Statewide Independent LivingCouncil of Illinois
Statewide Independent LivingOur mission is to provide leadership, research, planning and education required to support independent living services in Illinois.
SILC achieves its mission by:
SILC Activities include:
SILC works to expand and support existing CILs and develop new programs in unserved and underserved areas.
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois (SILC), formed in 1993, is a not-for-profit statewide planning organization. The Federal Rehabilitation Act requires each state to create an autonomous Statewide Independent Living Council to develop a state plan for independent living services and Centers for Independent Living.
SILC develops the State Plan jointly with the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services in Illinois. SILC is not a service provider, nor does it fund or monitor services. SILC is a planning body.
The State Plan develops a strategy to ensure these activities occur statewide:
We see an Illinois where persons with disabilities are independent, in control of their lives and free from barriers to full participation in society.
We promise to persons with disabilities that we will provide leadership in the planning activities and advocacy vital to improving their ability to live independently and participate fully in society.
We promise to Centers for Independent Living that we will provide the training, research and comprehensive planning documents necessary to support the continued development of independent living services and Centers for Independent Living throughout Illinois.
We promise to decision-makers that we will provide authoritative, reliable information necessary to evaluate policy options and to guide the allocation of resources required to allow persons with disabilities to live independently.
We promise to the general public that we will pursue our mission in an open, honest and responsible manner, and that we will provide the public education necessary to ensure adequate independent living services for citizens with disabilities in Illinois.
SILC members are volunteers appointed by the Governor. A majority of voting members must be persons with disabilities who do not work for state agencies or Centers for Independent Living. Members are from all regions of the state, represent a broad range of disabilities, and are knowledgeable about Centers for Independent Living and independent Living services.
Voting members include persons with disabilities, parents, advocates, and representatives from private business, organizations serving persons with disabilities, and CILs. Non-voting members represent state agencies that provide services to persons with disabilities.
OPERATIONS:
Chair: Gail Kear
Members:
- Willie Gunther
- Judy Panko Reis
PLANNING:
Chair: Mark Karner
Members:
- Dave Dailey
- Catrina Johnson
- Barbara Prichard
OUTREACH:
Chair: Anel Gonzalez
Members:
- Terry Gipson
- Dawn Lucasey
- Jose Mendez
- Ruth Thompson
PROGRAMS:
Chair: Liz Sherwin
Members:
- Pam Heavens
- John Miller
- Ken Williams
CILs are local not-for-profit service and advocacy organizations. The majority of CIL's board of directors are persons with disabilities. CILs are non-residential, community based, cross-disability organizations. They serve all persons with disabilities regardless of age, gender, race, disability and religion.
CILs embrace the following Independent Living philosophy: All persons, regardless of disability, have the right and the responsibility to make their own choices, to live as independently as possible in the community, and to participate as full and equal citizens in their communities and in society. CILs advance this philosophy through advocacy, education, and services.
Illinois CILs provide a variety of independent living services. The core independent living services provided by all CILs are:
Depending on the needs of the community, individual CILs may also provide:
Through the state plan, SILC works to expand existing Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and independent living services. SILC also supports the development of new programs where services are not currently available. The Council works to ensure that independent living services and CILs are accessible by all persons with disabilities.
SILC defines "access" as programs, services and activities that are free of geographic, cultural, attitudinal, physical, and communication barriers.
There are many ways to learn more about our activities and to get involved with the disability rights movement. These include:
For more information contact us.
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois
is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate
on the basis of age, gender, race, disability or religion in its programs and activities.
Home | Contact Us | About SILC | State Plan | Member Bios | Meeting Schedule | Meeting Minutes | Position Papers | People with Disabilities and the Workplace | Centers for Independent Living in IL | Youth Summit | Media Releases-Articles | Outreach Manual | Links
