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ADVOCATES UNITED is an educational and charitable organization founded in 1992 and chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois whose membership includes people with disabilities, their families, friends, advocates, professionals and members of the community at large. The MISSION of Advocates United is to work together for quality life choices for all people with disabilities. Advocates’ members work to provide education and information for the public and elected and appointed officials to the needs and abilities of persons with disabilities. We also promote the development of more and better programs/supports for all people with disabilities. Finally, we work to bring all advocates and supporters of people with disabilities together around common concerns. Our name is our rallying cry. Advocates Unites receives no funding from any governmental body, foundation or any other source. It is entirely supported by the payment of dues and donations by its members. AU has no paid staff. All activities are voluntarily performed by the members. We feel that our policy of self support gives us the greatest opportunity to freely express our opinions and concerns in the Public Forum. Advocates United holds monthly meetings of its membership on the second TUESDAY of every month at the Wingate Inn, 18421 North Creek Drive, Tinley Park, Illinois. (Across from the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and the Howe Developmental Center). Meetings begin promptly at 7:00P.M and end promptly at 9:00 P.M. Legislators, public officials, service providers, advocates, experts of all kinds and anyone else having information important to the membership and in furthering our activities are asked to speak at our meetings. Interested and concerned members of the public are welcome. Annual memberships are available for $15.00 payable in January of each year. Advocates United sponsors periodic Town Meetings and Legislative Forums on issues of concerns to the membership. We believe in united action so we always invite other organizations to participate. In election years, AU holds Legislative Forums where candidates for the Executive Branch offices and State Senate and House of Representatives can meet the people, present their views on relevant issues, seek their support, listen to their concerns and debate the issues with their opponents. In September, 2004, Advocates United hosted its VIIth Biennial Legislative Forum which was co-sponsored by seventy-five other organizations inviting legislative leaders and incumbents and challengers for seats in the Illinois General Assembly. Advocates United is strictly non-partisan and makes no endorsements. We seek to provide an open forum for the free exchange of ideas and public debate so people can make up their own minds. WE URGE PEOPLE TO REGISTER AND VOTE. The membership of Advocates United, after having debated and voted on the issues, does sometimes take positions on and may support or oppose legislation which affects persons with disabilities. Letter writing, calls to legislators, testimony at hearings, submission of position papers and other activities are frequently enlisted in this effort. AU does a biennial survey of members of the Illinois General Assembly on issues of concerns to the membership and publishes the results. AU also publishes a newsletter, “THE ADVOCATE” to keep our members and other interested parties informed on the issues. Our website is www.advocatesunited.com. AU members who enroll in our e-mail list receive frequent information on subjects of concern to our members. For more information, contact
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