Illinois Program Information
What are the eligibility requirements?
US legal citizen with Illinois residency, individuals must be age 55 or older, blind or low vision.
What is the process for applying for services?
Simply contact your local OIB program and the conversation will begin either in person, via phone or virtually to gather information and discuss potential services.
What documentation is required?
Preferred documentation: a valid form of identification showing Illinois residency and U.S. citizenship; medical documentation of vision status and any other disabilities/concerns.
What services are available?
- Information and referrals.
- Assistive technology devices and training.
- Orientation and mobility services.
- Communication skills training.
- Independent living and personal management skills training.
- Advocacy training or support network activities.
- Individual counseling and support group meetings.
- Community awareness events and activities to individuals.
- Information and training to other professionals, general public, friends and relatives.
How do I get connected with the program?
You can reach out to local OIB programs directly. If you are unsure which program to connect with, please reach out to the Illinois OIB Project Manager, Holly Cunningham at Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov
Agency Website:
IDHS: Older Individual Blind Grants (OIB)
Program Contact Information:
- Contact: Maureen Koch
- Phone: (815) 332-6822
- Email: mkoch@cshni.org
- Counties served: Boone; Bureau; Carroll; Dekalb; Fulton; Grundy; Henderson; Henry; JoDaviess; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lee; Marshall; McDonough; McHenry; Mercer; Ogle; Peoria; Putnam; Rock Island; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Warren; Whiteside; Winnebago; Woodford
- Contact: Natasha Broomfield
- Phone: (312) 666-1331
- Email: natasha.broomfield@chicagolighthouse.org
- Counties Served: Cook, Kane, Dupage, Lake, Kendall, McHenry, Will
- Contact: Dawn Lamp
- Phone: (618) 926-1315
- Email: dlamp@colemantricounty.org
- Counties Served: Alexander; Edwards; Franklin; Gallatin; Hamilton; Hardin; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Lawrence; Marion; Massac; Perry; Pope; Pulaski; Richland; Saline; Union; Wabash; Wayne; White; Williamson
- Contact: Cathy Contarino
- Phone: (618) 474-5314
- Email: contarino@impactcil.org
- Counties Served: Madison; Macoupin; Jersey; Bond; Calhoun; Greene
- Contact: Brooklyn Knapp
- Phone: (217) 245-8371
- Email: brooklyn@jacil.org
- Counties Served: Mason, Scott, Morgan, Cass
- Contact: Kelli Brooks
- Phone: (847) 949-4440 ext. 229
- Email: kelli@lccil.org
- Counties Served: Lake; McHenry
- Contact: Meri Helbig
- Phone: (309) 663-5433
- Email: rbenecke@lifecil.org
- Counties Served: DeWitt; Ford; Livingston; McLean
- Contact: Darleesa Neal
- Phone: (618) 235-9988
- Email: lijarman@lincinc.org
- Counties served: St. Clair; Monroe; Randolph
- Contact: Therese Cardosi
- Phone: (815) 936-0100
- Email: therese.cardosi@optionscil.org
- Counties served: Iroquois; Kankakee
- Contact: Michelle Ingram
- Phone: (217) 344-5433
- Email: michelle@pacecil.org
- Counties served: Champaign; Vermilion; Edgar; Piatt; Douglas
- Contact: Steven Zelner
- Phone: (312) 236-8569
- Email: steven.zelner@second-sense.org
- Counties served: Cook; DuPage; Lake; Northern parts of Will; Eastern parts of Kane
- Contact: Heather Austin
- Phone: 618-457-3318 ext. 239
- Email: jwooters@decatursail.com
- Counties served: Jackson; Williamson; Franklin; Perry; Saline; Harden; Gallatin; Massac; Pulaski; Pope; Alexander; Union; Johnson
About the Illinois OIB Program Manager:
Holly Cunningham joined OIB and the Bureau of Blind Services in December 2023. She has worked in the rehabilitation field for the State of Illinois since June 2010. Her experience spans vocational rehabilitation, higher education, children’s mental health, family support and counseling, and program management. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois.
Before entering human services, Holly managed a corporate account for an employment agency, coordinated multiple grant-funded mediation and conflict resolution projects, served as a liaison between educators and trainers, and led event planning efforts. Her broad professional background brings a unique blend of clinical insight and organizational expertise to her current role.