Cyndy Benton Named Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen

The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) is proud to announce that Cyndy Benton has been selected to receive the 2010 Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award. This award is CCDI's most prestigious honor and recognizes outstanding commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities.

Cyndy is the Legislative/Voter Advocate at the Jacksonville Center for Independent Living (JACIL). A person with a hidden disability, Cyndy has worked in a variety of disability fields for many years prior to her employment at JACIL. As the Legislative/Voter Advocate at JACIL, Cyndy provides support to staff and consumers in the areas of legislative advocacy, voter advocacy and systems advocacy. The preceding are nice, neat phrases that hardly convey the impact that Cyndy has made within the disability community.

Cyndy stays on top of key legislative issues that impact the lives of people with disabilities – including but not limited to changes in special education regulations, healthcare, as well as MiCASSA subsequent reincarnations and modifications. She is a contributor to the JACIL Connections newsletter and also sends a quarterly newsletter to Illinois legislators addressing topics of key importance to people with disabilities, most recently focusing on the needs people with disabilities have which demand a responsible and humane Illinois budget. She organizes and participates in rallies, does one on one site visits with legislators, coordinates in district meetings and trains others to advocate as well.

She is considered by advocates, coworkers, family and friends as a champion and cheerleader (some might describe her as a "real nag") in the disability community! Cyndy embodies the true character of an advocate. She remains polite, but assertive, she encourages, she politely ignores excuses, and she expects positive results. Possibly the single greatest key to Cyndy's effectiveness is that she treats everyone with respect and is respected by those with whom she works including co-workers, members of People First, consumers, legislators, children and adults participating in advocacy initiatives.

Congratulations Cyndy!