News and Updates from the Illinois State Treasurer's ABLE Plan
Parents of a child with a disability are thinking ahead.
Alysia Townsend, parent of IL ABLE Account Owner Etienne contributes to IL ABLE Account to save for her son’s adult life. “I didn’t need to immediately focus on spending ABLE money around certain needs,” said Townsend in a recent interview with Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering stories about education. “I already had those needs met. As he gets older he needs more things and different things.”
Treasurer Frerichs leads panel at Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leadership Academy
Treasurer Frerichs moderated a lively panel discussion at the Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) Athlete Leadership Academy that focused on the benefits of working. Panelists included SOILL athletes who have disabilities and leaders from Amazon and Hyatt who focus on initiatives that support hiring people with disabilities.
One teacher’s perspective
Each week, students from across Chicago travel to Urban Autism Solutions’ Growing Solutions Farm (UAS), a 1.2-acre produce farm located in Chicago’s west side where Chicago public high school transition students with autism and related disabilities gain valuable vocational skills to help prepare for future competitive employment.
Read More “Growing Work-Ready Skills at the Growing Solutions Farm”
IL ABLE Account Owners Featured as Panelists at Arc of Illinois Annual Convention
IL ABLE Account Owners Tom and Nevit told their personal stories about pride and independence they feel by being the owners of an IL ABLE Account during the Arc of Illinois Annual Convention May 1 in Normal, IL. The pair presented the “Me and My IL ABLE Account: Self Advocates’ Perspectives” session. Tom and Nevit each shared their sense of pride and autonomy with the audience as they talked about how they “make it happen” with their IL ABLE Accounts.
Read More “Self-Advocates Speak for Themselves about IL ABLE”
Spotlight on Reveca Torres: Artist and Community Builder
IL ABLE Account Owner Reveca Torres wears many hats; she is a disability advocate, artist, filmmaker, and the founder and Executive Director of Backbones – a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with spinal cord injuries or disease connect with their communities.
In March, Reveca received an award for Outstanding Achievements in Arts and Humanities from Illinois State Treasurer Frerichs in honor of Women’s History Month. accessABLE News & Updates editors connected with Reveca recently to learn more about her work and how her IL ABLE Account helps to support her efforts.
Read More “Disability Advocate and IL ABLE Account Owner Creates Social Impact through Art”
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?
A champion of Achieving a Better Life Experience Program
Last December, the IL ABLE program lost a fierce advocate and dear friend of Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett was the original sponsor of the legislation responsible for creating the Achieving a Better Life Experience program here in Illinois. Today, the program is named the Senator Scott Bennett Illinois ABLE Program in honor of his legacy.
Read More “Treasurer Frerichs Honors Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett”
Watch and hear how Etienne’s parents are saving for his future with his IL ABLE Account
It’s never too early to start saving money for the future of a child with a disability. Etienne’s parents are thinking ahead with their son’s IL ABLE Account.
Watch how he “Makes It Happen with His IL ABLE Account”
Receiving public benefits shouldn’t be a barrier to working. Check out Michael’s story: he works and maintains his benefits while saving money with his IL ABLE Account.
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.