Illinois ABLE News & Updates - News and Updates from the Illinois State Treasurer's ABLE Plan

True Stories/Employment/Events/IL ABLE Account Owner

IL ABLE Account Owner Shares Her Story at This Year’s Speak Up, Speak Out Summit

September 9, 2026September 9, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Self-advocate, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Member, and IL ABLE Account Owner Bridget Brown is a powerhouse. An actor and keynote speaker, Bridget also co-founded Butterflies for Change, an organization dedicated to advocating for inclusive communities and expanding access to inclusion support – to name just a few of her accomplishments.

At the 2026 Speak Up, Speak Out Summit in Bloomington, IL, the IL ABLE team had the opportunity to sit down with Bridget and her mom, Nancy, to talk about Bridget’s experience with her IL ABLE account and what financial independence means to her. Enjoy reading!

Events/News

Celebrate Illinois ABLE Savings Day

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026 illinoistreasurer

August 14, 2026, is Illinois ABLE Savings Day – How can you celebrate?

Illinois Public Schools/News/School Districts/Students with IEPs/Students with Section 504 plans

It’s the Law – IL ABLE and students with Section 504 plans & IEPs

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Starting this school year, all Illinois K – 12 public schools are required to share information about IL ABLE accounts with parents and guardians of all students who have Section 504 plan.

Events/News/Uncategorized

Disability Pride Month and Financial Independence with IL ABLE

July 16, 2026July 31, 2026 illinoistreasurer

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history, achievements, and diversity of people with disabilities. The month also recognizes the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Events/Abilities Expo/Disability Expenses

IL ABLE Connects with the Disability Community at the Chicago Abilities Expo

June 24, 2026July 30, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Thanks to the hundreds of visitors who stopped by the IL ABLE table at last weekend’s Abilities Expo!

A big shout-out to IL ABLE Account Owners and panelists at the workshop: Bradley Westmaas, Michele Westmaas, Dan McConchie, and Carla Vassilos. Thank you for sharing your stories and insights, and for answering questions.

Abilities Expo/Disability Expenses/Events/News/Treasurer Michael Frerichs

Find us at the Abilities Expo!

May 19, 2026July 17, 2026 illinoistreasurer

The Chicago Abilities Expo comes to town June 12-14, 2026, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.

Join Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Friday, June 12, at 11 am as he cuts the ribbon to open the show. After the ribbon cutting, stop by booth #508 to learn how to open an IL ABLE Account to save and invest to pay for many of the products featured at the Abilities Expo. Grab some IL ABLE swag while you are there.

Events/Account Management/Contributions/Uncategorized

National ABLE to Save Month

April 17, 2026July 30, 2026 illinoistreasurer

How can you bolster your IL ABLE Account?

April is Your ABLE to Save Month – a great time to grow your IL ABLE Account and build your financial awareness and wellness. Here are four actions you can take to make the most of ABLE to Save Month:

Read More “National ABLE to Save Month”

True Stories/ABLE Age Adjustment/IL ABLE Account Owner

Account Owner Shares Her IL ABLE Age Adjustment Story

March 24, 2026July 30, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Carla Vassilos is a busy wife and mom of twin boys. She is also an IL ABLE Account Owner thanks to the recent expansion in the ABLE age eligibility criteria, making ABLE accounts available to people whose disabilities began before age 46 (up from before age 26). accessABLE News & Updates editors connected with Carla to learn how her IL ABLE Account helps her put money aside for her disability expenses.

Treasurer Frerichs and IL ABLE Account Owners, and Organizational Representatives

Events/ABLE Age Adjustment/Eligibility/News/Treasurer Michael Frerichs

Stop the Presses! “This is a Game Changer…”

March 24, 2026July 30, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Millions More Now ABLE-Eligible

New IL ABLE Account Owners, the Chicago Lighthouse, Access Living, and Professor Harold Pollak of the University of Chicago joined Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs to celebrate ABLE age expansion at a March 9 news conference.

Banner with images of IL ABLE account owners

ABLE Facts/News

Meet IL ABLE’s New Enrollment Specialist

February 18, 2026July 30, 2026 illinoistreasurer

Hello! I’m Elizabeth Hamilton, the new Enrollment Specialist on the IL ABLE team.

I am here to support you on your pathway to opening an IL ABLE Account for yourself or for someone with a disability that you assist.