The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and establishing each year’s organizational priorities.

2026 National Federation of the Blind of Illinois State Convention

Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, 2026

Register and make a difference in the lives of blind Illinoisans!

Click here to register for the 2026 NFB of Illinois State Convention!

The 2026 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois will be held at:
Hyatt Regency Lisle
1400 Corporetum Dr.
Lisle, IL 60532

Note: The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the state website by late September or early October. Yes, the agenda will be available on NEWSLINE® too!

Here is your chance to participate and learn more about the NFB’s programs and goals on the state and national level. Hear from the NFB national representative. Also, hear from speakers on topics of national and state importance, membership, seniors, technology, Braille, students, guide dog users, merchants, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2026 and much more!

We are proud to announce that Jesse Shirek, Director of Advocacy and Policy at the National Federation of the Blind, will be serving as our national rep for this year's convention. Click here to read his bio.

Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 2026 state convention of the NFB of Illinois. Get Involved. Make a Difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!

Room Reservations

The Hyatt Regency Lisle is now accepting room reservations for the State Convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, dial 888-421-1442 and use the group name of NFBI or National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, or via our online booking link. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2026 room rate is $129 a night for single or double occupancy and $159 a night for triple occupancy, plus applicable taxes.

The Hotel will be releasing our block of rooms on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 5 PM so make your reservation quickly. You will need a credit card to secure your reservation, There will be no charge to your card until you arrive at the hotel. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms and if needed, make it known when you are making your room reservation.

Note: If you can not attend and you have made hotel reservations, don’t call the hotel to cancel. Please call Marilyn Green at 312-343-8396. Marilyn usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about the State Convention after Tuesday, September 15.

Code of Conduct

As an attendee at our convention, you not only represent yourself but also represent our greater organization. We want you to enjoy our time together and to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. Although we encourage members to socialize and have fun, the convention also provides a valuable opportunity to come together to continue the work of our organization, to learn about the important initiatives that we are involved with on local and national levels, and to plan our work for the future.

The National Federation of the Blind seeks to provide a convention environment in which diverse participants, including members, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers, may learn, network, and enjoy the company of friends and colleagues in an environment of mutual respect and professionalism. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are therefore specifically prohibited:

• harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, physical appearance, or other group identity
• harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact
• public drunkenness and associated behaviors (e.g., belligerence, yelling, hostility, destruction of property)

Participants are expected to abide by these rules and behaviors in all convention venues, including online arenas, social media, and social events. Participants who are asked to stop a behavior that the recipient considers hostile or harassing are expected to comply immediately. We are committed to diversity, equity, and the free expression of ideas. Please visit https://nfb.org/code-conduct for more information.

National Rep Bio

Jesse Shirek
Director of Advocacy & Policy, National Federation of the Blind

Jesse Shirek serves as Director of Advocacy for the National Federation of the Blind, where he coordinates national legislative and public policy advocacy and helps Federation members and affiliates turn shared priorities into action. His work includes congressional and regulatory advocacy, state and local policy support, member training, coalition engagement, and relationship building with policymakers and industry leaders. His policy areas include autonomous vehicles, Social Security, vocational rehabilitation, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, AbilityOne, Randolph-Sheppard, and other issues affecting blind Americans. In April 2025, Jesse testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch about the importance of continued federal support for the National Library Service.

Jesse joined the Federation staff in November 2021 after building a career in blindness rehabilitation and access technology. He studied art and psychology at the University of Minnesota, completed graduate-level study in vision rehabilitation at Mississippi State University, worked for six years as a vision rehabilitation specialist at the North Dakota School for the Blind, provided assistive technology services as a contractor, and later led the assistive technology unit at the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.

Jesse's involvement in the organized blind movement grew through the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota, where he was elected affiliate president in 2019. That experience shaped his approach to advocacy: organized people, united by a common purpose, can create meaningful change when they communicate effectively, act collectively, learn from proven strategies, and adapt those lessons to new challenges.

These lessons continue to guide Jesse's national advocacy work. He believes successful advocacy requires identifying those with the power to make change, preparing Federation members to communicate persuasively, coordinating action, and following through with determination. He especially values helping members build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become stronger advocates and leaders.

Jesse and his wife, Sherry, live in Baltimore, Maryland. Outside of advocacy, he enjoys playing guitar and developing new skills. He is honored to serve as the national representative to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois and looks forward to supporting the work of Illinois Federationists.

Materials from Past Conventions

Please visit our Past Conventions page to access audio highlights and literature from previous state conventions.

Additional Information

If you have questions and need additional information, please contact:
Marilyn Green, President
5128 N. Oak Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60656
Phone: 312-343-8396
Email: president@nfbofillinois.org