DECATUR - The Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities is getting a younger perspective and possibly higher expectations along with its newest member, Amy Walker of Decatur.

At 28, Walker is one of the youngest on the 23-member council, which receives $2.5 million in federal funding annually to invest in people and organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities throughout Illinois.

One of her ideas is to create a special fund to help people with developmental disabilities achieve their dreams.

"Now I'll be in a better position to make this happen," she said. "My expectations and hopes for people are very high."

Her term on the council expires Jan. 1, 2010, and she would be eligible for another three-year appointment after that.

Based at Macon Resources Inc. in Decatur, Walker has been a full-time systems change activist for Illinois Voices for a year and a half and in that capacity has traveled around the state to encourage people with developmental disabilities to lead independent lives.

She has served on the board of directors for ARC of Iroquois County in her hometown of Watseka and as a representative on the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Statewide Advisory Committee.

Executive Director Sheila T. Romano said Walker's experience living with a developmental disability also will be an asset.

Born with cerebral palsy, she was unable to walk until she was 5 and has in the past had trouble keeping office jobs, even though her disability is strictly physical.

Walker also has been a speaker at the council's Speak Up Speak Out summits this year and in 2006.

"I'm really looking forward to working with her on the council," said Chairman Lester T. Pritchard. "She thinks through things very well, is very good at communicating with people and has a real passion for what she does."

Theresa Churchill can be reached at tchurchill@herald-review.com or 421-7978.