News and Updates from the Illinois State Treasurer's ABLE Plan
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.
Read More “IL ABLE Connects with the Disability Community at the Chicago Abilities Expo”
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.
A new school year is an important time for families of students with disabilities to think about education, transition planning, and future financial needs. An IL ABLE disability savings account can help eligible students save for education, assistive technology, health care, transportation and other qualified disability expenses.
Here are three ways parents, guardians and educators can include IL ABLE in a student’s financial and transition planning.
Funds in an IL ABLE Account can be used to pay for Qualified Disability Expenses, which are any expenses that help to improve the health, independence, or quality of life of the Account Owner. Here are four ways to make a withdrawal request to pay for a Qualified Disability Expense.
Watch and hear how he “Makes It Happen with His IL ABLE Account.”
Meet Tom, an active IL ABLE Account Owner. He uses the funds in his Account to pay for things he needs to stay fit and healthy. Did you know that expenses for “health and wellness” are just a few of the types of “Qualified Disability Expenses” that funds in an IL ABLE Account can pay for?
Watch and hear how they “Make It Happen with Their IL ABLE Account”
IL ABLE’s “I Make It Happen with My IL ABLE Account” video campaign has launched! Six IL ABLE Account Owners share their stories about the benefits of owning an IL ABLE Account. A new video story will be released each month featuring IL ABLE Account Owners talking about how they use the money in their IL ABLE Accounts.
Read More “Service Animals: IL ABLE Account Owners Tell Their Stories”
Pisani family saves for short- and long-term disability expenses.
IL ABLE accounts can help people with disabilities save money for a variety of expenses, from everyday groceries to planning for larger purchases that improve quality of life and increase independence for the Account Owner. The editors of accessABLE News & Updates recently connected with Special Olympics Illinois athlete and IL ABLE Account Owner Louis Pisani and his mom Kish to learn about how IL ABLE helps Louis save for his future and build his independence.
Your IL ABLE Account can help you make the most out of summer.
Summer has arrived and with it, endless possibilities for summer fun! While the warm weather can mean more time outside, many activities will cost money. Whether you will be spending time at your local pool, taking a family road trip to see friends, camping at your favorite state park, or going to summer camp, your IL ABLE Account may be used to cover these expenses and help you make the most of your summer.
Save for your child’s short- and long-term needs.
Spring is in full bloom – grass is green, the trees are blossoming, and the school year is winding down. For some, this means going through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) review to reflect on the pastyear’ss accomplishments and to look ahead to the next school year. This is also a great time to review your child’s short- and long-term financial needs. For example, will they need additional therapies or educational supports in the coming year? Is transition planning within sight?
Read More “Springtime is a Great Time to Plan Ahead with IL ABLE”
This Athlete and Global Messenger is Building Physical & Financial Wellness On and Off the Field
When 21-year-old Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) Global Messenger Michael Williams collaborated on an Autism Awareness Month video, he was filling pandemic time to build communications skills while waiting to return to in-person SOILL competition. “Michael is not as interested in the virtual activities, so he is looking forward to entering more Special Olympics events in-person,” said Dawn Williams, Michael’s mom, and coach of several of Michael’s teams.
Read More “Special Olympics Illinois & IL ABLE partner to help families”