Consumer Advisory Committee
Providing meaningful guidance
The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) brings together self-advocates, family members, state agencies, and community organizations to guide the IDHD and the Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program. The CAC helps make sure that our work is meaningful and useful in improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Consumer Advisory Committee members
Self-Advocates and Family Representatives
Jessica Buettner
Lisa Cesal (Co-Chair)
Diane Compton
Sarah Demissie
Marty Fox
Nora Handler
Ellen Marie Herbert
Brittany King
Vincent Smith
Jada Mercedes Thompson
Monica Thorns
Organizational Representatives
Tara Ahern/Adam Wiser, IL Self Advocacy Alliance
Samantha Alloway, The Arc of Illinois
Rachel Arfa/Latosha Haywood, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Kathy Carmody (Chair), Institute on Public Policy for Persons with Disabilities
Ryan Croke, Illinois Department of Human Services
Donald Dew, Habilitative Systems, Inc.
Thane Dykstra, Trinity Services, Inc.
Thomas Jerkovitz/Patricia Perez, UIC-Specialized Care for Children
Kimberly Mercer-Schleider/Mariel Hamer-Sinclair/Gary Arnold, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
Leanne Mull, Blue Tower Solutions, Inc.
Tonya Piephoff/Meg Cooch, IL Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities
Zena Naiditch/Nicol Beaumont, Equip for Equality
Teresa Parks, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
Clint Paul/Jennifer Simpson, The Hope Institute for Children and Families