Little City Executive Director Shawn E. Jeffers Appointed to Governor Pat Quinn’s Human Service Commission

Little City Foundation’s Shawn E. Jeffers will contribute more than 25 years of expertise in human services and non-profit management, and help represent the field of disability care in Governor Pat Quinn’s newly developed Human Service Commission

PALATINE, IL, DEC. 22, 2009 – Aimed at addressing issues such as the process for determining fair, adequate and timely reimbursement; efficient management of publicly-funded programs and services; and projections for future human services need in Illinois, Little City’s Executive Director, Shawn E. Jeffers will join more than 30 of Illinois’ finest human service advocates to help represent the needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the agencies that serve them.

“I’m honored to be selected as one of the eight chief administrators of the State’s major human service agencies, and applaud the Governor’s decision to call together such a commission to help solve the pressing needs of our State as it relates to the management and funding of much-needed, invaluable services to the most vulnerable among us,” commented Mr. Jeffers. “At the end of the day, I hope we can all work together so that this commission is an exercise in humanity, and not futility.”

The Commission is comprised of members with expertise in both the public and private sectors in addition to two legislators from each of the four caucuses, human service advocates and community leaders, and Commission Co-Chairs Toni Irving and Ngoan Le.

“I am confident that this diverse group of leaders representing labor, community advocacy groups, service providers and the General Assembly will work tirelessly to ensure our State provides high-quality, efficient and effective services,” said Governor Quinn.

Owning 25 years of high-level experience in human services and non-profit management, Mr. Jeffers became the Executive Director of Little City Foundation in March 2003. Selected for his outstanding ability to provide high-quality leadership and strategic direction, Mr. Jeffers tirelessly champions to attain equality and dignity for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

He leads a volunteer board comprised of 40 of Chicago’s finest public and private sector leaders and paves the path for 400 staff in providing groundbreaking, innovative service to hundreds of Illinois’ citizens with disabilities (in Palatine and throughout the Chicagoland region). Mr. Jeffers also manages the 50-year old, non-profit service provider agency’s $23 million dollar operating budget.

For more information on the Illinois Human Services Commission, visit www.hsc.illinois.gov.

For complete information on Little City Foundation, visit www.littlecity.org or contact Lisa Reyes at 847-221-7825 or lreyes@littlecity.org.

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About Little City Foundation

For nearly 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Little City offers a variety of residential options for children and adults, as well as vocational and employment opportunities. Programs and services include a special needs foster care and adoption program; in-home support to families raising a child with developmental disabilities; a full complement of recreational activities, including Special Olympics competition; a Resale Shop that provides employment for people with disabilities; and an award-winning Center for the Arts program that features visual, performance, media and fabric arts. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago. Visit www.littlecity.org.