Joliet Committee on Citizens with Disabilities Meeting – August 11, 2026

The Committee on Citizens with Disabilities met at Joliet City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, beginning at approximately 5:35 p.m. after the scheduled 5:30 p.m. start. Members present were Pam Heavens, Kim Hudgens, Gary Jones, Chairperson Riley Spreadbury, and John Jamontas; Travis Brown was absent. The committee discussed Disability Pride Fest preparations, heard a grant presentation, received staff updates, and took public comments. Discussion items were not for final action.

Approval of Minutes

• Pam Heavens moved, and Kim Hudgens seconded, approval of the May 12, 2026 meeting minutes.
• The motion carried unanimously among members present: Ayes from Heavens, Hudgens, Jones, Spreadbury, and Jamontas; Brown was absent.

Discussion Items

2026 Disability Pride Fest Update

• Riley Spreadbury reported the Disability Pride Fest is scheduled for September 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Joliet Junior College event concourse.
• A little over 30 vendors were invited; about eight or nine had responded as of the meeting, and a reminder email was sent that day.
• Vendors pay a $25 booth fee. The committee is seeking sponsors, with a blue sponsorship level at $100. John Jamontas reported initial sponsor outreach results, including casinos requesting 501(c) documentation the committee does not have, St. Joel's Medical Center pausing during a management change, Duly Care not accepting requests, Crest Hill Lions Club declining, and others pending. Riley Spreadbury had contacted Critical Grind Coffee and was hopeful about a blue sponsorship.
• The committee reviewed a shared spreadsheet with vendor lists, sponsor assignments, documents, RSVPs, and color-coded outreach status. Members were encouraged to add leads and update outreach.
• A separate planning committee meets Mondays at 10 a.m. via Zoom and is open to people outside the appointed committee; Darlene and Tony are already participants.
• Members suggested adding an organization connected to disabled veterans (EAS) and recommended pitching sponsorships as advertising rather than only as donations.
• The group also discussed needs including food truck arrangements with JJC, sensory-friendly activities, banners, and use of a small outdoor courtyard; budget remains a constraint.

Grants Discussion

• Brigette Roehr, CDBG Program Manager, presented on grants; the transcript spells her name Bridget Rohrer. CDBG stands for Community Development Block Grant.
• She described grant basics: grants generally do not need to be repaid, but can require matches, have reporting and compliance obligations, are competitive, and are often short-term.
• Grant coordinator Becky DeGroat regularly searches federal, state, and private grant opportunities, including NOFOs, and sends relevant leads to city departments.
• Joliet receives an annual CDBG entitlement of approximately $1 million. Organizations apply directly to the city each spring, and applications are scored competitively.
• ADA accessibility and projects serving persons with disabilities qualify under CDBG's presumed benefit provision. Recent examples include UCP improvements and the Miracle League field, which received CDBG funding for ADA auto-opening doors, wheelchair access, restroom fixtures, and adult changing tables after Katy Fyksen brought it to staff attention.
• Roehr encouraged committee members and the public to share specific accessibility project ideas with her or Becky DeGroat so staff can watch for matching grant opportunities.

Staff Updates

• Katy Fyksen, Legal Assistant, reported that she attends the city's Community Cares committee meetings every two weeks and can present cases on behalf of the disabilities committee.
• She identified a lack of handicap parking around the courthouse, with no adjacent accessible parking and the nearest lot about a block and a half away; people with placards sometimes park in a marked drop-off zone and receive tickets.
• Discussion included possible solutions such as Will County Access dial-a-ride, an ADA-accessible valet or shuttle, and grant funding. Fyksen said she would continue considering options.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No one spoke during the agenda-item public comment period; the public comments below were made during the non-agenda public comment period.
• Tony Arellano said many municipalities treat the ADA as advisory rather than as binding law, and called for more talking street lights for low-vision pedestrians. He said a few exist in Joliet, but more are needed.
• In response to a question about possible grants, Roehr said Becky DeGroat checks grant opportunities regularly and would need specific locations or project details to search effectively. Roehr noted talking street lights would involve collaboration with IDOT.
• Darlene said she uses the Citizen Vue app to report accessibility issues; Roehr was not familiar with it. Darlene also said she and Gary had walked around the city the previous year and transcribed where street lights were talking or not; that information had been submitted, but staff turnover may have caused it to be lost.
• A speaker said talking street lights were present at nearly every intersection in San Antonio, and another participant raised concern that Joliet's chirping lights may be turned off at night.

Key Outcomes

• The May 12, 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously, with all five present members voting aye.
• No binding votes or final recommendations were made on the Disability Pride Fest, grants, or staff updates; these were discussion items.
• Next steps include continuing vendor and sponsor outreach, sharing specific project ideas with CDBG/grant staff, and potentially pursuing a more formal follow-up on talking street lights.
• The meeting was adjourned by a motion from Chairperson Spreadbury, seconded by John Jamontas, with all present members voting aye.