Chicagoland Autism Connection

08/18/2026

Join us on September 10th in Rosemont for the Autism Speaks Empower Summit: Advocacy in Action.

This year's Summit explores advocacy across every stage of life - from IEP meetings and the transition to adulthood to recreation, relationships, disability services and public policy.

✔ Inspiring keynote speakers
✔ Expert breakout sessions
✔ Resource Expo
✔ Networking
✔ Practical tools you can use immediately

Whether you're an autistic self-advocate, family member, educator, professional or community partner, you'll leave empowered to create meaningful change.

Register today at https://act.autismspeaks.org/site/Calendar?id=107383&view=Detail&fbclid=IwY2xjawTfQJJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUtxY0ZCS0tWU2NoQURFV2NzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeg2F6sz7ZK90w_G97Yn4w6ZthalOrgV394jxa5Cp72eiGbMnkP2xOLrPHtxY_aem_bDJCWB5BwsmjFMx_diH_BQ

08/04/2026

🎉Happening this Saturday in Evergreen Park!

Don't miss the 2nd Annual Catch 22 Resource Fair- the only Resource fair put together catering to those individuals and their family ages 22 and up transitioning into adult services.

This event also caters to families in transition ages 14.5 and up. Register today, IT'S FREE!
Register here: https://bit.ly/3QWYcep

Here's a message from the President/CEO, Tiffoni Stepney.
Please share if you care
Hello all👋!! Today is What’s Good Wednesday !! What’s good is Every Step of the Way Resource Center NFP’s 2nd Annual Catch-22 Resource Venue has an exciting new addition to their event, which is the PUNS Pop-up! Community Service Options, Inc. will sign up attendees who live in their service area for PUNS!

Attendees can also expect the following:
☘️ A live secondary transition planning presentation by Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center to prepare parents, professionals, & transition age students for aging out of the special education system

☘️Free photo booth pictures by GBoothPhotos (an entrepreneur who is a self-advocate)

☘️RTA - RTA - Regional Transportation Authority - Illinois will be signing interested attendees up for reduced fare cards (click the registration link for more details)

☘️ A relax & renew sensory room

☘️ & Much More!
Stay tuned to hear about their AMAZING raffle prizes & event additions🤗.

Their event sponsors are 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea’s office, Al's Cookie Mixx, The Arc of Illinois & Sensory Meetup With Liz and Addie . Please refer to their event flyer for more details. The registration link is as follows: https://bit.ly/3QWYcep
Please share if you care

07/07/2026

🕊🕯In Loving memory of Lisa St. Cloud. Please see the funeral arrangements from her page below...

07/05/2026

🕊🕯Here are the service arrangements for Dr. Arnell Brady...🕊🕯

07/03/2026

🎟Tickets are GOING FAST!

📣The Waterpark Event of the Year is here! Register today!
CAC's Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Waterpark tickets are available for purchase!

Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Pool Party

Date: Jul 12 • 17:00
Click the link in blue below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagoland-autism-connection-annual-pool-party-tickets-1991424410018?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da
See information from the Board below:

Need little summer fun?🌞 🌊🩱🏊🏼‍♀️ 🩳 Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Waterpark Event at Pelican Harbor is here!
This is an event you do not want our miss and guaranteed to sell out!!!!

🎟🎟Get your tickets NOW as tickets will not be available for purchased at door.

🚌Transportation is available on first come first served basis for a fee of $15 per person, the location for transportation is 1551 W 95th Street. Chicago, IL.

Please see the attached eventbrite for all the details and to purchase tickets.We can't wait to see you!
Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Pool Party

Date: Jul 12 • 17:00

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagoland-autism-connection-annual-pool-party-tickets-1991424410018?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da

Come join us at Pelican Harbor for our Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Water Park Outing - a day of fun in the sun for the whole family

07/03/2026

📣Happy Friday parents/caregivers/self-advocates, educators, paraprofessionals and all other professionals living in and serving the disability community.

✒️"The 2nd Annual Catch-22 Resource Venue has an exciting new addition to our event, which is the PUNS Pop-up! Community Service Options, Inc. will sign up attendees who live in their service area for PUNS.

