Mission and Five Year Plan

We help lead change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities' (ICDD) 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan is built around two priorities: strengthening individual and family advocacy and advancing systems change to improve opportunities, access, and outcomes for people with developmental disabilities and their families across Illinois.

This draft plan was approved by ICDD on May 28, 2026, and was submitted to the Administration for Community Living for federal review and approval on August 15, 2026.

Individual & Family Advocacy Goal

By September 30, 2031, individuals with developmental disabilities, families, and allies across Illinois strengthen self-advocacy and leadership skills and shape cross-disability, culturally responsive, and systems change efforts through lived experience.

Objectives

1. Objective 1.1 (Self-Advocacy Leadership Network): By September 30, 2031, 1,000 self-advocates with developmental disabilities will strengthen leadership skills through a statewide self-advocacy network and meaningfully contribute to cross-disability and culturally responsive advocacy initiatives.
2. Objective 1.2 (Leadership Development): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will support at least 10,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, and allies to strengthen leadership and self-advocacy skills through training, peer learning opportunities, leadership activities, and community engagement that prepares individuals to serve as leaders, peer mentors, and trainers in their communities.     
3. Objective 1.3 (Outreach & Engagement): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will expand statewide outreach and engagement, including underserved and rural communities, with at least 1,500 individuals with developmental disabilities to strengthen self-advocacy and elevate lived experience in shaping systems change priorities. 

Systems Change Goal

By September 30, 2031, support systems will be strengthened to improve employment, community living, behavioral health, service access, and responsiveness to emerging needs for individuals with developmental disabilities and families in Illinois.

Objectives

1. Objective 2.1 (Employment First): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will promote participation of people with developmental disabilities in Employment First activities, increase stakeholder capacity, and advocate for at least two policy changes to increase competitive integrated employment.
2. Objective 2.2 (Community Living & Housing): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will collaborate with state agencies, providers, and community partners to expand the range of community housing models for people with developmental disabilities by supporting at least three statewide initiatives that improve access to Host Homes, Shared Living, small CILA options, community-based living supports, or independent living with person-centered supports.
3. Objective 2.3 (Behavioral Health & Crisis Response): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will partner with individuals with developmental disabilities, families, advocates, content experts, and at least three state agencies to identify barriers in the behavioral health, dual diagnosis, and crisis response system, with a focus on improving coordination across systems, and implement at least two regional or statewide interventions that improve access, reduce avoidable emergency room admissions, and strengthen crisis stabilization pathways.
4. Objective 2.4 (Systems Innovation & Access): By September 30, 2031, through strategic partnerships, ICDD will implement at least five innovative initiatives that improve service access, strengthen community living, and enhance coordination across responsive systems, particularly in underserved and rural communities, for individuals with developmental disabilities and families.
   
5. Objective 2.5 (Emerging Needs): By September 30, 2031, ICDD will address any unanticipated emerging needs (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, etc.) for individuals with developmental disabilities and families.