Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Committee on Citizens with Disabilities met Oct. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

ROLL CALL

Present: Steven Voight, Chairperson Tony Arellano, Veronica Pollard, Billie Jo Adams, Pam Heavens, Sherry Voight and Kim Hudgens

Absent: Gary Jones

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Billie Jo Adams, to approve Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Minutes--September 19, 2023. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Voight, Chairperson Arellano, Pollard, Voight, Adams, Heavens and Hudgens

Absent: Jones

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

None.

RECOGNITION OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Chairman Arellano said it's important to achieve the goal of getting more people with disabilities employed.

MICHELLE STIFF, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR (Presentation)

Ms. Michelle Stiff, Director of Workforce Services Division of Will County, appeared before the Committee. Her background is special education and she was a special ed teacher and administrator. She spoke about the Workforce Services is hosting the Ability Career Fair in Romeoville on October 25th from 2 to 5 p.m.

BISWA PHUYAL, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN

SERVICES/DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (Presentation)

Mr. Biswa Phuyal, Illinois Department of Human Services, gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the shared services between their agency, the Workforce Center and an employer that work together to advance disability hiring not just in Will County but also nation wide.

Ms. Beth Gonzales, Community Relations Representative with Pace, appeared on behalf of the presentation.

Mr. Andrew Pajak, Will County Workforce Services, appeared on behalf of the presentation.

Mr. John Hall, Business Service Director with Workforce Services, appeared on behalf of the presentation.

Mr. Kim Hudgens explained what the process is for a new staff member for training etc. at Cornerstone Services.

Ms. Stiff added that if someone is looking for training or access to employment and they require accommodations, when they walk into the Workforce Center they will fill out an intake form and on that form it asks if they need accommodations. That creates an opportunity to have a further discussion to help them.

Mr. Pajak spoke about the Ability Career Fair.

Chairman Arellano asked how they work with cities. Mr. Phuyal responded. Mr. Phuyal also spoke about tax incentives.

Ms. Veronica Pollard spoke about her experience with jobs and requiring interpreters and how the State of Illinois was not accommodating.

Ms. Billy Jo Adams stated she has a problem getting hired because she has autism and she is partially blind. Ms. Sherry Voight explained the experiences that Billy Jo has had. Mr. Phuyal responded with some recommendations.

NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Riley Spreadbury, Disability Resource Center, spoke about her experience during a tour at the Ottawa Street library pertaining to their accessibility services.

Chairman Arellano requested that someone from the City speak at the next meeting regarding job opportunities for people with disabilities. They would like to see more internships for students with disabilities at the City of Joliet. He would also like an update on the infrastructure progress with the sidewalks and curb cuts.

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Kim Hudgens, seconded by Veronica Pollard, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Voight, Chairperson Arellano, Pollard, Voight, Adams, Heavens and Hudgens

Absent: Jones

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2023/10/1958_M_Committee_on_Citizens_with_Disabilities_23-10-17_Meeting_Minutes.pdf