☘️FREE registration but tickets going fast. The registration link is: https://bit.ly/3QWYcep

Attendees can also expect the following
☘️RTA - Regional Transportation Authority - Illinois will be signing interested attendees up for reduced fare cards (click the registration link for more details)

☘️ A live secondary transition planning presentation by Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center to prepare parents, professionals, & transition age students for aging out of the special education system

☘️Our event sponsors are 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea’s office, Al's Cookie Mixx, The Arc of Illinois, & Sensory Meetup With Liz and Addie .

☘️Free photo booth pictures by GBoothPhotos (an entrepreneur who is a self-advocate)

☘️ A relax & renew sensory room

☘️ & Much More!
Stay tuned to hear about our AMAZING raffle prizes & event additions🤗.

The registration link is as follows: https://bit.ly/3QWYcep

Don't miss The one of a kind Unique Catch 22 resource fair specifically designed to highlight resources, exhibitors, training/workshops that help support, prepare and provide information for adults 22 and up. This resource fair can also help families entering transition prepare for adult services.

The 1st public resource fair of its kind in the Chicago Proper area only for adults with disabilities ages 18 & up.

07/02/2026

💙❤️𝗜𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 Dr. Arnell Brady

🕯The disability community mourns the recent loss of a pillar in our community. Mr. Arnell Brady, Speech & Language Pathologist, husband, father, author, mentor, friend, counselor, founding board member of CAC and so much more.

🕊To many in the Autism community, Dr. Brady was a committed, dedicated therapist who assessed, diagnosed and treated speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages.

✒️He helped many grassroots nonprofits get their start and encouraged entrepreneurship.

🏍He loved to ride his motorcycle, spend time with his family and in his garden.

🕊Dr. Brady was a founding member of Chicagoland Autism Connection and helped the organization stay afloat by organizing and securing donations from his Masonic brothers Arcadia Palace Lodge #756, friends, family and other affiliated organizations. He later offered his expertise and mentorship as an advisory member of The CAC Noard of Directors.

🕯He assisted so many organizations including All Families United nfp & Every Step of the Way Resource Center NFP, He was the inspiration to Tawana Booth & George Booth, Jr with hands on mentoring/ support with Blue Table Talk, their book, The Diagnosis didn't Stop the Dream, while encouraging George Jr to start GBoothPhotos.

🕯He was a mentor to many leaders in the community encouraging each of us to find a seat at the table and become change agents. He wanted each of us to DO MORE, collaborate and bring resources back to our communities.

🤍Dr. Brady will be missed tremendously and we will cherish every moment we had with him in our hearts💕

Our deepest sympathy to his wife and family🤍

🕊Hugs & Love,
Shea Rockett Williams
Tawana Booth
Tamara AutismAdvocate Joiner
Kimberly L. Johnson

06/23/2026

📣The Waterpark Event of the Year is here! Register today!
CAC's Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Waterpark tickets are available for purchase!

Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Pool Party

Date: Jul 12 • 17:00
Click the link in blue below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagoland-autism-connection-annual-pool-party-tickets-1991424410018?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da
See information from the Board below:

Need little summer fun?🌞 🌊🩱🏊🏼‍♀️ 🩳 Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Waterpark Event at Pelican Harbor is here!
This is an event you do not want our miss and guaranteed to sell out!!!!

🎟🎟Get your tickets NOW as tickets will not be available for purchased at door.

🚌Transportation is available on first come first served basis for a fee of $15 per person, the location for transportation is 1551 W 95th Street. Chicago, IL.

Please see the attached eventbrite for all the details and to purchase tickets.We can't wait to see you!
Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Pool Party

Date: Jul 12 • 17:00

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagoland-autism-connection-annual-pool-party-tickets-1991424410018?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da

Come join us at Pelican Harbor for our Chicagoland Autism Connection Annual Water Park Outing - a day of fun in the sun for the whole family

05/29/2026

🎉Another fun summer outing you don't want to miss!

This one is near and dear to my heart! CAC has been under New Leadership for the past two years and they are kicking off the summer with their annual family reunion picnic!

Many of you still believe I am the Board President but I retired from my post in December 2024. CAC has been under NEW LEADERSHIP for the past two years with some amazing leaders/advocates/parents: the current President, Musheila McCrary, Shela Peace and immediate past present Lashan Rockett Williams Shea Rockett Williams!
Please reach out to them for any questions about the picnic.

Hope to see you there!🎊
Registration: CAC's Annual Family Reunion Picnic
312-498-3576

Date: Jun 14 • 10:00

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cacs-annual-family-reunion-picnic-tickets-1990360861917?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da@