[IL-Talk] NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes, November 2025

[Deborah Kent Stein]

NFBI Chicago Chapter

November 8, 2025

Royal Grocer Restaurant, 2118 N. Damen Ave., Chicago

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

After Marco and Dustin heroically handled some technological difficulties,
Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 1:15
p.m. She explained that those who want to pay chapter dues of $5.00 should
see Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch. Those on Zoom can pay dues via Zelle at
Chicago.treasurer at nfb.org <mailto:Chicago.treasurer at nfb.org> . Dave Meyer
led everyone in the NFB Pledge.

 

Dorothy Morgan, Rob W., Crystal Smith, Mark and Monica Primm, Ed Birmingham,
Debbie Pittman, Linda Hendle, Dan Tevelde, Alicia and son Brandon, Glenn
Moore, first timer Lindy Vandersteeg, and first timer Shirley attended the
meeting on Zoom. Cloyues Miles, Dustin Cather, Ken Borst, Mary Grunwald, Ken
Schad, first timer Adrienne Brooks, first timer Jackie Johnson, Bruce Paul,
Jemal Powell, Melissa Fuller, Debbie Stein, David Meyer, Paul Shepherdson,
Edward Ocampo, Erika Randolph, Michelle Ault, Kira O'Bradovitch, Sara Luna,
first timer Shungiesla Eichelberger, Steve Hastalis, and first-timer Divine
attended in person. The proceedings were interrupted by further technical
difficulties, and Denise thanked everyone for their patience while Marco and
Dustin worked to get the sound system up and running again.

 

BAY BRIDGE RUN

 

Denise reported that she, Patti Chang, and Sara Luna participated in the Bay
Bridge Run on October 25. The actual run will take place in Maryland on
November 9, but chapters were invited to participate on their own. The
Chicago Chapter challenged other chapters, and so far we have raised more
than $1200. This money will go to support our national programs including
Braille literacy, advocacy, and more. You still can donate by putting the
name of one of our participants in the box at nfb.org/contribute/bay-bridge.
You can donate until the end of the year.

 

The run was a fun chapter activity, with several members walking and
gathering later at Exchequer for lunch. We'd like to do it again next year.

 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

 

NFB President Mark Riccobono delivered Presidential Release #554 on October
29, 2025. He reported that we had a great Blind Equality Achievement Month,
thanks to the participation of our local chapters. He reflected that we have
much to be grateful for in this Thanksgiving season.

 

A new weekly podcast called "Walking Alone and Marching Together" will focus
on the history of the organized blind movement. President Riccobono
encouraged everyone to find the trailer and subscribe. We need to protect
the ground we have gained and push even further.

 

PROGRAM

 

The focus of this month's program was Washington Seminar 2026. The
Federation has been conducting Washington Seminars since the 1980s and
perhaps even earlier. Federationists go to Washington at the end of January
and talk to our national legislators about issues of importance to the blind
community. Many of the issues we discuss come from the resolutions we pass
at our NFB National Convention.

 

Denise emphasized that we are and always have been a nonpartisan
organization. We concern ourselves with blindness issues only. We do not
engage in political discussions at Federation events or in public spaces
such as our listservs. Denise urged everyone to respect our mission and
refrain from engaging in political discussions at our events.

 

This year's Washington Seminar will begin on Sunday, January 25, 2026. If
you attend as a member of the Chicago Chapter, the chapter will provide
assistance with some of your expenses. The affiliate will cover room costs,
but people will have to share rooms. There will be training on Monday,
followed by the Great Gathering In that evening. Most Congressional
appointments are scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday. People are asked to
arrive on Sunday and to leave no earlier than 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

 

The application for Washington Seminar is available at nfbofillinois.org.
Applications must be submitted in an accessible format, preferably Word or
RTF. Applications are due by 11 p.m. on December first. They must go to
Marilyn Green at president at nfbofillinois.org
<mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> .

 

Generally our national office asks us to cover three issues when we meet
with our representatives. In each visit we only have about fifteen minutes
to cover the issues. We will hold training sessions in January to prepare
people. Training will include role playing around discussions of our issues.

 

Dustin reviewed the bills that we are trying to promote. The Competitive and
Integrated Employment Act, S.2438, has five cosponsors, and H.R.4771 has
three. The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R.1175, has twenty-two
cosponsors. The Access Technology Affordability Act, HR 1529, has
thirty-five cosponsors, including Mike Bost and Darrin LaHood from Illinois.
The Senate version, S.1918, has four cosponsors. The Website and Software
Accessibility Act, H.R.3417, has nine cosponsors. The Medical Device
Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R.5605, has fifteen cosponsors. Cosponsors
from Illinois are Jan Schakowski, Mike Quigley, Jesus Garcia, and Sean
Casten. 

