Summer Advocacy Season is Here!

Author: Laura VanPuymbrouck, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Committee Chair, ILOTPAC

Happy summer to all OTPs! While summer is filled with vacations and activities, it’s also the time when Illinois state senators and representatives return home following the end of the legislative session and marking the beginning of our summer advocacy season.

The Illinois Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (PAC) supports legislators who either champion critical legislation impacting OT or serve on key congressional committees. One of the most effective ways we can show support is by attending their fundraising events. These events provide valuable opportunities to meet legislators face-to-face and discuss important professional issues directly at the state level.

This summer, PAC members will be attending several of these events, and we encourage interested OTPs, especially those who are constituents of the legislators, to join us. Your voice is powerful, particularly when advocating for bills like Senate Bill 1273, which includes provisions for loan forgiveness for mental health professionals, another bill concerning direct access language in the OT Practice Act, and other significant issues impacting our profession.

Upcoming Events:

• July 23 | 6:00–9:00 PM – House Dems Fundraiser at Navy Pier (Chicago)
• September 9 – Event for Representative Nicole La Ha (Chicago)

For more information or if you’re interested in attending one of these events with the PAC, please contact Laura VanPuymbrouck at [email protected]. 

Let’s make this a summer of advocacy!

Laura VanPuymbrouck
Committee Chair, ILOTPAC