To coincide with MS Awareness Month this March, the Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to unveil its 2014 Illinois Lottery $2 instant-win ticket, “The MS Project” with 100% of net proceeds to benefit the National MS Society! Since 2007, the annual lottery tickets have raised more than $6 million for MS research in Illinois--not to mention awareness!

The Illinois Lottery Instant Ticket for MS concept was made a reality through the hard work of volunteer MS activists from the Greater Illinois and Gateway area chapters who collaborated with advocacy specialists to craft legislation and see the “Scratch Out MS” bill signed into law in October 2007. Proceeds from the instant ticket fund competitive local research grants, with the first grants awarded in 2009.

Grants considered for funding must pertain to the repair of damage caused by acquired demyelinating disease of the central nervous system; and must develop and advance the understanding, techniques and modalities effective for maintaining function, mobility and strength through preventive physical therapy or other treatments and restoration of function. Research recipients are selected only through the standard peer-review process established by the National MS Society's home office and Illinois Department of Public Health.

Illinois HB4866/SB1238, signed into law in 2012, took effect on Jan. 1, 2014. The new law requres all Illinois gas/fill up stations to display at least one ADA compliant motor fuel dispenser with a direct telephone number to the station that allows a disabled operator of a motor vehicle to request refueling assistance. The new law gives people with disabilities greater access at gasoline service stations within the community 

HB4866/SB1238 was developed in collaboration with the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Disability liaison, the Illinois Assistive Technology Project, Access living and the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living.