 

The Connect for Health Act, which pertains to the availability of telehealth
appointments, is H.R.4206 in the House and S.1261 in the Senate. The House
version has 137 cosponsors, and there are sixty-five cosponsors in the
Senate. House cosponsors are Rajah Krishnamoorthie, Nickie Buzinski, Michael
Foster, Danny Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Bradley Schneider, and Jan
Schakowski. Tammy Duckworth is a cosponsor in the Senate. The Autonomous
Vehicle Accessibility Act, H.R.4419, has one sponsor so far.

 

We will find out in advance which three bills we will promote at Washington
Seminar. Denise pointed out that we could have last-minute changes,
depending on what is happening in Congress. Our national office will make
sure everyone is prepared.

 

STATE REPORT

 

As NFBI President Marilyn Green was away on Federation business, Denise
Avant delivered the state report. She thanked everyone for their help with
the NFBI Convention in October. Marilyn welcomes feedback, so please contact
her at president at nfbofillinois.org , or text her at 312-343-8396.

 

NFBI will hold a board meeting on December 17 at 7 p.m., and all are invited
to attend. The Zoom link will be posted on our listservs, IL-Talk and
IABS-Talk.

 

SECRETARY's MINUTES

 

Ken Borst moved and Jemal seconded approval of the September chapter
minutes. The minutes were approved.

 

TREASURER's REPORT

 

Chicago Chapter Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch gave the Third Quarter
Treasurer's Report. We brought in $1206.75 and spent $390.77 in the third
quarter. Our balance at the close of the second quarter was $4962.78, and at
the end of the third quarter we had $3813.76. We brought in $160 through
donations, $95.75 through August and September donations, $916 from the
bowling fundraiser, and $35 in chapter dues. Expenses included our monthly
donation of $50 to the national office and $165 to the bowling alley. There
were $1100 in other expenses. Right now in the account we have $4262.20 with
additional funds that have come in. Jemal moved and Ken Borst seconded
acceptance of the report. The Third Quarter Treasurer's Report was approved.

 

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

 

David Meyer reminded everyone that we will hold our traditional Chicago
Chapter Auction in December. We need three things: people, items, and money.
Our treasury is healthy, but we need more money, for things such as
Washington Seminar, outreach opportunities, maintaining equipment, and more.
He urged everyone to come to the auction in December. Gift cards, alcoholic
beverages, baked goods, and other items are always welcome. Dave has auction
letters for anyone who would like to solicit items from a business. Dave
will not be at the auction in person, as he will be having surgery two days
before. We will hold our December meeting and auction at Exchequer Pub and
Restaurant, 226 S. Wabash in Chicago. Our business meeting will begin at 12
to allow time for the auction to take place. People on Zoom are welcome to
bid.

 

ADVOCACY REPORT

 

Kira thanked everyone for working with our legislators to ensure funding for
our Chicago Transit system. In a last-minute maneuver, the city committed to
funding the system and funding it well. Funding for CTA and RTA should come
through in the fall. However, there does not seem to be any specific funding
for accessibility. We will meet on Tuesday, December 2, at 7 to talk about
funding for Rap, Tap, and paratransit. 

 

A pilot program has been launched, placing audible signage at some Chicago
bus stops. We will plan a chapter outing so people can experience the new
accessible features. 

 

NEW MEMBERS

 

The following new members were voted into the Chicago Chapter: Shungiesla
Eichelberger, Adrienne Brooks, Jackie Johnson, Monica Primm, and Mark Primm.
They all were welcomed with enthusiastic applause. Each new member will
receive a membership coin and letters from leaders in our organization.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Michelle reported on participating in the Blind Services Vision Expo. She
said our tables attracted many people all day, some of whom attended today's
chapter meeting. Debbie Pittman said she was glad we had Braille materials
at our table, because some people did take them. Glenn said ours was one of
the only tables that displayed any Braille. Debbie said they talked to
people about our chapter meetings and followed up with phone calls. 

 

Denise reported on our search for a permanent place for holding our chapter
meetings. Brian Mackey will post on our website information about where we
will meet.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities will host an event at 2102
W. Ogden on November 19. We can have a small table, and Michelle and Jemal
will hand out literature. Debbie Pittman announced that the Harold
Washington Library hosts audio-described movies every month. She urged
everyone to take advantage of this service so we don't lose it!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m. with many people extending Happy
Thanksgiving wishes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary