Committee on Citizens with Disabilities

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval Tuesday, April 15, 2025 1:30 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Committee Members Anthony Arellano Pam Heavens Billie Jo Adams Kim Hudgens John Jamontas Gary Jones Veronica Pollard Riley Spreadbury Sherry Voight Steven Voight Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval April 15, 2025 Page 1 of 1 Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval April 15, 2025 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. ROLL CALL Present Billy Jo Adams, Chairperson Anthony Arellano, Pam Heavens, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones, Riley Spreadbury, Sherry Voight, Steven Voight and John Jamontas Absent Veronica Pollard APPROVAL OF MINUTES None 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. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION Discussion: Transportation - Elizabeth Gonzalez with PACE TMP-8461 Bus Service will speak about Disability informed transportation; Routes, Safety, and Reliability. Elizabeth Gonzalez discusses the services that PACE offers for the ADA Para-transit and Dial a Ride Program. Other services include RTA Reduced fare card for disabled individuals or 65 and older, and Free Ride Passes. Applications are available for these passes through Illinois Benefit Access Program at illinois.gov. New PACE routes can be viewed on the Ventra or CTA Transit App. Discussion: Federal Changes to ADA Compliance Measures TMP-8462 The Committee discusses the removal of 11 pieces of guidelines to the Americans with Disabilities Act, effecting ADA related guidance to local businesses and hotels. The guidance removed can be viewed at the Department of Justice website at: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-actions-combat-co st-living-crisis-including-rescinding-11#:~:text=The%20Justice%20Department% 20today%20announced,guidance%20to%20streamline%20Americans%20with Discussion: Disability Hiring/Employment Advocacy within TMP-8463 local Agencies The Committee has a discussion around advocating and overcoming stereotypes for hiring of persons with disabilities within the local community. Discussion: July Disability Fair Updates TMP-8464 Page 1 of 2 Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting Minutes - Pending Approval April 15, 2025 The Disability Pride Fair is scheduled to take place Saturday July 26th at Bicentennial Park 11am to 4pm to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service providers, additional resources, and inclusive activities/music will be available. Discussion: Communications Department Pamphlet Update TMP-8465 Attachments: Citizens with Disabilities Brochure v3.pdf A brochure has been drafted by the City’s Communications Department to include the Committee’s achievements and mission statement. This draft will be reviewed by the Committee further for more input. PUBLIC COMMENT 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. None. ADJOURNMENT This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. This was approved Page 2 of 2