The Illinois Council of the Blind (ICB) holds a convention, usually in the Spring of each year. Sometimes, these conventions are hybrid, meaning that attendees have two ways to attend. They can either join us in person at a hotel somewhere in Illinois. They can also join in on the activities via Zoom or listen on ACB Media. Sometimes, the conventions are held virtually, meaning that all activities take place on Zoom and are broadcast on ACB Media.
Regardless of which format the convention takes, they are filled with programming that is designed to be educational, fun and interactive. There are also exhibits, especially at the hybrid events where conventioneers can see and touch different products or learn about different services available to them. There are also meal functions and social opportunities for those who attend hybrid conventions in person, along with a memorial service where we take the time to remember those who have passed away that played important roles in ICB or the Illinois Blindness community. And finally, business sessions are held where we conduct organizational business such as adopting resolutions and conducting elections.
Convention 2026
The 2026 ICB Convention will take place as a hybrid event from Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, 2026. We will gather in person at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 East Adams Street in Springfield, Illinois. If you want to make hotel reservations for the convention, you can call 217-544-8800 to reserve a room. Be sure to mention you are with the Illinois Council of the Blind Convention to get our room rate. You may also Make a Reservation by Following This Link. Room rate is $123 plus tax per night, and our room block closes on April 2, and our hotel is part of the Hilton Hotels family. In addition to the convention dates listed, we will have our initial convention business session as a virtual event on Zoom on Tuesday, April 21.
Registration is now open for the 2026 ICB Convention. You can either call the ICB office at 217-523-4967 to register; or register online using this link.
Local Transportation
If you will be attending the 2026 ICB Convention in person in Springfield, you have several options for local transportation. Springfield has both Uber and Lyft ride share options. Both have pretty good availability during the day, meaning you won’t have a long wait. AS in other places, there can be times fares are significantly higher than usual.
The Springfield Mass Transit District offers fixed route service from 6:00 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. on weekdays, and 6:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no service on Sunday. You can either call 217-522-5531 or go to www.smtd.org (opens in a new tab) for route and schedule information. If calling, tell the dispatcher where you are and where you want to go. Our convention hotel is located at the Northeast corner of Seventh and Adams streets. Seventh is one-way South, Adams is two-way near the hotel. Fares are $1.25.
If you are eligible for Paratransit service in your home area and you want to use Access Sangamon, our area’s Paratransit service while attending the convention, you first need to have your home transit entity provide documentation of your paratransit eligibility to them. This can be faxed to Attention Access Department at 217-789-9819. IF for any reason faxing doesn’t work, you or your home entity can call 217-522-8594 to ask how documentation can be emailed. Once you have been entered into the Access Sangamon system, you call 217-522-8594 between 6:00 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. on weekdays or 6:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Saturdays to request a ride. Be sure to give the dispatcher your starting and destination addresses and the time you want to travel. The hotel address is 701 East Adams street, Springfield, Illinois. Once you are given a scheduled pickup time, you need to be ready 30 minutes before that time as the vehicle can arrive within a 30-minute window of the scheduled time. We do offer will call service so you can call and let Access know when you’re ready to return, however you may have up to a two-hour wait to be picked up so it’s best to schedule both ways. Fares are $2.50 each way, and there is no service on Sunday.
Area Restaurants and Veterinary Care
If you will be joining us in Springfield in person and either are looking for someplace to eat or your guide dog runs into issues, check out our area restaurant and veterinary care information
Our convention committee is hard at work planning the activities and programs for the convention. You can contact the Convention Committee with ideas by sending them to the ICB Office or by calling 217-523-4967.