FEBRUARY, Deaf Social/Support Group. Celebrate Valentine s day with an Italian feast at Schaumburg Township.

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1 DEAF LINE FEBRUARY, 2014 Deaf Social/Support Group VALENTINE LUNCHEON Celebrate Valentine s day with an Italian feast at Schaumburg Township. Wednesday, February 19, :30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. At: Schaumburg Township One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL Menu Garden Salad Breadsticks Pasta with Marinara sauce Italian meatballs Dessert - Tiramisu Entertainment by Gaetano Adamo Pop drinks/water/coffee Games & door prizes Deadline: February 9, 2014 Cash only - No refunds after February 9th No payment at the door For more information, contact Sarita Phadke: VP, TTY, or sphadke@schaumburgtownship.org .

2 IMPORTANT INFORMATION There will be no Deaf Social/Support Group meeting in March, but a possible field trip is underway. Stay tuned for more information in the next Deaf Line newsletter ELECTION SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION DEADLINES GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION March 18, 2014 Last day to register to vote - February 18, 2014 Grace Period Registration & Voting First Day - February 19, 2014 Last Day - March 15, 2014 Early Voting for Primary First Day - March 3, 2014 Last Day - March 15, 2014 Browse for more information. DISABLED PARKING PLACARDS Starting January 1, 2014, there are four types of parking placards: 1. Meter-Exempt Permanent Placards (yellowand-gray striped) are issued for persons with permanent disabilities who have significant impairments that cause difficulty in accessing a parking meter. They are exempt from paying the meters. 2. Permanent Placards (blue) are issued for persons with permanent disabilities and they will have to pay the meter fees. 3. Temporary Placards (red) are issued for people with a temporary disability and are valid for the length of time indicated by the doctor, not to exceed 6 months. They will have to pay the meter fees. 4. Organization Placards (green) are issued to organizations that transport persons with disabilities free of charge and expire on April 30, They will pay the meter fees. If you have questions, call Secretary of State at NEW LAWS IN ILLINOIS IN 2014 Cell Phones on Road: Drivers will be required to use a Bluetooth headset or speakerphone if they wish to talk on the phone while driving. They can still call in case of an emergency. Speed Limit Increase: The speed limit on rural Illinois highway has been increased from 65 to 70 mph. Sexual Education: This law states that public school districts teaching sex education will now be required to teach about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. Teen Tan Ban: Illinois residents younger than 18 years old will no longer to use indoor tanning facilities. Underage Voter: 17-years-old can vote in the primary elections if they will become 18years by the time of general election in November. Medical Marijuana: People will be able to use marijuana for medical purpose. Lemon Pet : New pet owners will be protected by a lemon law that allows them to return the animal or be refunded the cost of pet or reimbursed for veterinary costs if a new pet has been purchased without disclosure of any illness. Flash Mob: Anyone caught using social media to organize a violent flash mob will be given a penalty from 3 to 6 years in prison. Cigarette Butt: Anyone who tosses the cigarette butt on the street or sidewalk will be punished by a fine of no less than $50 and up to $1,500. School Children s Allergies/EpiPens: This law protects school children who have severe food allergies and allows schools to stock up on EpiPens in case of a child s suffering an allergic reaction. Camera Installed on School Buses: The law allows the cameras installed on school buses to record any vehicle that passed the bus while the flashing lights and stop signs are on. Concealed Carry: People will be allowed to apply for the right to carry guns in their pockets or purses. Only people with State Firearms Owner ID cards will be allowed to apply. Opened Wine: The law allows people at wineries to seal and take home one bottle of opened wine. Wine must be re-corked and placed in a tamper-evident bag. 2

