Illinois ABLE News & Updates

Treasurer Michael Frerichs visits Urban Autism Solutions

October 18, 2024October 18, 2024 illinoistreasurer

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Mother nature delivered a picture-perfect day for Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs visit to Urban Autism Solutions’ Growing Solutions Farm in Chicago earlier this month. During the visit, which was in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Treasurer Frerichs learned how students with autism build important vocational skills through working on the Farm.

Account Management/Contributions

5 Tips for Contributing to an IL ABLE Account

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 illinoistreasurer

It’s easy for New Account Owners and Authorized Individuals to make savings happen.

New Account Owners and their Authorized Individuals often ask how to make contributions to their new IL ABLE Account. Here are five easy and convenient options to start contributing:

Account Management/News

Great News for Account Owners!

August 13, 2024September 9, 2024 illinoistreasurer

IL ABLE Account Owners will notice a lower Annual Account Maintenance Fee on the quarterly statement starting January!

Father and son with disability walking in park

Special Education

Back to School

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024 illinoistreasurer

IL ABLE & IEPs

The excitement of a new school year is upon us! As students with disabilities prepare their school bags for the start of a new academic year, their parents and guardians may be thinking about how to prepare for their students’ financial futures.

August 14 is National ABLE Savings Day

August 13, 2024August 13, 2024 illinoistreasurer

Today is the first National ABLE Savings Day which recognizes the importance of ABLE savings and investment programs to Americans living with disabilities and their families. ABLE Account Owners and their supporters are celebrating greater financial independence thanks to ABLE programs across the nation, including right here in Illinois with the IL ABLE program.

Events

Celebrating Disability Pride this July

July 19, 2024July 18, 2024 illinoistreasurer

The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 34!

Disability pride is not something that happened overnight for me. For a long time after my injury I felt shame and like I was a burden. Over time, as I made an effort to connect with other people with disabilities, I came to value my community and admire so many disability leaders that are unapologetic and lead with care and kindness. That is what pride means to me: community, care and love…individually and collectively.

Reveca, IL ABLE Account Owner

IL ABLE salutes Reveca and all people with disabilities during this Disability Pride Month! July is a central month for people with and without disabilities to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and disability pride. Across the country, people with disabilities and their allies honor the achievements, contributions, struggles, culture and pride of the disability community.

ABLE Facts

What about Medicaid Recovery?

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 illinoistreasurer

Question: Can Medicaid recover – or “claw-back” – assets from an ABLE account after an Account Owner passes away?

ABLE Facts/Account Management

Five Things to Know About IL ABLE Accounts after the Death of an Account Beneficiary

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 illinoistreasurer

It’s one of the questions asked most frequently about IL ABLE Accounts: “What happens to the IL ABLE Account when an Account Owner passes away?” While it’s not something anyone likes to think about, it is important to know what happens to an IL ABLE Account when an Account Owner passes away and what steps to take. And we have some answers.

Banner with images of IL ABLE account owners

Events/IL ABLE Account Owner/True Stories

Self-Advocates Speak for Themselves about IL ABLE

May 17, 2024May 17, 2024 illinoistreasurer

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.

Events/Treasurer Michael Frerichs/True Stories/Uncategorized

Disability Advocate and IL ABLE Account Owner Creates Social Impact through Art

April 22, 2024May 8, 2024 illinoistreasurer

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.