The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) is excited to share information about the 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan. The final draft plan was approved by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities on May 28, 2026.  

Every Developmental Disabilities Council is required by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to create a Five-Year State Plan. This plan helps guide how the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities will use its resources, leadership, and systems change work to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families across Illinois over the next five years.

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities built this plan over the last year with input from self-advocates, families, providers, community partners, state agencies, and Council members. The process of building the Five-Year State Plan included a 45-Day Public Comment Period. The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities was happy to receive many comments from the community during this 45-Day period. Most feedback supported the direction and intent of the plan.

As a next step, the ICDD Council approved plan will be submitted to the Administration for Community Living on August 15, 2026. ICDD will also share information with our broader network to ensure they are informed about the approved final draft plan, the public input process, and next steps for implementation.

ICDD Salutes Janinna Hendricks

On May 28, 2026, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities met in Springfield, Illinois for a quarterly meeting. Following the meeting, ICDD celebrated the career and contributions of Janinna Hendricks, the Associate Director of Finance and Operations for ICDD. Ms. Hendricks is retiring after 39 years of service with ICDD. The celebration included a letter from Governor JB Pritzker. In this picture, Ryan Croke, the First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health & Human Services, presents the Governor's letter to Ms. Hendricks.

ICDD Council Member visits Capitol Hill

The week of May 11, ICDD Council Member Curtis Harris was in Washington, DC to attend the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Annual Conference. The AAPD Conference included two days of visits to Capitol Hill, where Mr. Harris joined others and met with members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The groups discussed a number of issues impacting the disability community in Illinois and around the country. This includes protecting Home and Community-Based Services and ensuring that people with disabilities may continue to live and participate in inclusive communities.

This photo includes Mr. Harris with other advocates attending the AAPD Conference and with staff members of Senator Tammy Duckworth inside Senator Duckworth's office.

In January 2025, Governor Pritzker signed the Dignity in Pay Act (DIP Act) into law. The law will phase out the use of subminimum wage for people with disabilities in Illinois by December 31, 2029.

The law also requires the development of a Multi-Year Plan (MYP). ICDD, in partnership with the Employment and Economic Opportunities for People with Disabilities Task Force, led the creation of the DIP Act MYP.  The MYP includes 46 recommendations to help Illinois expand competitive integrated employment and other meaningful community participation for people with disabilities in Illinois. It also focuses on State agency and 14(c) provider transformation. 14(c) Providers are providers that pay people with disabilities subminimum wage.

To help put the MYP into action, ICDD launched the From Promise to Progress: Advancing the Dignity in Pay Act Through Technical Assistance Project. Through this project,

Economic Systems Inc. and a team of national subject matter experts are working with the 59 Illinois providers that currently hold 14(c) certificates. All providers have access to group training, resources, and technical assistance. Eighteen providers that need additional support are also receiving up to 25 hours of individualized technical assistance to help them develop and implement plans for transitioning away from subminimum wage.

The project also supports state agencies as they implement recommendations from the MYP. This work includes improving coordination across agencies, identifying system barriers, strengthening data collection, and developing tools and resources to support long-term success.

Together, the DIP Act, MYP, and the technical assistance project are helping Illinois build a stronger employment system where people with disabilities have greater access to competitive integrated employment and fair wages.

On April 15, 2026, The Arc of Illinois, Access Living, and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities were in Springfield, Illinois for an Advocacy Day. On the Advocacy Day, people with developmental disabilities, family members, and allies broke into teams and met with Illinois legislators and legislative staff. Teams talked about the need to protect Home and Community-Services in Illinois. Home and Community-Based Services support the inclusion, participation and health of people with developmental disabilities. Teams also talked about key legislation that impacts the Developmental Disabilities Community in Illinois.

If you would like to know about future advocacy days, send an email to Gary Arnold (Gary.Arnold@Illinois.gov) at ICDD.

ICDD recognizes Healthcare Anniversary

On Monday, March 23, 2026, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted an event in Springfield to recognize the 16th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. The event brought attention to the important role played by the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. ICDD hosted the event as a coalition member of Protect Our Care Illinois. Protect Our Care Illinois is a statewide coalition working to protect and strengthen healthcare for communities across Illinois. Citizen Action was the lead organizer of the Springfield event and five other events around Illinois.

At the Springfield event on March 23, ICDD Council Member John Pashedag and ICDD Director Kimberley Mercer-Schleider spoke about the essential role Medicaid plays for thousands of people in Illinois. Mr. Pashedag and Ms. Mercer-Scheilder were joined by Jorge Arteaga, the Midwest Advocacy Manager for the Young Invincibles, a non-profit that amplifies the voices of young adults. Mr. Arteaga spoke about the Young Invincibles' work to organize young adults to advocate for stronger healthcare.

The event on March 23 was covered by The Illinois Times. Click on the link below for the story.

ICDD Council Meetings

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities hosts quarterly Council meetings. The next meeting is in August. The meetings are open to the public. Visit the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Calendar of Events Website Page to register to attend. This page also includes information about ICDD Committees and other events on the ICDD Calendar.

ICDD Mission: We help lead change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.

This communication is supported in part by grant number CFDA 93.630 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.