Bolingbrook Advocate Graduates from Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy (IWILTA)

Bolingbrook, IL — Allaina Humphreys, a disability rights advocate, community organizer, and mother of three, graduated on October 16 from the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy (IWILTA). This program empowers women to run for elected office and assume key leadership roles. Humphreys made history this year as the program’s first full-time wheelchair user to complete the training, was elected Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access for Illinois NOW (National Organization for Women) on September 27, 2025, and was just appointed to the board of directors for the non-partisan organization, CHANGE Illinois on October 17th.

“This program gave me the tools not just to step into politics, but to help make sure our public spaces truly reflect the diversity of the communities they serve,” Humphreys said. “Disabled voices — especially those of people with significant disabilities like mine — are too often missing in policy-making. I plan to change that.”

Over the past year, Humphreys trained intensively in campaign strategy, fundraising, public speaking, media engagement, and policy development. She met with elected officials in Illinois and Washington, D.C., and worked one-on-one with political strategists. “That hands-on experience was invaluable,” she said. “I now have a clear roadmap for building coalitions and navigating political systems; skills I’m ready to put to work in my community.”

“Allaina has been an invaluable leader and partner in advocating for LGBTQ+ and disability rights,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “I’m proud to congratulate her on completing IWIL's Training Academy, and I look forward to continuing our work to build a brighter, more inclusive future for our community.”

IWILTA president-elect Pam Monetti added that “Allaina’s presence in this year’s cohort has been both groundbreaking and inspiring. Her perspective on accessibility and inclusion enriched the program, and I have no doubt she will bring those values into every role she takes on.”

Rooted in Bolingbrook: Where Access and Diversity Meet

Humphreys’ passion for accessibility and inclusion is deeply tied to her adopted hometown of Bolingbrook, one of the few municipalities in the world to have visitability standards written into law, requiring new homes to include no-step entries and accessible first-floor plans. She moved to Bolingbrook because it was the only community in Illinois where she could find affordable housing that didn’t require extensive modifications to be livable for a wheelchair user.
“Bolingbrook gave me what most people take for granted — the ability to visit my neighbors, attend community events, and move through my town without barriers,” she said. “Living here showed me what’s possible when access isn’t an afterthought, but a value built into the foundation of a community.”

She also credits Bolingbrook’s rich diversity — among the highest of any city its size in the country — for shaping her worldview. “This is a place where, door-to-door, you see people of every race, faith, and background. My three children have grown up believing that it’s truly the content of your character that defines you — not the color of your skin, your gender, or your abilities. That’s the kind of world I want to help build everywhere.”
Last year, Humphreys successfully advocated for the Village of Bolingbrook to modernize all municipally owned accessible parking signs to a progressive icon depicting a person in motion, symbolizing independence and inclusion. Her leadership sparked regional change, with the Fountaindale Public Library and the City of Romeoville soon following suit.
She also led the effort to add explicit nondiscrimination protections in Bolingbrook’s municipal code covering gender identity, sexual orientation, and reproductive health decisions, aligning local law with the Illinois Human Rights Act and strengthening protections for residents across the community.

Building Inclusive Spaces and Acceptance Through Art and Recreation

In addition to her advocacy at the policy level, Humphreys has created programs that put inclusion into practice. She recently wrapped the fourth annual Celebration of Special Recreation, an event she founded and built through a coalition between the Bolingbrook Arts Council, the Bolingbrook Park District, and the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA).
The event highlights adaptive sports, accessible arts, and community resources for people with disabilities, bringing together families of all abilities for a day of free activities and celebration. “It’s one of my favorite days of the year,” Humphreys said. “It shows what happens when you make access joyful — when inclusion is something you can feel, not just talk about.”

Expanding the Table for Women with Disabilities

As Vice President of DEIA for Illinois National Organization for Women, Humphreys plans to bring disability into the feminist and political conversation in a much more intentional way — ensuring that disabled women are included not just as participants, but as leaders. She is actively recruiting women from all marginalized backgrounds to join the organization, help change the conversation, and better direct efforts in order to appropriately and more fully address the needs of all women in Illinois both legislatively and through mutual aid.
Being a disabled woman in politics isn’t about overcoming something — it’s about representing something,” she said. “We deserve to be seen as the experts of our own lives and as essential voices in shaping the future.”
“Allaina Humphreys exemplifies the next generation of bold, compassionate leaders Illinois needs. Her leadership brings a powerful voice to the table, one shaped by lived experience, community service, and a relentless drive for equity.”, shared State Representative Natalie Manley (D-98). “Programs like IWIL are critical because they don’t just train women to lead, they empower them to transform our systems for the better.”
Allaina Humphreys (she/her) is a Disability Lead 2025 graduate, founder and chair of Bolingbrook Pride, vice chair of the Bolingbrook Arts Council, Accessibility Advisory Board Member for Trans Up Front Illinois, founding member of the Accessible Community Task Force of Naperville, and an entrepreneur as owner of Free Wheelin’ Design. She has conducted accessibility audits for events such as Elgin Pride and Pittsburgh Pride, coordinated pride flag raisings and proclamations in Bolingbrook for the last four years, advised local governments on inclusive infrastructure, and successfully advocated for Bolingbrook to adopt explicit nondiscrimination protections for gender identity, sexuality, and reproductive health decisions, aligning local law with the Illinois Human Rights Act. She also successfully advocated for Bolingbrook to replace all municipally owned accessible parking spots with a progressive, accessible symbol indicating the agency of folks with disabilities. Fountaindale Library and Romeoville have followed suit.
Looking ahead, Humphreys plans to use her IWILTA training to strengthen grassroots campaigns, support emerging leaders from underrepresented communities, and eventually run for public office herself. “This graduation isn’t the finish line; it’s the launch pad,” she said.

About IWIL Training Academy

The Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy prepares Democratic, pro-choice women to run for elected office, seek public appointments, and govern effectively at all levels in Illinois. The program eliminates financial barriers to access and builds skills in campaign management, fundraising, communications, and ethical governance. IWIL does not endorse candidates but equips them to lead with integrity and impact.

Contact:

IWIL Training Academy Communications
Email: info@iwiltrainingacademy.org
Phone: (312) 646-0276
Website: www.iwiltrainingacademy.org

Allaina Humphreys
Email: allainahumphreys@gmail.com
Phone: (630) 697-2958