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Ryan Names Six To Council On Developmental Disabilities
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. George H. Ryan announced the appointment of six members to the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Ryan appointed Erik Austin, of Batavia, Marilyn Hughes, of Caseyville, Lester Pritchard, of Urbana, John T. Porter, of Bellewood, John Leber, Peoria and Lita Spak, of Palatine.
The council consists of 39 members, 27 of whom are appointed by the Governor. The Council's mandate is to plan and advocate for support service that enable people with developmental disabilities to live and work in their local communities.
Austin is a coach and advocacy/community outreach coordinator for people with disabilities. He is a Partners in Policymaking graduate.
Hughes is a self-advocate for people with developmental disabilities. She is employed by LINC, a local center for independent living in Belleville, and is a Partners in Policymaking graduate.
Pritchard is a member of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois and is the vice-chair for the Urbana Human Relations Commission. He led the successful efforts to reform the Urbana Human Rights Ordinance and is the Chairperson and founding member of the Citizens for Housing Options Meeting Equity Standards. Pritchard is a Partners in Policymaking graduate.
Porter is past Chairperson of the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities Council and the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils.
Leber owns and operates Leber Enterprises, a computer consulting company. He is currently the Vice-President of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Illinois and serves on the Illinois Department of Human Services' Consumer and Family Advisory Council.
Spak was state secretary for People First of Illinois and is now retired.
Appointees to this council will be paid for expenses only. They did not require Senate confirmation.
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