Ottawa Daily Times - April 29,1998

The Coalition in Springfield is sponsoring their annual Legislative Reception at the State Capital on May 12, 1998. This will be the 14th Annual Disabilities Rights Conference by the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois and Technology Exposition in conjunction with Illinois Assistive Technology Project. G. Patrick Riley will be attending as both a, Pianist and as the founder and past Board President of SRC CCDI, Inception founder and past Chairman of the Board, Retired, I.V. C.I.L., Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living. The House is in session and attending will be congressmen, Senators, State Representatives and Disabled/Non-Disabled members of the State of Illinois, CCDI. Of those attending, Senator Patrick D. Welch.  District. 38 and Representative Frank J. Mautino, District. 76   from our area will be present at the Legislative Reception.

G. Patrick Riley of Ottawa began playing the piano at the age of 5 and continued throughout his teen and adult life. "Music is a very important part of my Life", stated Riley.  After being diagnosed with an Arthritic disease, (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and a Neuro-Muscular disease (Myasthenia Gravis), he began to lose his dexterity and muscle control. With no place to turn, and wanting to stay active as possible, Patrick founded the Starved Rock Chapter of Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, which covers Counties, LaSalle, Putnam, Stark, Marshall and Bureau. The Coalition began to help people with disabilities and now there are many members. Patrick Riley began the founding process of the Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living in 1994 by writing a Grant offered by the Department of Education.

The Conference will be held at the Crown Plaza hotel in Springfield Illinois.