We are a grass-roots coalition of families and self-advocates with disabilities who want to create a self-directed, strength-based life in their home community. Through education and outreach, we are building a strong, unified voice to advocate for these interests.
Like many of you, we are families who are working to create the best possible life for a loved one living with a disability.
Our decisions are based on the value that individuals with disabilities have the right to choose where they live, who they live with, and what they do with their day.
What Started Our Coalition
In February 2024, Sharon Costabile wrote a letter to Governor Pritzker outlining the interest in more progressive community-based models. This led to a summit in May 2024, where leaders from all areas of the disability field came together to discuss how we can create real change in the Illinois system.
Engage IL coalition is a direct outcome of that meeting.
Video: Sharon Costabile, CBS news
Sharon is joined in her leadership of Engage IL by Bridget Brown, Nancy Brown, Anna Kissel, Ashley McLeod, Susan Mack, Christine Morris, Vicki Niswander and Wendy Pligge.
Ashley MacLeod is a self-advocate colleague of Engage IL. At the heart of Engage IL is the belief that the voice of individuals with disabilities must be a part of all discussions about systems change.
Video: Ashley's Story | Just A Dollop
What You Can Do
The more unified our voice, the stronger it will be in creating change. Join Engage IL and become a part of the movement to improve Illinois’ community-based supports and services.
When you contribute to Engage IL you're helping fuel our volunteer-driven movement for more progressive community supports for individuals with disabilities.
