October 2026

Six award recipients pose with Treasurer Frerichs at the LGBTQ+ History Month celebration

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Honors Illinois Leaders in Celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month

Video of the event will be posted here: State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to honor LGBTQ+ History Month and highlight the accomplishments of leaders in Illinois’ LGBTQ+ community. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the significant achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, and their allies. Frerichs presented awards to leaders in business, community service, education, government, labor, sports, and arts and humanities. “We’ve come together today to honor eight LGBTQ+ neighbors and friends, who have helped make Illinois a better place…

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From Feeling Out of Place to Finding Pride

I distinctly remember the fear I felt when my aunt and uncle dropped me off on Yale’s campus 35 years ago this fall. I had never visited the school and didn’t know anyone.  As I met people, I realized there weren’t many people like me there. I grew up the son of a Teamsters truck driver in a small farming town of about 800. My parents hadn’t gone to college. My grandparents hadn’t even attended high school after dropping out in junior high to work on the farm.  I wasn’t the only…

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IL ABLE Account Owner Shares Her Story at This Year’s Speak Up, Speak Out Summit

Self-advocate, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Council Member, and IL ABLE Account Owner Bridget Brown is a powerhouse. An actor and keynote speaker, Bridget also co-founded Butterflies for Change,  an organization dedicated to advocating for inclusive communities and expanding access to inclusion support – to name just a few of her accomplishments. At the 2026 Speak Up, Speak Out Summit in Bloomington, IL, the IL ABLE team had the opportunity to sit down with Bridget and her mom, Nancy, to talk about Bridget’s experience with her IL ABLE account and what…

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Make the Most of Every Season of Life

I choose to remain a Midwesterner for many reasons, but one of them is that I really appreciate having four seasons. That doesn’t mean that I like all four seasons equally. In Illinois, spring holds the promise of warming days. It also frequently disappoints us with cold, rainy days and the occasional snowstorm.       I’m guessing most people look forward to warm summer days. As someone who often wears a suit to work, anything over 80° can leave me a sweaty mess. I do enjoy freshly fallen snow,…

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