3 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Chicago Club of the Deaf (CCD) will have their general meetings in Below is a list of meeting dates: February 22nd March 22nd April 26th May 17th June 28th July 26th August 23rd September 27th October 25th November 22nd (Elections & Thanksgiving dinner) All meetings start at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Avenue, Chicago, IL. Effective January 1, 2014, the new membership fee is $10 (individual); $15 (married couple); $5 (senior aged 55 and up) For more information, check the website: VALENTINE S DAY EVENTS February 8th - Deaf European American Association of Chicago (DEAAC) will host their event at Galvin s Public House, 5901 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, at 7 p.m. There will be games, prizes, red costume contest, and much more. The cost is $3 (general); free for women. For more information, call VP. February 8th - McHenry County Deaf Club (MCDC) will have their event at Lakes Bowl, 601 Railroad Avenue, Round Lake, IL, 7 p.m. There will be best costume contest, door prizes, jackpot, and others. TOWNSHIP CLOSED Schaumburg Township will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014, in observance of Presidents Day. The 6th Annual Central Basketball Association of the Deaf (CBAD) Regional Tournament will be held on March 14 16, 2014, at Chicago Park District, Chicago. They need volunteers: Scorekeepers, security, door patrol, court patrol, and others. Please contact Bobby: abcdrawalji@ gmail.com for more information or if you are interested to help out. Harper College will host their 10th Annual Harper Deaf Volleyball Tournament on April 26, 2014, at Harper College in Palatine. They are looking for volunteers for all day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are three duties that you can choose from: Working at the concessions selling food and drinks (2 different shifts that you can pick one); Scorekeeping; door patrols (2 shifts that you can pick one). Please reply by March 21st to confirm your interest and preferred duty - Contact Debby Sampson: dsampson@harpercollege.edu . Check for more information. ITHI ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 50th Annual Illinois Teachers of Hard of Hearing and Deaf Individuals Conference will be held on February 27 - March 1, 2014, at Hilton Hotel, Springfield, IL. The theme will be Celebrating 50 Years of Change and Progress. To register or for more information about the conference or rates, go to IDHHC COMMISSION MEETINGS (IDHHC - Illinois Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission) February 6, 2014 May 8, 2014 These meetings will be held at 1 p.m., at University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), in the PAC building, 1 University Plaza, Springfield, IL. Visit the website: or call VP. 3

4 DEAF SENIOR GATHERINGS in 2014 All Angels Guild Senior Citizens: Meet on the 1st Thursday of the month, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 116 E. Church Street in Elmhurst, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided and you can donate money to cover the lunch cost. The dates are: February 6th, March 6th, April 3rd, May 1st, June 5th, August 7th, September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th & December 4th (Christmas luncheon). No gatherings in July. For more information, contact Laura Thompson: VP or lthompson@aimcil.org . CBS/HAD (Congregation Bene Shalom/Hebrew Association of the Deaf) Senior Citizens: Meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month, at Congregation Bene Shalom of the Deaf, 4435 W. Oakton, Skokie, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost of lunch is $3 per person. The dates are: February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th, August 6th, September 3rd, October 1st, November 5th, and December 3rd. No meetings in June & July. For more information, contact Nona Balk: VP; hebrewsemdeaf@juno.com . CDS (Chicagoland Deaf Seniors) - Game Day : Meet on the 2nd Monday of the month, at Pop s Pizza & Sports Bar, 817 E. Nerge Road, Roselle, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to bring their games. The dates are: February 10th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, & December 8th. For more information, contact Madelyn Cumbo: stgrace48@aol.com . Joliet Deaf Senior Citizens: Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, at American Legion, Harwood Post #5, 705 S. Larkin Ave (Frontage Road), Joliet, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission fee is $7 per person including bingo games & door prizes. Water, soda & rolls will be available for sale. Coffee & hot tea are free. Bring your own lunch. The dates are: February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, July 9th, August 13th, September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, and December 3rd (Christmas party). For more information, lhusted@webtv.net or carmenrinken@aol.com. Rockford Senior Citizen for the Deaf: Meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, at Center for Sight & Hearing, 8038 MacIntosh Lane, Rockford, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission if you bring a dish, but it costs $5 without a dish. The dates are: February 13th, March 13th, April 10th, May 8th, June 12th, July 10th, August 14th, September 11th, October 9th, November 13th, & December 11th (Christmas party). For more information, contact Joseph Siudzinski: VP. St. Francis Borgia Deaf Senior Citizens: Meet on the 4th Thursday of the month, at Stokes Hall, 8025 W. Addison Street, Chicago, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (door will open at 9 a.m.). The admission cost is $2. Bring your own lunch. There will be bingo, jackpots, and raffles. The dates are: February 27th, March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th, July 24th, August 28th, September 25th, October 23rd, November 20th, and December 9th - Falls on Tuesday (Christmas luncheon). For more information, call VP; V. WOMEN, DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS? This unique workshop, hosted by Midwest Center on Laws & the Deaf (MCLD), is open for all women who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing who will learn their rights to communication access. The presenters will cover the ADA and stress rights under Title II (courts) and Title III (hospitals and clinics) and also other disabilities right laws. This workshop will take place on Monday, February 3, 2014, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Anixter Center, Polk Conference Room, 3rd floor, 2032 Clybourn, Chicago. It will be presented in American Sign Language. A CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) will be provided. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Karen Aguilar: KGAguilar@mcld.org or Voice. 4

