[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, September 13, 2025

Mon Nov 3 16:39:31 UTC 2025

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER

September 13, 2025

Royal Grocer Restaurant, 2118 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago

CALL TO ORDER

Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 1 PM.
Attending in person were Jean Johnson, Cloyues Miles, Debbie Pittman, Edward
Ocampo, Marilyn Green, Michelle Ault, Sara Luna, Debbie Stein, Dustin
Cather, Patti Chang, Francisco Chang, Melissa Fuller, Ken Borst, Steve
Hastalis, Dave Meyer, and Pam Gillmore. On Zoom were Eileen Truschke, Mark
and Monica Primm, Darlene, Gary Jones, Maryanne Lustgraaf, Bob Widman, Kira
O'Bradovitch, Robert Hansen, Crystal Smith, Sabiha Vohra, Paul Shepherdson,
Erika Randolph, Ken Schad, Mary Grunwald, Marco Giannotti, and first timers
Jason 

Ruehrdanz and Lewis Sanchez. Pam led everyone in the NFB Pledge. 

TREASURY

Denise explained that the chapter has switched its treasury from Fifth Third
Bank to Chase Bank. The chapter now has its own Zelle account! Denise
commented that if Michal Nowicki were at the meeting he would be doing
hand-springs! Kira explained that this switch will make the reading of the
chapter budget much easier. The email for the chapter Zelle is
chicago.treasurer at nfbofillinois.org.

At the moment the chapter has accounts in two different banks. Altogether we
have $4947.53. We have to deduct $65 for bowling expenses, which will leave
$4883.53. We will need to deduct our contribution of $1000 to Fifteen for
Funds as well as our PAC donation.

PROGRAM

Patti Chang led a lively discussion about cooking nonvisually. Patti shared
that she started cooking with her mother as a sighted child. When she was
twelve she began to lose vision, becoming totally blind when she was
fifty-three. Therefore, she has cooked with every level of vision. She
described cooking an egg casserole that can serve many people for several
days. The directions say that it's done when the cheese turns brown.
However, you can also tell it's done by sticking a toothpick in the middle
and checking whether it comes out clean. Smell and taste are also great
indicators. 

Dustin asked about organizing spices. Patti said she Brailles everything.
Another possibility is to use combinations of stick-on dots. Several members
suggested methods for labeling food containers. 

The Independence Market sells Braille measuring cups and Braille timers.
Alexa also can be a great timer. Seeing AI and Be My Eyes are very good at
reading labels. Debbie Pittman emphasized the importance of labeling items
as soon as they come from the grocery store. 

When cooking always place the pan on the burner before you turn the burner
on. Use a large pan for frying, which prevents spattering. Mix seasonings in
a little bit of water and then pour the mixture onto the meat.  

To continue the discussion email Patti at pattischang.gmail.com.

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

NFB President Mark Riccobono recorded Presidential Release 552 on August 28,
2025. September is a busy month. Congress will be coming back, so we can
talk to our reps about our concerns. We need to create a wave of support for
our work. Telehealth benefits are scheduled to end on September 30. October
will be Blind Equality and Achievement Month. The Virtual Career Fair will
take place on October 28. It is free for all blind jobseekers. People can
register at nfb.org/employment. 

Our NFB Movement Challenge will also take place in October. The Bay Bridge
Walk will occur virtually and in real time. You can sign up at
nfb.org/movers. NOPBC organized the effort to walk across the Bay Bridge in
Maryland on November 9. Virtual participants are encouraged to go out and
raise money. 

The NFB has long been engaged with blind people around the world. We benefit
from relating to blind people in the international community, and we gain
from learning what is being done in other countries. The World Blind Union
is the vehicle for collaboration among blind people from many nations. Mark
Riccobono has been elected President of the North American/Caribbean Region.

CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

The June chapter minutes were sent out on IL-Talk and NewslineR. Ken Borst
moved and Debbie Pittman seconded approval. The minutes were approved.
Debbie Stein will send Dave the final copy to place in the archives.   

BAY BRIDGE WALK

Denise reported that the Chapter Board voted to have Chicago Chapter members
participate in support of the Bay Bridge Walk. Patti explained that the
marathon market is a good fundraiser for many organizations. Furthermore,
our participation helps challenge the notion that we are sedentary and
helpless. The Bay Bridge Walk raises money and challenges assumptions. She
suggested that we choose a walking route downtown. It could also serve as a
Blind Equality Achievement Month event. Bruce proposed that we walk the 606
Trail Dustin pointed out that it is a very crowded trail, which has its pros
and cons. Denise noted that the lakefront is very congested with bikers and
runners.  Sara suggested the River Walk on the south side of the Chicago
River. It can be reached by stairs and elevator, and doesn't involve many
street crossings. People voted for the River Walk almost unanimously. There
are ramps to get there from the south side. Patti and Denise proposed that
we walk on October 25, the Saturday after State Convention. We should start
in the morning to avoid the heaviest crowds. Patti moved and jean seconded
that we participate in the Bay Bridge Walk by walking the River Walk. The
motion passed.

