[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, December 2025

Wed Jan 7 16:34:59 UTC 2026

Dear Debbie,

Thanks for the excellent minutes. I have one question. When you reported the issue about snow removal, do we know exactly what didn't go well. I dealt with this issue when I worked in Oak Brook. I ran into a dangerous situation every winter when I had to deal with high snowbanks between my bus stop and the bus. There was no sidewalk. Neither Pace nor the village of Oak Brook was willing to do anything even when I pointed out that the situation could have resulted in a serious accident and lawsuit. Is there anything we can do? I'm not aware of any legal mandate to keep sidewalks clear but I think it's a good idea. I don't live in Chicago but I could try making sure people in my neighborhood clear the sidewalk.

Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf of Deborah Kent Stein via IL-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 9:19 PM
To: il-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: dkent5817 at att.net
Subject: [IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, December 2025

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

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