JJC Proclaims October Disability Employment Awareness Month; Student Reads Text

Joliet Junior College | September 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved a proclamation on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, designating October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month across Illinois Community College District 525. Second-year culinary arts student Emily Schmire read the proclamation to the board.

Proclamation Key Points:

The proclamation, agenda item 1.3.1, was approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

It designates October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Illinois Community College District 525.

It was read by Emily Schmire, a second-year culinary arts student and member of the college’s disability awareness club.

The text cites the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and commits the college to “promote and recognize the diverse strengths of its employees and students.”

JOLIET — The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees voted Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, to proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout Illinois Community College District 525, which spans seven counties.

Dr. Karl Brooks introduced the item, agenda item 1.3.1, and asked a student to read the text.

“It gives me great pleasure to introduce JJC student Emily Schmire, who has graciously agreed to read the JJC proclamation,” Brooks said.

Brooks described Schmire as a second-year culinary arts student “who has a passion for cooking and learning new culinary techniques and enjoys exploring the creative side of food preparation.”

“Outside of her studies, Emily is an active member of the disability awareness club, where she works with fellow students to promote understanding, inclusion and advocacy for individuals with disabilities,” Brooks said. “Being involved in this club on campus allowed her to connect with others.”

Schmire then read the proclamation in full.

“Whereas in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, was signed into law,” she read. “ADA is civil rights legislation that works to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment.”

The text describes National Disability Employment Awareness Month as “a nationwide campaign celebrating the skills and talents workers with disabilities bring to our workplaces,” and says October “is designated to reflect the important role diversity plays in the workplace.”

It also commits the college to two pledges: that Joliet Junior College “advocates respect and inclusion for every individual by demonstrating courtesy and civility in every endeavor,” and that it “pledges to promote and recognize the diverse strengths of its employees and students and to value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives of every individual.”

The resolving clause names the district’s full footprint: “the board of trustees of Illinois Community College District Number 525, Joliet Junior College, counties of Will, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Kankakee, Livingston and Cook, state of Illinois, hereby proclaims the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Illinois Community College District Number 525, adopted the 16th day of September, 2026.”

A second was recorded immediately after the reading, and Chair Nancy Garcia Guillen called for a voice vote. “All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no,” she said. “Motion carries.”

No opposition was audible on the recording, and no discussion preceded the vote.

The proclamation was the only item on the agenda under the heading “Proclamation,” and it was taken up before public comments. Garcia Guillen reported that no members of the public had signed up to speak.