5 HOW DIVORCE & REMARRIAGE CAN AFFECT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS? Social Security benefit applies to divorced spouses, as long as the spouse has not remarried. Divorced spouses are even entitled to survivor benefits in certain circumstances. As a spouse, you have the option of claiming a Social Security retirement benefit based on your own earnings record or collecting a spousal benefit equal to half of your spouse's Social Security benefit. You are automatically entitled to whichever benefit is higher and you can collect on your spouse's record even if you have never worked yourself. As a divorced spouse, you can collect benefits on your ex-spouse's record, even if the ex-spouse has remarried and even if the ex-spouse's new spouse is collecting on the same record. But, to get this benefit, you must meet the following requirements: 1. You were married for at least 10 years. 2. You are at least 62 years old. 3. Your ex-spouse is eligible for retirement benefits. 4. You are currently unmarried. If your ex-spouse has not yet applied for retirement benefits, but can qualify for them, you can receive benefits on his or her record provided you have been divorced for at least two years. In addition, if you have reached full retirement age and are eligible for both a spouse's benefit and your own retirement benefit, you have a choice. You can receive only the spouse's benefit and delay receiving your own retirement benefit until a later date. The longer you delay taking your own benefit, the higher the benefit you receive later will be (up to age 70). If you remarry, you cannot receive benefits on your former spouse's record unless the new marriage ends (by death, divorce, or annulment). Survivor's Benefits If you are the divorced spouse of a worker, who has passed away, you could still be eligible for survivor's benefits if the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Survivor's benefits are equivalent to the deceased spouse's full Social Security benefit amount. However, if you remarry before the age of 60, you cannot collect survivor's benefits (unless the marriage ends for any reason). If you remarry after age 60, you can still receive survivor's benefits based on your former spouse's record. However, if your new spouse is also collecting Social Security benefits and you would receive a higher amount based on the new spouse's work record, you will receive the higher amount. Additionally, if you are caring for a child under age 16 or disabled, who is getting benefits on the record of your former spouse, you would not have to meet the 10-year marriage rule. ST. PATRICK DAY EVENT Chicago Catholic Ephpheta (CCE) will host a St. Patrick s Day event on March 9, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at St. Francis Borgia Deaf Center, 8025 W. Addison in Chicago. There will be food, cash prizes and gift baskets. The cost is: $15 (adults); $5 (children between 5 & 12 years). Deadline: March 2nd. Mail a check (payable to CCE) to Deaf Catholic Committee, C/O Patty Jo Koras, 8033 W. Addison, Chicago, IL No refunds. You can also pay at the door. BENEFITS ACCESS APPLICATION Benefits Access Application (BAA) was formerly known as the Circuit Breaker. The benefits are: Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Ride Free Transits and License Plate Discount. Benefits are good for 2 years under the BAA once you are approved. If you already applied last year (2013), you do not need to re-apply. Just wait until next year (2015). If you have not applied in 2013, you would need to apply anytime this year. No paper application available - Must file online. We can assist you in filing your application. To make an appointment to apply for BAA or for more information, contact Sarita: VP or sphadke@schaumburgtownship.org . 5

