Author Archives: garnold

Progress Center mourns Larry Biondi

Progress Center is devastated by the loss of Larry Biondi.  Larry died on the afternoon of June 28.  The organization’s longest serving employee, Larry worked at Progress Center for 28 years. As the Advocacy Manager, Larry led the Progress Center Community Organizers, and he organized and implemented strategies to improve housing, transportation, public access and health care for the disability community.  Larry also was well known for Progress Center’s Legislative Training Course.  Larry and his team offered the course twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  The course met once a week over the course of ten weeks, culminating in a trip to Springfield, where students from the course met with Illinois State Politicians and their staff, and applied the skills they learned during the training.

A person with a disability, Larry hired and managed his own personal assistants.  The personal assistants provided support with essential tasks like getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, cleaning, cooking and eating.  At work, Progress Center personal assistants supported Larry so that he Larry could focus on his job.  Perhaps as much as anyone else, Larry knew the essential link between accommodations and independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.  Without personal assistants, Larry would not have been able to live on his own. Understanding that link, Larry never stopped fighting to strengthen and build systems of community services so that all people with disabilities had the opportunity to access services and live independently.   In addition to his nine to five job at Progress Center, Larry put in just as many hours with Chicago ADAPT, a grass roots disability advocacy organization, and with National ADAPT.  Larry went to hundreds of local and national ADAPT demonstrations, participating in civil disobedience when local, regional, and national entities failed to recognize the needs and rights of people with disabilities.

Larry rarely turned down an opportunity to speak to a group of students, join a coalition, or attend a meeting, so long as he had a chance to raise awareness about disability, learn more about issues, and empower other people with disabilities.

At the front end of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Larry actively engaged in two new coalitions, and remained committed to the coalitions throughout the pandemic. As a member of the PPE for People with Disabilities Coalition, Larry joined the effort to ensure that people with disabilities in Chicagoland and their personal assistants had access to personal protective equipment.  With the Institutional Rescue and Recovery Coalition, Larry advocated for residents of long-term facilities, who suffered an alarming mortality rate during the Covid-19 crisis.

Larry will be missed sorely by his family, by his friends, by his peers, by his co-workers, and by thousands of people in the disability community, who, whether they know it or not, were touched by Larry’s work and commitment to disability inclusion.

As details become available, we will share information about funeral services.

New Cook County Renter Rights & Protections Take Effect June 1
Ordinance extends protections to more than 200,000 renters

CHICAGO – On June 1, 2021, all provisions of the Cook County Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RTLO) will go into effect. The ordinance extends housing protections to renters and landlords in more than 245,000 suburban households.

“Substandard housing can cause an array of serious health conditions,” explains Jenna Prochaska, Health Justice Project at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. “This ordinance creates critical safeguards to help curb dangerous conditions–an important step to protect the health of vulnerable tenants in the Cook County suburbs.”

Renters with low income are more likely to fall into or deeper into financial insecurity as a result of unfair late fees, a landlord’s refusal to return a security deposit, a landlord disguising a security deposit as a move-in fee, or taking a landlord to court.

The RTLO creates consistent countywide rules for tenants and landlords, establishes basic expectations for decent behavior and healthy living conditions, and clarifies rules, making it easier for everyone to follow them.

The Cook County Regional Tenant Landlord Ordinance:

• Bans unlawful lockouts
  * Restricts retaliatory conduct and undisclosed landlord entry
• Protects owners against property destruction and abandonment
• Provides consistency on how and when landlords can safely evict renters
• Prohibits lease terms that waive written notices, rights to a trial, and disclosures
• Blocks landlords from charging exorbitant late rent fees
• Improves procedures for completing minor repairs in a timely manner
• Guarantees fair security deposit returns
• Prevents nontransparent move-in charges
• Defends tenants from landlord retaliation
• Allows landlords a two-business day right to cure noncompliance with leases

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass the ordinance on January 28, 2021. Cook County Commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison were chief sponsors of the ordinance, which was first introduced in July 2020. The commissioners worked with housing advocates, tenants’ rights and legal aid groups, as well as landlord, realtor and property owners’ groups to build support and consensus for the ordinance, and the final legislation incorporated a series of amendments. Commissioners Brandon Johnson, Larry Suffredin, Bill Lowry, Alma Anaya, Dennis Deer and Deborah Sims co-sponsored the ordinance.

“We applaud the leadership and persistence of Commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison, who worked long and hard to pass this measure,” said Andrea Juracek of Housing Choice Partners. “We are thankful for the support that the full Cook County Board has shown for the ordinance.”

The Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance comes decades after the City of Chicago and suburbs such as Evanston and Mount Prospect adopted similar ordinances. A coalition of legal aid organizations and housing advocates are now working with municipalities that have adopted their own ordinances to ensure the various ordinances are consistent, complementary, and all offer robust protections to renters.

“We look forward to working with Cook County, the City of Chicago, and villages throughout suburban Cook County to ensure that all renters in our communities have common housing rights and the support they need to stay secure in their housing,” said Michael Rabbitt of Neighbors for Affordable Housing.

To view the ordinance itself, visit: https://bit.ly/3iT0VQQ

To learn more about the campaign to pass the ordinance, visit: housingactionil.org/rtlo

To learn more about renter rights in the ordinance, visit: illinoislegalaid.org/ccrtlo

About the Cook County RTLO Coalition:

A coalition of housing advocacy organizations, legal aid organizations, and renter leaders worked to build support for the RTLO and are now working to raise awareness about the ordinance and support implementation of the ordinance. These organizations include: Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Health Justice Project at Loyola University School of Law, Housing Action Illinois, Housing Choice Partners, Illinois Legal Aid, Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, The Moran Center, Neighbors for Affordable Housing, North Suburban Legal Aid, PASO West Suburban Action Project, and Progress Center.

For more information, contact Kristin Ginger, Housing Action Illinois, 312-854-3333, kristin@housingactionil.org

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KN95 Masks Available

Progress Center has large supplies of K95 Masks. These supplies are available to community organizations in Suburban Cook County and the surrounding areas.  Masks are available at no cost.  Organizations and groups in need of masks will be asked to pick up the supplies at the Progress Center office in Forest Park, Illinois. To place an order and schedule a pick-up, contact Kira Meskin at Progress Center, kmeskin@progresscil.org

Other Covid-19 Resources available at Progress Center

Emergency Back Up Providers: If you are a member of the Illinois Home Services Program and your personal assistant is unable to work because of Covid-19, Progress Center will help you find an emergency provider.

PPE:  Progress Center has supplies of PPE available for people with disabilities and personal assistants.  Progress Center will assemble a package and send the package to you in the mail.

Covid-19 Vaccinations:  Progress Center can assist with scheduling a Covid-19 Vaccination, either at a Vaccination Site, or in your home.

Community Check-In: A weekly support group that gives people an opportunity to connect with others in the community.

For more information about these programs, contact Progress Center at 708-209-1500 or garnold@progresscil.org

There will be a series of local Covid-19 Vaccinations Clinic over the next several days.  These clinics will be in the west and the south suburbs.  Below are information and flyers. If you have questions, please contact Progress Center at 708-209-1500.

Saturday, May 22, 2021, Chicago Heights, Illinois. COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Pfizer Vaccine.
Saturday, May 22, 2021, 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.  Grand Prairie Services, 450 West 14th Street
Chicago Heights, IL 60411 To register and for more information: 708-444-1012, ext. 1532

2021-May 22- Vaccination Clinic– Chicago Heights

Monday, May 24, 2021, Broadview, Illinois.  Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic. BROADVIEW MISSIONARY
BAPTIST CHURCH, 2100 S 25th Ave, Broadview 60155, MONDAY, MAY 24, 3:30PM-7PM, Call Broadview Missionary Baptist Church at
708-343-3700. Walk-Ins Welcome. Pfizer Vaccine.

Broadview_with_CimparEngandSp

Monday, May 24, 2021, Harvey, Illinois. Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic. THORNTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, 15001 BROADWAY, , HARVEY 60426, Starting Monday, May 24, Monday–Friday 10:30AM–7:00PM, 312-864-0591, Walk-Ins Welcome.

2021-May 24- Harvey Vaccine Clinic

For more information, please contact Progress Center at 708-209-1500.

On April 15, 2021, Progress Center and Rush University Systems hosted a webinar titled “Employment Opportunities and Resources for People with Disabilities in Chicagoland.”

This post is a follow up to the event on April 15.  This post includes documents and information that were shared by the presenters.

Resources:

1. Final Agenda for April 15, 2021 Event – Download Here- 2021-April 15- Event–Agenda-update-final

2. Final Flyer for April 15, 2021 Event – Download Here- 2021-April 15- Employment Resources–flyer -final

3.  Rush Job Opportunities Power Point — Download Power Point Here: Rush Job Opportunities 4.15.2021

4. Rush Careers and Disability Inclusion Related Links — Download Here:  Rush Careers and Disability Inclusion related links

5. Rush Inclusion Initiatives 2021 – PDF — Download Here:  Rush Disability Inclusion Initiatives 2021

6.  Rush University Medical Center Job Highlights – PDF -Download Here:  Rush University Medical Center Jobs Highlights

7. Progress Center and Rush Employment Opportunities Highlights — All of Us — Power Point Slide- Download Here — PC+Rush Employment Opportunities_ AoU

