:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/pattischang%40gma
> > il.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > IL-Talk mailing list
> > IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > IL-Talk:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/davant1958%40gmai
> > l.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > IL-Talk mailing list
> > IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > IL-Talk:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.n
> > et
> >
> >
> > --
> > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> > www.avast.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > IL-Talk mailing list
> > IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > IL-Talk:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/president%40nfbof
> > illinois.org
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> IL-Talk mailing list
> IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> IL-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/datemeyer%40sbcglobal.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> IL-Talk mailing list
> IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> IL-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/hansen.robert70%40gmail.com
>