mother and child at desk
Eligibility/News/Treasurer Michael Frerichs

Treasurer Frerichs Partners with Illinois State Board of Education to Expand IL ABLE Awareness

New law requires Illinois public schools to share information at annual IEP meetings.

It’s back to school! Did you know that, with this new school year, parents and guardians of Illinois public school students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) must now receive information about IL ABLE Accounts during their students’ annual IEP meetings?

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to ensure that the estimated 290,000 Illinois public school students who have IEPs – many of whom are eligible to own an IL ABLE Account –will receive information about IL ABLE Accounts at every annual IEP meeting. This is thanks to legislation, sponsored by Sen. David Koehler of Peoria and Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar of Bolingbrook, which passed unanimously with bipartisan support.

Read More “Treasurer Frerichs Partners with Illinois State Board of Education to Expand IL ABLE Awareness”

True Stories/Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger Achieves More with her IL ABLE Account

IL ABLE will cheer on Account Owner athletes and all the teams competing at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Bloomington-Normal, IL.

Our editors connected with IL ABLE Account Owner and Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger and athlete Zinyra “Z” Ross and her mom, Simyra. During the interview, Z shared how being a participant and owning her IL ABLE Account boosts her continued achievements as an entrepreneur, artist, disability community advocate, and volunteer.

Read More “Special Olympics Illinois Global Messenger Achieves More with her IL ABLE Account”

Events/Treasurer Michael Frerichs/True Stories

Treasurer Michael Frerichs Visits the Ray Graham Association

In March, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs stopped by the Ray Graham Association to meet with some of the disability services organization’s staff, leadership, and clients who are also IL ABLE Account owners. It was a wonderful visit that provided an opportunity to talk about programs like IL ABLE and the importance of financial literacy.

Read More “Treasurer Michael Frerichs Visits the Ray Graham Association”

Financial Literacy/Treasurer Michael Frerichs

It’s Financial Literacy Month: Commit – or Re-commit – to Your Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is important for people with disabilities!

When people with disabilities think about financial wellness, they sometimes concentrate solely on federal benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. However, there are other things they can also consider when building a strong financial future, such as saving for an emergency or making a budget. The Illinois Treasurer’s Office offers tools that can help people with and without disabilities as they build financial practices and skills. Read on to learn things that might help you during this Financial Literacy Month.

Read More “It’s Financial Literacy Month: Commit – or Re-commit – to Your Financial Wellness”

True Stories

Remembering Judy Heumann   

Disability rights leader blazed trails for people with disabilities

IL ABLE honors the life and legacy of disability rights advocate Judy Heumann, who passed away on March 4 at age 75. Judy was a trailblazer for people with disabilities. Widely recognized as the mother of the disability rights movement, she dedicated her life to advocating for people with disabilities.

Read More “Remembering Judy Heumann   “