8. About the All of Us Program — All of Us Frequently Asked Questions — This document was not shared at the presentation on April 15, 2021.  This document shares more information about the All of Us Program, which was mentioned during the April 15 event. Download the document here: AAHD_AoU_FAQ

Whether you attended the webinar on April 15, 2021, registered for the webinar, or both, thank you for your interest in the program.  Please feel free to reach out if you have any follow up questions.Here is a list of presenters with an email contact:

Sophie Seypura, Clinical Research Assistant, All of Us Research Program, Rush University Medical Center–sophie_D_Seypura@rush.edu

Kevin Irvine, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Individuals with Disabilities, Facilitator, Rush Disabilities Employee Resource Group, Rush University Medical Center– Kevin_Irvine@rush.edu

Carol Bermudez, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Rush Oak Park Hospital — carol_bermudez@rush.edu

Gary Arnold, Program Director, Progress Center for Independent Living — garnold@progresscil.org

David Sedillo, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator for All of Us, Rush University Medical Center — David_Sedillo@rush.edu

In Home Vaccination

The Cook County Department of Public Health is now scheduling appointments for in-home vaccines. This service is available to seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to travel to a vaccination site. To schedule an appointment, call the number 833-308-1988 (hours are Hotline hours are M-F 7am-10pm and Sat 8am-10pm)  or visit this link: http://bit.ly/homevaccine

Here is a flyer2021-In Home Vaccination Flyer

Things to remember during the Pandemic:

#MaskUp

#Answerthecall

#Gettested

#Myshot — Learn about the vaccine then please get the vaccine

Covid – 19 Appointments for people with disabilities

Progress Center is helping people schedule Covid-19 Vaccination appointments.  We are part of a Community-Based Organization Network working with the Cook County Department of Public Health.  As a part of that network, Progress Center can help people with disabilities in Suburban Cook County sign up for vaccinations. Progress Center can help people eliminate the hassle of searching online or calling a number to try to schedule an appointment.

At this time, there is sometimes availability at the Forest Park Vaccination Site Location.

Starting next week, there will be availability at a site in Tinley Park.  Also next week, there will be availability at a site in Summit, Illinois. The site in Summit is intended to serve people in the area, including McCook, Hodgkins, Justice, Bridgeview, and Chicago Ridge.

Please contact garnold@progresscil.org or call 708-209-1500 ext 14.

Progress Center for Independent Living invites you to a seven-week, online Legislative Training. This training is open to everyone.

 This free training covers:

• Self-advocacy
• The legislative process
• How a bill becomes a law
• Different methods of communicating with your legislators

Who:  This online training is free and open to anyone who is interested in advocacy on disability issues and who will commit to attend all sessions

When:  Tuesday, April 6, 2021 through Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: The training will be online, over zoom.

To register and for more information, contact lbiondi@progresscil.org or call 708-209-1500.

Between now (March 22) and April 2 (Update: The Deadline has been extended to April 9), Cook County is accepting applications for emergency rental assistance.  If you have been impacted financially by covid-19, you are eligible to apply for assistance. Here is a link with more information:

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) recruiting focus group participants

2021-UIC WE WALK 4 HEALTH FOCUS GROUP RECRUITMENT FLYER-Spanish

2021-UIC WE WALK 4 HEALTH FOCUS GROUP RECRUITMENT FLYER

We Walk 4 Health: A Health Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The goal of this research is to use technology (e.g., mobile phone, Fitbit), peer support and person-centered motivational practices to promote walking for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In phase I of the research, we would like to learn more about how adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities use their mobile phones, engage in social networks and ways to increase engagement in social networks. A $20 gift card will be given for your participation.

Who are qualified?

If you are an adult (age 20-55) with an intellectual or developmental disability being able to verbally communicate in English or Spanish and having experiences with use of mobile phone and social media networks. Or You are a family member of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability, or an agency staff who provides service to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and are familiar with the use of mobile phone and social media of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What is the focus group about?

In one-hour focus group, we will ask participants about:

x use of mobile phones and social networks in adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities;

x ways to improve social networks engagement;

x potential barriers of carrying out the intervention; and

x use of community walking information and route maps.

Where is the focus group held?

Videoconference on Zoom and audio recorded

How to contact us, if you are interested in joining a focus group?

Dr. Kelly Hsieh Email: hsieh@uic.edu Phone: (312)413-1530 Principal Investigator: Kuei-Fang (Kelly) Hsieh, PhD, Research Associate Professor Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago 1640 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, (312)413-1530