[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, December 2025

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NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

December 13, 2025

Exchequer Pub and Restaurant

226 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

NFBI Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at
1:00 PM. She noted that it was good to be back at Exchequer, our old home,
and to see our familiar waiter, Ryan. She thanked everyone who came out in
person and braved the cold, and she reminded attendees that the annual
holiday auction would follow the meeting.

 

Attending the meeting on Zoom were Dustin Cather, Glenn Moore, Eileen
Truschke, Ken Schad, Crystal Smith, first-timer Tim Tunlaugh, Luis Sanchez,
Robert Hansen, Bob Widman, and Olivia Cichowlas. In person were Debbie
Stein, Jemal Powell, first-timer Shirley Holmes, Cloyues Miles, Mario
Valdivieso, Kira O'Bradovitch, Michelle Ault, Marilyn Green, Bill Reif from
Springfield, Paul Shepherdson, renewing member Kelly Pierce,  Steve
Hastalis, Ken Borst, first-timer Deborah Swoope, Erica Randolph, Michal
Nowicki, Nickie Nishijima, Marco Giannotti, Pam Gillmore, and Mary Grunwald.
Pam reported that Dave Meyer is in the hospital recovering from surgery, and
he welcomes calls.

 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

 

NFB President Mark Riccobono recorded Presidential Release 555 on November
25. He said that 2025 will be remembered as a special year in the
Federation. We started the year talking about financial pressures, and
members have responded with contributions and fundraising ideas. Many
chapters and affiliates have joined the PAC Plan for preauthorized giving.
He thanked the many people who have contributed money, time, and ideas to
support the organization.

 

President Riccobono shared a long list of recent losses in our Federation
community. He also spoke about the tensions that can arise when we deal with
our families around the holidays. Our  sense of belonging in the Federation
can be a source of strength.

 

In 2026 we will continue to develop and revise our document "The Courtesy
Rules of Blindness." Send ideas for changes and revisions to
communications at nfb.org. We have the power to continue building the
organization and the movement in 2026.

 

STATE REPORT

 

NFBI President Marilyn Green  welcomed everyone at the meeting, including
all of the first-timers. Our next state board meeting will take place on
Wednesday, December 17. It's a great opportunity for new members to learn
more about the work of the affiliate. Marilyn also encouraged people to
subscribe to our mailing listserv, IL-Talk. 

 

Illinois will send a team of advocates to the 2026 Washington Seminar, which
begins on January 25. Delegates from Chicago will be Denise Avant, Dustin
Cather, and Michelle Ault. Other Illinoisians in attendance will be Jean
Johnson, Kaitlin Ryan, and Monica Primm. We go to the Hill every year to
advocate for priorities within our organization. Dustin Cather and Denise
Avant are our legislative co-chairs.

 

The NFB has national and state academic scholarship programs. The national
scholarship application is available at nfb.org/scholarships, and the
Illinois application is posted at nfbofillinois.org/scholarships. They are
separate programs, but applicants can use all of the same documents and
apply to each.

 

The Midwest Student Seminar is sponsored by our national organization and
the National Association of Blind Students (NABS). It is geared toward
postsecondary students, and it will take place March 13-15 at the Holiday
Inn/Chicago O'Hare.

 

NFBI will host two BELLR Academies in the summer of 2026, one in Chicago and
one in Springfield. We also are bringing back STEM 2 U. Olivia Cichowlas and
Aihua Sprecher, the STEM coordinators, will attend training in Baltimore in
January. Abbu Elfaki will attend BELL training in Baltimore at the end of
February.

 

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

 

Dustin Cather reported that the Transformation to Competitive and Integrated
Employment Act, S.2348, has five cosponsors in the Senate. The House version
is HR 4771, which has three cosponsors. 

 

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, HR 1175, has twenty-two cosponsors.
The Access Technology Affordability Act, HR 1529, has thirty-five
cosponsors. Cosponsors from Illinois are Darrin LaHood and Mike Bost. The
Senate version, S 1918, has four cosponsors. 

 

The Website Software Applications Accessibility Act, HR3417, has nine
cosponsors. The Medical Device Accessibility Act, HR 5605, was introduced by
Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky. It has  fifteen cosponsors. 

 

The Connect for Health Act, HR 4206 and S 1261, has 174 cosponsors in the
House and sixty-five in the Senate. Illinois reps who have signed on are
Mike Quigley, Rajah Krishnamoorthie, Mikie Pazinski, Bill Foster, Danny
Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Bradley Schneider, and Jan Schakowsky. The
Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act, HR 4419, has just one sponsor so far.

 

Denise explained that it's important for all of us to contact our
representatives and urge them to sign onto our bills as cosponsors. We all
need to call our reps and urge them to sign on.

 

SECRETARY's MINUTES

 

Jemal moved and Ken Borst seconded approval of the November minutes.
Secretary Debbie Stein noted that Dave Meyer pointed out one small
correction, which she will make. The minutes were approved.

 

TREASURER's SUMMARY

 

Chicago Chapter Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch gave the following summary: The
treasury now contains $3788.20. The chapter will send $100 to our national
office as November and December contributions to our national funds. We also
need to deduct $400 for Washington Seminar, and we received $10 in dues.
Technically, with these changes, we now have $3298.20.                 

 

Denise explained that our account has been transferred to Chase Bank. Our
Zelle address is treasurer at nfbofillinois.org. At Chase we have to keep $2000
in the account to avoid being charged bank fees. That means that we only
have about $1200 available for expenses.

 

FUNDRAISING 

 

Michelle Ault summarized various chapter fundraisers of the past year,
including our bowling event, Read-a-thon, Bay Bridge Walk, Comedy club
fundraiser, and finally, our holiday auction. The chapter contributes to
four national funds: the White Cane Fund, the Kenneth Jernigan Fund, the SUN
Fund, and the tenBroek Fund, which helps maintain our properties.

 

NATIONAL CONVENTION

 

Marilyn reminded everyone that our 2026 NFB National Convention will take
place in Austin, Texas. Room reservations can  be made after January 2.
Learn more by visiting nfb.org/convention. First-timers are welcome to apply
for assistance through the Kenneth Jernigan Fund.

 

NEW MEMBERS 

 

Jemal moved and Michal seconded welcoming Shirley Holmes, Kelly Pierce, and
Mario Valdivieso into the chapter as new members. They were all welcomed
with great enthusiasm.

 

ADVOCACY

 

Advocacy Committee Chair Kira O'Bradovitch reported on work with the Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA). It appears that RAP and TAP will be expanded. As of
February 2026 an Illinois State ID will no longer be valid for flying.
Passengers must have a Real ID or passport.

 

Last year the city launched a pilot project, taking responsibility for
clearing the sidewalks of snow. It didn't go well, and it's not clear what
will happen this year. The first accessible bus stop signs are now in place,
and we will take a look at them when the weather allows. 

 

Denise noted that audible traffic signals are being put up at several
crossings. We will try to get a list of intersections where signals are
being placed, and we will post the information on IL-Talk.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Denise announced that our January meeting tentatively will take place at
Exchequer. We will have a guest speaker from the ABLE program. 

 

Denise explained that the annual holiday auction would follow today's
business meeting, with Marilyn Green and Dustin Cather serving as
auctioneers. People on Zoom were encouraged to participate.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Marilyn moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 1:30.    

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary