[IL-Talk] [IABS-Talk] NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes, August 2026

Mon Sep 7 14:14:15 UTC 2026

2 items:
The donation page for Coast to Coast is https://nfb.org/contribute/c2c
You have "still Louis" for Saint Louis. 

Thx for these. 

Patti Chang 
2nd Vice President 
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 
773-307-6440 
https://nfbofillinois.org
Pronouns: she, her, hers 

-----Original Message-----
From: IABS-Talk <iabs-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent Stein via IABS-Talk
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 6:16 PM
To: 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List' <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: dkent5817 at att.net; 'Illinois Association of Blind Students List' <iabs-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [IABS-Talk] NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes, August 2026

CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

August 8, 2026

Exchequer Pub and Restaurant

226 S. Wabash

Chicago, IL

CALL TO ORDER

Chicago Chapter President Dustin Cather called the meeting to order at 1 PM.
The meeting began with introductions of everyone present in person and on Zoom, followed by the NFB Pledge.

PROGRAM

Molly Poppe from the Chicago Transit Authority spoke about developments with CTA that affect blind travelers. CTA is very committed to improving Braille and audio signage. The Mystery Rider program allows riders to report problems, such as drivers turning off audible announcements. CTA needs to upgrade the PA system in all of the stations. Bike lanes are a serious problem for blind pedestrians. CTA is trying to work on this. 

Molly Poppe can be reached at mpoppe at transitchicago.com or 312-888-1761. She welcomes our input. 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

NFB President Mark Riccobono delivered Presidential Release 522 on July 30.
He thanked everyone who worked on our 2026 National Convention, especially our Texas affiliate. At Convention we passed Resolution 26:01, regarding the Texas vs. Kennedy case. Seven affiliate presidents went to the attorney general's office, encouraging the Texas attorney general to withdraw from the case. That has not happened yet, but four other states have quietly
withdrawn: Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Montana. Alaska and Florida are still involved.

Blind Equality Achievement Month is coming up in October. Visit nfb.org/movers to learn about the Coast to Coast Movement Challenge. We can celebrate White Cane Awareness Day, October 15, in many different ways. Many chapters engage local authorities by getting proclamations. Meet and greet community events are great outreach tools. We can do presentations at schools and community centers. 

At the end of October every chapter should identify a goal for the coming year, such as improving transportation or working on pedestrian safety. Be creative and positive! Learn more by visiting nfb.org/blind-month. Share activities by writing to web at nfb.org <mailto:web at nfb.org> , and they will be posted on the Meet the Blind Month page. 

VISION EXPO

Blind Services Chicago will host its annual Vision Expo on October 27 at
2221 N. Paulina. This is a resource fair for blind and low-vision individuals. The Chicago Chapter will have a table, hosted by Michelle Ault.
She has done a great job of recruiting volunteers. Reach out to Michelle if you'd like to sign up for a shift. 

COAST TO COAST WALK

Since coordinator Patti Chang was not present, Denise Avant explained that the Coast to Coast walk will take place in Millennium Park on October 3, beginning at 10 AM. Glenn, Nickie, and Dustin will scope out the route. This is an important fundraiser, and it's also a chance for us to get to know one another. If you'd like to walk or participate in some other way, reach out to Patti at 773-307-6440 or pattischang at gmail.com. Encourage donations from friends and family. Ask people to donate at nfb.org/contribute/coast2coast.
After the walk we will gather for lunch at Exchequer. Debbie Pittman will again make sashes for people who walk.

STATE PRESIDENT's REPORT

NFBI President Marilyn Green thanked everyone who was able to attend the NFB National Convention in Austin, Texas. In two years we'll host convention here in Chicago! 

Next week, August 15, we will hold our STEM2U program. We will be at the Hyatt Regency in Lisle, our convention hotel. We have five students registered, and some great volunteers. The students will solve a mystery related to DNA and strawberries. The following day, August 16, we will have our summer board meeting. The agenda is jam-packed. Marilyn will post it on Monday.

State convention will take place October 23-25, also at the Hyatt Regency in Lisle. Make your hotel reservations NOW! Information is available at nfb.org/convention. Pleas use the phone number on the webpage! Don't call the hotel directly, as it will not fulfill our room obligation! If you have ideas for convention items or a convention theme, please email Marilyn at president at nfbofillinois.org. There will be breakout sessions, exhibits, Illinois's Got Talent, and much more.

On Sunday morning we will again have our Philosophy Breakfast. Jesse Shirek will be our national representative.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Denise urged everyone to reach out to our US senators regarding the Removing Barriers to Work Act, HR 884. It passed in the House, and it has moved on to the Senate. The bill allows the Social Security Administration to come up with projects that will facilitate people with disabilities returning to the workforce. It would incorporate much of the material from the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. It's a phase-out of the earnings cliff for SSDI recipients. 

Right now Congress is at home. They don't go back to Washington until after Labor Day. Now is the time to reach out to our senators and urge them to sponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, the Access Technology Affordability Act, and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. We urge them to leave a legacy by supporting our bills.

Our merchants won a significant  victory in the district court regarding the administration's handling of the Randolph-Shepard program on military bases.
Our advocacy is in play, and it does make a difference!

SECRETARY's MINUTES

Jemal moved and Ken Borst seconded approval of the June secretary's minutes.
The minutes were approved.

TREASURER's SUMMARY

Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch reported that in the second quarter of 2026 the Chicago Chapter began with a balance of $4497.20. It ended with $4480.20. We deposited $933 from fundraisers, donations, and dues. Expenses included our monthly contributions to the NFB's national programs and funds. Denise moved and Jemal seconded approval of the Second Quarter Treasurer's Report. The report was approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advocacy: Kira reported that in the morning the committee hosted a tour of three signage locations at public transit stops. People looked at bus stop signs and crossed Wabash using the audible traffic signal. There will be a Zoom meeting on August 10. The committee is trying to form coalitions with other organizations. 

Fundraising: Dave Meyer reported that the chapter will host a bowling fundraiser on August 22 from 2 to 4 pm. The price of admission is $35. The event will take place at the Fireside Bowl at 2648 West Fullerton. 

NEW MEMBERS

Annelise Day and Seyoon Choi, formerly from Still. Louis, became new members of the Chicago Chapter. Annelise is a recent college graduate looking for a job. Seyoon will be a disability services coordinator at St. Xavier University. 

OLD BUSINESS    

Marilyn announced that Chappell-Dennis applications are open for anyone who wants financial assistance to attend state convention. The application deadline is 11:59 pm on September 1. September 15 is the deadline for room reservations.

NEW BUSINESS

Jemal noted that the PACE route near the Lisle Hyatt does not run on Sundays. Dustin thanked the Blind Merchants for their contribution to the bowling fundraiser. 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary

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