The Arc of Illinois
The Arc of Illinois is the state’s leading grassroots advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices. With a strong network of self-advocates, families, providers, and allies, The Arc works to ensure that every person has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community.
For over 70 years, The Arc of Illinois has been advocating with people with disabilities, families, and community organizations to make Illinois a place where people with disabilities can live, work, learn, play, and love in communities across the state.
We believe people with disabilities should be full participants in community life, and we offer families and individuals the information, resources, family support, and training needed to reach their goals.
Samantha Alloway
Samantha Alloway is the Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois and a passionate, results-driven leader in disability rights, government relations, and strategic advocacy. She currently serves as Chair of the HFS Autism Work Group within the Medicaid Advisory Committee and was appointed by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch to the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination.
Samantha’s leadership is deeply rooted in personal experience. A mother of three, her advocacy took on new urgency when her middle son was diagnosed with autism at age three. That moment ignited her lifelong commitment to amplifying the voices of individuals with disabilities and transforming policy at both the state and federal levels to drive meaningful change.
One of her proudest moments this year was being quoted in Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Executive Order protecting Illinois from the creation of an autism registry - a moment that held deep personal significance. For Samantha, this wasn’t just policy, it was about protecting the rights, dignity, and future of her own child, and every family like hers across Illinois.
The Arc Events
News and Headlines
Date: Monday, March 3, Time: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Mental Health & Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities
This presentation explores mental health supports in education, including social-emotional learning, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, counseling services, crisis intervention, and advocacy within the IEP process to promote student well-being and academic success.
Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/regist…/WN_8qLPbdLORSGWXaYAH6bSmA…
Intervención Temprana y Educación Especial de la Primera Infancia en Illinois
Esta sesión revisa los servicios para niños desde el nacimiento hasta los cinco años, incluyendo la Intervención Temprana de la Parte C y la Educación Especial Preescolar de la Parte B. Aprenda sobre los hitos del desarrollo, los procesos de evaluación, las diferencias entre el IFSP y el IEP, la planificación de la transición y las prácticas centradas en la familia.
Resitrarse: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/regist…/WN_k3wwASRuQsSEnXwowyKOoQ…
Charting the LifeCourse Monthly Lunch & Learn Series: Integrated Supports Star
This presentation explores the Integrated Supports Star, a practical tool within the Charting the LifeCourse framework. Through guided discussion and applied activities, participants will identify the five categories of supports, examine the risks of relying on a single type of support, map life domains for a student or young adult with a disability, and identify gaps where additional supports can strengthen long-term quality of life.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/me…/register/S4c4xLVWR_GvV3D0oPtxJQ…
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC) offers presentations that educate and empower parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. Presentations explain special education rights, services, and transition planning, support meaningful family-school collaboration, and help parents become informed participants so students have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
This special event is thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. To help ensure a calm and comfortable experience for everyone, we will offer timed entry to manage crowd sizes throughout the event.
Guests will enjoy:
Photos with the Easter Bunny
Fun, engaging sensory-friendly activities
A supportive, relaxed atmosphere for the whole family
Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your tickets soon!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asci-sensory-friendly-easter-e…
Brochure: https://qr.link/OGF4Na
This annual seminar is designed to empower families with practical information and tools to navigate systems, plan for the future, and stay informed about policies and programs impacting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Illinois.
