Skip to Content

Illinois Board, Commission, Task Force and Council List

Boards and Commissions Detail | Skip to Member Names | View all Boards and Commissions

Title:Rehabilitation Advisory Council, State
Website:State Rehabilitation Advisory Council
Contact Name:Sherry Sparks
Contact Title:Manager, Workforce Development Unit, Division of Rehabilitation Services, DHS
Contact Phone:217-557-2816
Contact E-Mail:sherry.sparks@illinois.gov
Contact Comments:Manager, Workforce Development Unit Division of Rehabilitation Services 100 South Grand Ave. East, PO Box 19429 Springfield, IL 62794-0429 217/ 557.2816 (V) 217-577.8454 (C)
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 (Last, First)Term ExpiresMember SinceAffiliationAppointed ByPositionTitleCounty
Blank, Katherine Elizabeth7/1/20227/17/2020GovernorMember, Disability Advoacacy GroupCook
Compton, Erin7/1/20238/25/2021GovernorMember, Disability Advocacy GroupCook
Einhorn, Debbie7/1/20227/2/2020GovernorMember, Parent Training/ Info Ctr.Effingham
Engstrom, Tim R.7/1/20261/9/2023GovernorMember, Business, Industry & Labor
Fitzpatrick, Colleen7/1/202110/24/2018GovernorMember, Disability Advocacy GroupCook
Fred, Matthew7/1/20227/1/2016GovernorMember, Applicant/ Recipient of VR ServicesJackson
Friedman, David7/1/20233/13/2020GovernorMember, Illinois Workforce Innovation BoardDuPage
Gould, Robert7/1/20238/25/2021GovernorMember, Secondary/ Higher EdNone
Hawkins, Daniel7/1/20227/17/2020GovernorMember, Blind Services Planning CouncilSt Clair
Henson, LaDonna7/1/20227/1/2016GovernorChair, Business, Industry, and LaborJackson
Jackson, Hershel6/30/20237/22/2020GovernorMember, Disability Advocacy GroupRock Island
Lulinski, Amie7/1/20237/8/2022GovernorMember, Disability Advocacy GroupCook
McKeever, Melynda7/1/20217/1/2015GovernorMember, Business, Industry & LaborFulton
Montgomery, Cynthia7/1/202111/18/2020GovernorMember, Business, Industry & LaborCook
Moore, Barbara7/1/20237/17/2020GovernorMember, Disabilities Education Act expertChampaign
Patrick, Rahnee K.7/1/20227/20/2020GovernorMember, Vocational Rehabilitation AdministratorCook
Richardson, Dawn M.7/1/20228/7/2017GovernorMember, Statewide Independent Living CouncilSangamon
Thompson, Kelsey7/1/20227/22/2020GovernorMember, Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorCook
VACANT7/1/2022GovernorMember, Client Assistance ProgramBlank
Wright, Tracy7/1/20235/17/2022GovernorMember, Comm. Rehab. ProgramPeoria