Rehabilitation Advisory Council, State
Board and Commission Details
Contact Name
Robyn Lewis
Contact Title
Manager, Workforce Development Unit, Division of Rehabilitation Services, DHS
Contact Phone
217-557-2816
Contact E-Mail
robyn.lewis@illinois.gov
Function
The Council advises the Secretary of DHS and vocational rehabilitation administrator on issues affecting individuals with disabilities and provisions for rehabilitation services.
Term
3 years and until successor is appointed and qualified. No more than 2 full terms.
Senate Confirmation
No
Qualifications
If an employee of DRS is appointed, that appointee serves as ex-officio, nonvoting member. The Chairperson and at least 12 other members of the Council shall have a recognized disability. One member shall be a senior citizen age 60 or over. A majority of the members shall not be employees of the Dept. of Human Services.
Compensation
Expenses
Composition
20 members appointed by the Governor: - 1 representative of parent training center - 1 representative of Client Assistance Program - 1 vocational rehabilitation counselor with knowledge and experience of vocational rehabilitation programs - 1 representative of community rehabilitation program service providers - 4 representatives of business, industry, and labor - at least two but not more than five representatives of disability advocacy groups including: -individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; and -parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives for individuals with disabilities who have difficulty representing themselves or who are unable, due to their disabilities, to represent themselves - 1 current or former applicant or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services - 1 representatives from secondary and higher education - 1 representative from Workforce Innovation Board -1 representative of the Illinois State Board of Education who is knowledgeable about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. - The chairperson of, or a member designated by, the Statewide Independent Living Council established under Section 12a of the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. - The chairperson of, or a member designated by, the Blind Services Planning Council established under Section of the Bureau for the Blind Act. - The vocational rehabilitation administrator, as defined in Section 1b of the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
Chair
Elected by the council
Authority
20 ILCS 5/5-550
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan, Earl | 07/01/2025 | 08/25/2023 | Governor | Member, Applicant/ Recipient of VR Services | Cook | ||
| Tsao, Grace | 07/01/2026 | 08/25/2023 | Governor | Member, Statewide Independent Living Council | Cook | ||
| Compton, Erin | 07/01/2026 | 08/25/2021 | Governor | Member, Disability Advocacy Group | Cook | ||
| Vacant | 07/01/2025 | Governor | Member, Client Assistance Program | ||||
| Hill, John D. | 06/30/2026 | 08/16/2024 | Governor | Member, Disability Advocacy Group | Cook | ||
| Henson, LaDonna | 07/01/2025 | 08/25/2023 | Governor | Member, Disability Advoacacy Group | Jackson | ||
| Vacant | 01/01/2025 | Governor | Member, Business, Industry, and Labor | ||||
| Pleasant, Shakira D. | 07/01/2026 | 08/25/2023 | Governor | Member, Secondary/ Higher Ed | Cook | ||
| McNeal, Alici | 07/01/2024 | 11/17/2023 | Governor | Member, Business, Industry & Labor | Cook | ||
| Sundquist, Jacqueline | 07/01/2025 | 08/25/2023 | Governor | Member, Disability Advocacy Group | Winnebago | ||
| Thompson, Kelsey | 07/01/2025 | 07/22/2020 | Governor | Member, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | Cook | ||
| Becker, Jonathan A. | 07/01/2026 | 06/28/2024 | Governor | Member, Comm. Rehab. Program | Madison | ||
| Vacant | Governor | Member, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board | DuPage | ||||
| Pece, Karrie | 07/01/2027 | 07/02/2024 | Governor | Member, Business, Industry & Labor | |||
| Engstrom, Tim R. | 07/01/2026 | 01/09/2023 | Governor | Member, Business, Industry & Labor | |||
| Fox-Crump, Allyson | 06/30/2026 | 02/16/2024 | Governor | Member, Disability Advocacy Group | Cook | ||
| Patrick, Rahnee K. | 07/01/2022 | 07/20/2020 | Governor | Member, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator | Cook | ||
| Vacant | Governor | Member, Blind Services Planning Council | |||||
| Vacant | Governor | Member, Disabilities Education Act expert | Cook | ||||
| Poole Mutti, Megan | 07/01/2025 | 12/01/2023 | Governor | Member, Parent Training/ Info Ctr. | Woodford |