Blind Services Planning Council
Board and Commission Details
Website
Contact Name
Sharon Howerton
Contact E-Mail
shrnhow@gmail.com
Function
Reviews actions of the DHS Bureau for the Blind; facilitates communication and cooperation between department and all agencies responsible for services to blind and visually impaired persons; identifies needs and problems of such persons; makes recommendations to Bureau director, Department director and the Governor.
Term
3 years. Maximum of 2 terms.
Senate Confirmation
No
Qualifications
At least 6 members must be blind and a balance maintained between males and females. No department employee shall be a member of the Council.
Composition
11 members appointed by the Governor: The Council shall elect a chairperson and a recording secretary from its members. Members may be drawn from specific organizations including: -Hadley School for the Blind -Chicago Lighthouse -Department-approved Low Vision Aides Clinics -Vending facilities operators -Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and -Visually Impaired -Blind homemakers -Outstanding competitive employers of blind people -Providers and recipients of income maintenance programs -In-home care programs -Subsidized housing -Nursing homes and homes for the blind
Chair
Elected by board
Authority
20 ILCS 2410/7
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darnell, Jacqueline | 01/01/2021 | 11/07/2018 | Governor | Member | Madison | ||
| Birmingham, Edward | 01/01/2022 | 07/01/2016 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Hill, Whitney | 01/01/2023 | 10/14/2020 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Esparza, Horacio | 01/01/2023 | 10/26/2020 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Hawkins, Daniel | 01/01/2023 | 09/21/2020 | Governor | Member | St. Clair | ||
| Holtgreve, John | 01/01/2025 | 02/03/2023 | Governor | Member | Randolph | ||
| Howerton, Sharon | 01/01/2022 | 03/31/2017 | Governor | Chair, Member | Cook | ||
| Cather, Dustin | 01/01/2025 | 01/28/2022 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Gordon, Freddie | 01/01/2022 | 09/25/2020 | Governor | Member | Champaign | ||
| Tevelde, Daniel | 01/01/2024 | 01/22/2021 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Ely, Mindy | 01/01/2022 | 09/21/2020 | Governor | Member | Sangamon |