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Click on the links below for more tributes to Lester: Galesburg Register Mail tribute |
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IN MEMORIAM
Lester devoted the last 30 years of his life to the relentless pursuit of his vision. Working mostly on state and local issues, he was a leader in the Illinois disability rights movement. But his involvement in disability issues began on the day he was born and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. From birth, Lester experienced firsthand the struggle for rights, dignity, and access. He learned to overcome doctors who recommended putting him in an institution, professionals who said he would never talk, and a society that did not welcome people like him. His early battles in life prepared him to be an effective advocate for all people with disabilities. Lester took his experience and used it to become a strong voice for independence and opportunity. He began in the 1970s in his hometown of Galesburg, Illinois, working to gain physical access to businesses and streets. He broadened his focus to include home accessibility in the 1990s. In the last ten years, Lester shifted his work to people with developmental disabilities who are yearning for a chance to live in the community and pursue life without the oppressive constraints of institutions. This was no easy undertaking, in a state that ranks at the bottom of the country in supporting people with disabilities outside of institutions. Throughout his life, not only did Lester significantly impact organizations he was involved with, he created them. In 1997, he and his wife Barbara co-founded Citizens for H.O.M.E.S. (Housing Options Meeting Equity Standards), which helped pass a “visitability” ordinance in Urbana, Illinois in 2000. The ordinance required that homes built with city money had to be accessible to people with disabilities. This ordinance was one of the first of its kind in Illinois and only the third in the nation, and inspired other municipalities in Illinois to adopt similar measures. In the late 1990s Lester was invited by national disability rights leaders to become a member of the Disability Rights Action Coalition on Housing (DRACH), a national advocacy group to enforce and expand accessible housing. The group held regular meetings in Washington, D.C. with Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and with other HUD representatives to promote a better nationwide understanding of housing needs in the disability community. In July 2000, Lester was chosen as one of the individuals to represent Illinois on the 10th anniversary celebration of the ADA as a torch bearer. Lester was appointed in 1999 to the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and served as a member of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Housing and Community Inclusion Committee. In August 2004, he was appointed chairperson of the Council, the first chairperson to have a significant disability. As chairperson, he spearheaded research initiatives that caught the attention of the Governor’s Office and General Assembly, and encouraged them to reform the state’s disability policies. Under his leadership, the Council took a more central role in promoting progressive services in the state. Lester’s vision enabled the Council to invest in strategic initiatives with a more profound impact than ever before. On the state level, Lester and his wife Barbara founded the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois in 2004. The Campaign is a grassroots organization whose mission is to move Illinois forward in ensuring the rights and independence of people with disabilities so they are free to lead their lives as they choose. Lester’s vision for the Campaign was spurred by Governor Blagojevich’s decision to reopen a state institution in Lincoln, Illinois. Lester served on the committee tasked with deciding what to do with the institution. Although there were several people on the committee who believed in independence and civil rights, they were in the minority. Lester knew that the “insider” approach would not be enough to change the outcome in favor of freedom for people with disabilities. The Campaign challenged the committee (and the status quo) by using direct action organizing. Members staged protests and enveloped the committee in petitions to inform them that people with disabilities want to live in the community, not in an institution. This “outsider” approach worked. The committee was forced to conduct its business in open meetings, and soon quit meeting altogether. In October 2005, The Campaign organized Freedom Ride, a 700 mile trek around the state of Illinois that brought media attention to the issue of community supports and energized the disability community. This event included eight press events that culminated with a rally in Springfield in which Lester presented the Governor’s office with more than 5,000 signatures of advocates from across the state in support of community services. Lester was always interested in promoting freedom and choice for people with disabilities. In 2008, Lester helped form the Community for All Coalition, whose first task was fighting for the closure of Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. After learning of numerous incidents of abuse, neglect, and death, the Community for All Coalition took this information to the public. The group held press conferences, rallied outside the Thompson Center in Chicago, and organized people with disabilities to present petitions to Governor Quinn’s staff. Shortly before Lester passed away, Governor Quinn announced his decision to close Howe, largely as a result of the efforts of Lester and the thousands of self-advocates that he energized, organized, and mobilized. While Lester recognized his role as a leader of Illinois’ disability rights movement, he was most excited when others rose up to join him. Freedom Quest (May 2009) was a time when people with developmental disabilities spoke up and told the government what they wanted. Lester overflowed with joy as he listened to the speeches, songs, and skits put on by self-advocates. He gave his rallying call, and raised his fist in solidarity with hundreds of people calling for real freedom. Lester also served on several local boards – work that he believed was vitally important and often contributed to his direct action organizing around the state. From 1986 to 1990, he served on the board of PACE, Inc., Center for Independent Living, where he first met his wife. Between 1988 and 2004, Lester served as an active member, Vice-Chair and ultimately Chair of the Urbana Human Relations Commission where he drafted an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance plan for the City of Urbana. Lester and Barbara also served as dedicated board members of Champaign County Health Care Consumers since 1997, where they helped to found the Health Care Access Task Force and Disability Rights Task Force and participated in just about every demonstration, march, or picket possible. When Lester was not involved with these organizations, he spent his time speaking about disability rights in classrooms at the University of Illinois. Students were inspired by his personal stories, as well as his willingness to act on behalf of people with disabilities. He taught students that the civil rights movement did not end in the 1960s. Important legislation, such as the ADA, was passed because people like him were willing to take a stand and demand equal rights. In opening these students’ minds, Lester influenced the next generation of teachers, politicians, and leaders. Lester received many awards for his continual service for people with disabilities. In 2004, the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (CCDI) honored him with the Illinois Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award. The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living gave him the Edward T. Roberts Excellence in Independent Living Award. In 2007, Lester received the James Burgess Sr. Humanitarian Award from Champaign County during their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, for his contributions to the furtherance of civil rights. In August 2008, Lester travelled to New York to receive what he considered his highest honor, the Paul G. Hearne Award from the American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. After his death (January 2010), the City of Urbana honored Lester with the Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award. Lester’s many accomplishments reflected his unwavering vision for people with disabilities. His ultimate goal was for people with disabilities to be involved in all areas of life, including politics. Towards that end, he devoted many hours to developing the leadership of the next generation who will take up the torch of freedom and independence for people with disabilities. His work does not end with the ordinances, laws, and new opportunities he created. Rather, it continues in all the lives he has touched and the individuals he encouraged to fight for what is just and beneficial for all of humanity. A friend of Lester’s sums him up well when she writes, “He could light up a room with his smile and his friendly demeanor was infectious. After he spoke passionately to a room of people, every person in the audience became immediately fired up and ready to go forward as advocates for the freedom and choice for all people with disabilities. He was full of joy and mischief at every single demonstration, and he helped others feel good about coming out to the action. The joy that Lester brought always helped give new energy and enthusiasm to the struggle. “There is some solace in knowing that Lester left this life just as he lived it: with grace, full of boundless love (love he gave, and love he received), courage and determination, humor (he was a smart ass till the end), concern for others, and optimism for what lies ahead. Lester lived his life brilliantly and to tremendous effect. He was generous in every possible way -- generous with his time, his talents, his compassion, his resources, and his spirit.” This quote from Molly Ivins so beautifully captures Lester’s spirit of activism and the joy of social justice organizing:
There is no doubt that Lester was a giant, a hero among us. We promise, Lester, that we will continue the fight and enjoy it every step of the way, but we will miss you more than words can say. |
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© 2008 Campaign For Real Choice In Illinois, All Rights Reserved. |