Denise Avant, Jean Johnson, Glenn Moore,  Ken Borst, Debbie Stein, Cloyues
Miles, Sara Luna,Robert Hansen,Sabiha Vohra, Debbie Pittman, Luis Sanchez,
Mark and Monica Primm, and Gary Jones and Darlene offered to participate.
,Patti urged everyone to sign up for IL-Talk to keep in touch around
logistics.

Patti encouraged people to think about all of the programs of the NFB that
benefit from our fundraising. We will register two or three people and have
people donate on their behalf. Denise, Sara, and Patti will register. For
our chapter to get credit contributors must put one of those names into the
box. Send donors to nfb.org/contribute/baybridge.

STATE REPORT

NFBI President Marilyn Green invited everyone to clap for the staff at Royal
Grocer for their wonderful service. Everyone broke into enthusiastic
applause.

Marilyn urged everyone to register for the NFBI Convention, October 17-19.
The theme will be "Reflecting Our Truth." You can register at
nfbofillinois.org/convention. If you need help with registration, reach out
to Marilyn at 312-343-8396 or president at nfbofillinois.org. We will be at the
Chicago Marriott Naperville Hotel, where we have met for the past few years.
We will begin at 4 with Resolutions. On Friday night we will have Braille Is
Beautiful and NFBI's got talent. Peggy Chong, the Blind History Lady, will
be with us for the weekend. Exhibits will be open Friday afternoon and
Saturday morning. Our national representative will be Donald Porterfield. On
Sunday morning we will have Philosophy Over Breakfast. 

The hotel will charge $142 per night for a king room and $152 for a room
with two queen beds. If you have any trouble making reservations, contact
Patti at pattischang at nfb.org. Braille and print copies of the agenda will be
available. October 3 is the deadline for pre-registration.

We have three state scholarship finalists: Tasabih (Abbu) Elfaki, Tobi
Ellis, and Mia Zutter. Michelle and Abbu will handle door prizes. Contact
either of them if you have something to donate.   

CHAPTER President's REPORT

Denise expressed her enthusiasm for  the Royal Grocer, which in most ways
seems to be the meeting place we have searched for long and hard. The only
down side we are aware of is the fact that there are two steps with no
banister at the entrance. Anyone on crutches or using a wheelchair will need
a ramp. The owner is willing to explore getting a ramp, perhaps at the side
entrance. Denise will find out if a portable ramp is an option. The manager
also is willing to work on making the online menu more accessible.  

The Battle of the Chapters during the Friday night talent show will be TV
theme songs. Dustin suggested the Sponge Bob theme song. Mary Lou suggested
the Laverne and Shirley theme. Other suggestions were "Good Times" and the
theme from "Friends. The theme from "Good Times" was the winner.

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

David Meyer emphasized the need for fundraising at the chapter level for
sending people to Washington Seminar and contributing to national programs.
We also will take part in the Blind Services Low Vision Expo. Our first
fundraiser will be a Read-a-thon. There is a fee of $10 for participation,
and you can ask for donations. It will take place on October 11 from 1 to 4.
Dave will post the Zoom link on IL-Talk. Reading in any format is
acceptable.

The chapter is responsible for a contribution to the affiliate of $1000 for
Fifteen for Funds. Jemal moved  and Jean seconded donating $1000 for Fifteen
for Funds.

Our annual holiday auction in December is our biggest fundraiser of the
year. Donate books, instruments, audio recordings, and even travel lessons.

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

Kira O'Bradovitch announced that the Advocacy Committee will meet on
September 23 on Zoom. That day there will be a meeting of several
organizations regarding the tactile signs being placed at 100 bus stops
around the city. The routes are not fully determined, but they will probably
be the five routes that have tactile signs already. There will also be a
pilot of tactile and audible signs at seventeen bus stops. Twenty-five more
will be added. They will be computer screens that give audio and visual
information. In response to a lawsuit the MOPD Advisory Committee will
install audible traffic signals at locations throughout the city. Kira also
noted that we have had some inequitable access to career counseling options
at the Department of Transit. Jemal commented that he has noticed audible
pedestrian signals at several crossings over the past few weeks. Denise said
people should make sure that the signals include speech as well as sound.
They should be placed at all four corners.

OLD BUSINESS

Denise pointed out that this is our last meeting before the Blind Services
Vision Expo, which will be held on October 28 from 9 to 3. It will be held
at 838 W. Kinsey. Glenn Moore, Debbie Pittman, Jean Johnson, Jemal Powell,
and Michelle Ault have volunteered. 

NEW BUSINESS

Jemal moved and Robert seconded voting in Luis Sanchez and Jason Ruehrdanz
as new members. They were unanimously and enthusiastically voted in as
members of the Chicago Chapter. 

Dave Meyer announced that the Illinois Council of the Blind will have a
fundraiser at Beggar's Pizza on Wednesday, September 17. It will run from 11
AM to 8 PM. They have supported us in similar fundraisers, and they will
appreciate our support. 

Mary said she went  to Exchequer recently and discovered that Ryan, our
favorite waiter, is back. Patti proposed that we go to Exchequer after our
walk. She also urged us to give proper gratuities at Royal Grocer. 

Debbie Stein announced that she has Braille copies of the script for Braille
Is Beautiful to hand out to those who want one. 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary

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