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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, For 100 years, Easterseals has been a leading
3advocate and service provider for children and adults with
4disabilities, veterans, older adults, caregivers, and their
5families; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 1919, following the sudden death of his son,
7Edgar Allen founded an organization, now known as Easterseals,
8to highlight and address the health care and service needs of
9children with disabilities; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1945, Easterseals expanded its
11children-focused mission by opening its programs and services
12to include adults to meet the emerging and increasing needs of
13returning WWII veterans and other adults with disabilities; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Since its inception, Easterseals has strongly
15advocated for essential services and support for individuals
16with disabilities and diverse needs; in 1931, the organization
17authored a "Bill of Rights" for children with disabilities,
18which led to government-funded disability services; the
19organization's successful "seals" campaign increased public
20awareness and support; prior to the passing of the Americans
21with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, Easterseals was a
22leading advocate and actively lobbied in Washington and across

 

 

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1the country for its adoption; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Easterseals has grown from its humble beginnings
3to become a leading national network of more than 70
4community-based nonprofit organizations that delivers
5high-quality, local services and support to help more than 1.75
6million children and adults with disabilities and their
7caregivers and families achieve milestones, live
8independently, and fully participate in their communities; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is well served by four
10Easterseals affiliate organizations with 22 locations across
11the State; these affiliate organizations are Easterseals
12Central Illinois, Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley,
13Easterseals Joliet Region, and Easterseals serving Chicagoland
14and Rockford; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Easterseals is a strong partner with local, state,
16and federal government, corporations, foundations, and other
17sectors to provide or connect individuals and families to early
18intervention and childhood education services, autism spectrum
19disorder services, employment assistance and placement, mental
20health services, respite, camping and recreation, and
21caregiving and aging supports; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Easterseals and its affiliates in Illinois have

 

 

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1had an impact on the lives of millions of Illinoisans for the
2past 100 years; its commitment to expanding possibilities for
3children and adults with disabilities ensure than everyone of
4us can live, learn, work, and play in our communities; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Easterseals continues the mission and commitment
6to service envisioned by its founder, who concluded that "Your
7life and mine shall be valued not by what we take, but by what
8we give"; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Easterseals embraces the vision that all people
10with disabilities and their caregivers and families will be 100
11percent included and 100 percent empowered; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 3,
142019 Easterseals Day in the State of Illinois; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be
17presented to Easterseals Central Illinois, Easterseals DuPage
18and Fox Valley, Easterseals Joliet Region, and Easterseals
19serving Chicagoland and Rockford.