6 FEBRUARY 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat * Interpreted Show SCH TWP refers to Schaumburg Township 1 WSAD Deaf Classic Bowling Tournament at Bowling Green in West Chicago ( 2 3 MCLD s workshop at Anixter Center, Polk Conference room 2032 Clybourn Chicago; 5pm; RSVP: kgaguilar@mcld.org 4 5 CBS/HAD Senior Citizens at Congregation Bene Shalom, Skokie; 10am to 4:30pm ( VP) 6 All Angels Senior Citizens at Episcopal Church, Elmhurst; 10amto 3pm ( VP) 7 Deaf Chat Coffee at Panera Bread, 9611 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL; 6 to 9 pm 8 DEAAC s Valentine event at Galvin s Public House, Chicago; 7pm: $3 (men); free for women ( VP) 9 * A Free Man of Color at DePaul s Fullerton Stage, 2350 N. Racine Ave, Chicago; 2pm ( V) 10 CDS Game Day at Pop s Pizza & Sports Bar, 817 E. Nerge Road, Roselle; 11 am to 4 pm Joliet Deaf Senior Citizens at American Legion in Joliet; 9am to 4pm (lhusted@webt v.net ) 13 Rockford Senior Citizens at CSH, 8038 Macintosh Lane, Rockford; 9am-3pm 14 Deaf Chat Coffee at Starbucks in Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Rd, Schaumburg; 7-11pm * Number the Stars at Merle Reskin Theatre, Chicago; 2pm ( V) 17 SCH TWP CLOSED (Presidents Day Holiday) 18 Last day to register to vote 19 Deaf Social/ Support Group - Valentine Luncheon at SCH TWP; 11:30am; Deadline: Feb. 9th SCH TWP Board Meeting at 7pm; Interpreter provided upon 2 weeks notice Deaf Chat Coffee at Starbucks Coffee, 1050 N. Rte 83, Mundelein; 7-10pm 27 St. Francis Deaf Seniors at 8025 W. Addison Street, Chicago; 10am to 2pm 28 Deaf Chat Coffee at Starbucks, 1441 S. Randall Road, Geneva, IL; 7 to 10 p.m. 22 Chicago Club of the Deaf (CCD) General Meeting at Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago; 3 p.m. (www. chicagoclubdeaf.org) 6

7 RECOVERY MEETINGS The Anixter Center's Addiction Recovery of the Deaf (ARD) offers an Open ASL/ Silent Recovery meeting every Monday (except holidays) from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. The meetings are held at Anixter Center s Addiction Recovery of the Deaf, 2001 N. Clybourn Avenue, Suite 402, Chicago, IL For more information, mbassett704@ yahoo.com or mbassett757@hotmail.com. NEW DEAF CHAT COFFEE GATHERING A new Deaf Chat Coffee gathering is set up for the 1st Friday of each month at Starbucks, 198 West Roosevelt Road in Villa Park, IL from 6 to 9 p.m. The next one will be held on February 7, ITAC PROGRAM Our ITAC Selection Center is available for Amplified phone, CapTel phone, and TTY viewing or testing. ITAC s program distributes FREE phones and TTYs to any Illinois resident with a certified hearing loss, and local residential phone service. There are 4 different amplified phones from which to choose. Also available is the CapTel (captioned phone) loan program. For more information, please call ext V, TTY or VP. SHIP PROGRAM The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) offers free individual counseling services at local sites throughout Illinois. There are trained volunteers who can assist with various Medicare issues. There are several SHIP counselors at Schaumburg Township who can assist you in any way. Sarita Phadke is one of the SHIP counselors. For an appointment, call V, VP or TTY. SHIP is not affiliated with any insurance company. SHIP counselors do not sell or solicit any type of insurance. Deaf Line is published monthly. Any agency, organization, or group may reprint any of our articles provided proper credit is given by name of newsletter and date. Address: Schaumburg Township Deaf Services One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL Phone: TTY; VP; V; Fax Website: Disabled Services Gerry Bartnicke Director: ext 2020; gbartnicke@schaumburgtownship.org Bonnie Sargent Assistant Director: ext. 2022; bsargent@schaumburgtownship.org Sarita Phadke Deaf Services Coordinator: TTY; VP; sphadke@schaumburgtownship.org Lauren Perschon Public Relations/Communications Coordinator: ext. 2025; lperschon@schaumburg township.org Caryn Remer Benefits Counselor; ext. 2024; cremer@schaumburgtownship.org Township Officials Mary Wroblewski Supervisor Diane Dunham Trustee W. Robert Vinnedge Trustee Jeffrey S. Mytych Trustee Nimish Jani Trustee Timothy M. Heneghan Clerk John R. Lawson, C.I.A.O. Assessor Scott M. Kegarise Highway Commissioner Schaumburg Township is a Selection Center for the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) Program (Amplified Phones, CapTel Phone and TTYs). Happy Valentine s Day! 7

8 DEAFLINE SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP DEAF SERVICES ONE ILLINOIS BLVD. HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 154 SCHAUMBURG, IL. DATES TO REMEMBER FEBRUARY, 2014 Sunday, February 9 - Deadline for the Deaf Social/Support Group s Valentine Luncheon Friday, February 14 - Valentine s Day Monday, February 17 - SCH TWP Closed (Presidents Day) Wednesday, February 19 - Deaf Social/Support Group: Valentine Luncheon at SCH TWP; 11:30 a.m. (Info: VP) Wednesday, February 26 - SCH TWP Board meeting, 7 p.m. This Deafline Newsletter is printed courtesy of SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program).