Our Team

The LIFE CIL Team

Rickielee Benecke

Executive Director

Rickielee Benecke

Executive Director

Rickielee Benecke, Executive Director, has been with LIFE CIL since 2012. Her responsibilities include planning the direction of the Center, personnel management, budgeting and fiscal management, and representing LIFE CIL to the public and its funders. A strong advocate for systems change, she serves as Vice-President of the INCIL (Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living) Board of Directors. Rickielee has a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Illinois State University. She is also a 2015 graduate of the Multicultural Leadership Program and has over 18 years’ experience in non-profit, human services, and management.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 231
Email:rickielee@lifecil.org

Meri Helbig

Program Director

Meri Helbig

Program Director

Meri Helbig, Program Director, has been with LIFE CIL since 2013. Her responsibilities include management, evaluation, and reporting of programs and services. She works closely with the Executive Director and Management Team to plan and implement the Center’s goals and operations. Meri has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Illinois State University. She has over 34 years serving individuals with disabilities in various roles including life skills training, vocational training, career counseling, and community access coordination.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 202
Email:meri@lifecil.org

Brianne Anderson

Administrative Services Director

Brianne Anderson

Administrative Services Director

Brianne Anderson, Administrative Services Director, has been with LIFE CIL since 2007. She is part of the Management Team and oversees the logistics and operations in the Bloomington office. Her responsibilities include supervising and developing support staff and volunteers, overseeing the equipment loan and ITAC amplified phone programs, and providing administrative support to the Board of Directors. She also assists with accounts payable and receivable and LIFE CIL’s annual audit and other fiscal compliance reviews. Brianne has a bachelor’s degree in Insurance from Illinois State University and has over 24 years of administrative experience.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 222
Email:brianne@lifecil.org

Conan Calhoun

Advocacy & Advancement Director

Conan Calhoun

Advocacy & Advancement Director

Conan Calhoun, Advocacy & Advancement Director has been with LIFE CIL since 2018. His responsibilities include individual and systems advocacy, teaching the Community Advocacy Training class, and youth transition. His professional experience includes 10 years as a Teacher Therapist Assistant working with children with disabilities and providing life skills, social skills, educational programming, social/emotional supports, and crisis intervention. Conan has his Direct Service Child Welfare license and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He is a United States Navy Veteran.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 203
Email:conan@lifecil.org

Kim Tarkowski

Vision Access Advocate

Kim Tarkowski

Vision Access Advocate

Kim Tarkowski, Vision Access Advocate has been with LIFE CIL since 2000. Kim provides information and referral, independent living training, peer mentoring and advocacy assistance to seniors with low vision, 55 and over. Her responsibilities include facilitating monthly low vision support groups, providing low vision and assistive devices at no charge, and overseeing the Patricia Tolan Cox Bequest, specific funding to assist consumers with vision loss of all ages that meet the eligibility requirements. Kim has her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 204
Email:kim@lifecil.org

Vicky Hogan

Community Living Advocate

Vicky Hogan

Community Living Advocate

Vicky Hogan, Community Living Advocate, has been with LIFE CIL since 2005. She oversees the Personal Assistant Program, providing orientations to personal assistants, and support to individuals in managing their personal assistants. She also assists with the Community Reintegration Program and maintains our Housing List. Vicky’s background includes nursing, property management and real estate.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 205
Email:vicky@lifecil.org

Andrea Kindseth

Community Reintegration Advocate

Andrea Kindseth

Community Reintegration Advocate

Andrea Kindseth, Community Reintegration Advocate, has been with LIFE CIL since 2011. Andrea’s responsibilities include assisting eligible individuals with disabilities transition out of institutional settings into their own homes. Andrea received her bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Therapeutic Recreation, and has experience working in both community and clinical settings. She enjoys working with others and assisting consumers in leading independent lives in the community.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 206
Email:andrea@lifecil.org

Shannon Tarkowski

Independent Living Advocate

Shannon Tarkowski

Independent Living Advocate

Shannon Tarkowski, Independent Living Advocate, has been with LIFE CIL since 2015. Her primary responsibilities include assisting individuals with disabilities to identify and achieve their goals in becoming more independent. She provides life skills training, individual advocacy, information and referral, peer mentoring, and transition services that help prepare youth to transition into adult life. She has a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Psychology from Augustana College.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 227
Email:shannon@lifecil.org

Joanna Salata

Administrative Assistant

Joanna Salata

Administrative Assistant

Joanna Salata, Administrative Assistant, has been with LIFE CIL since 2023 and is a former Life CIL Board member. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating the equipment loan program and ITAC amplified telephone selection services, maintaining records, filing, maintaining office supplies and equipment, assisting with staff accommodations, and other administrative duties. She has a master’s degree in Education (Adult Education and Training) and a graduate certificate in Teaching with Technology and Distance Learning from Colorado State University. Joanna has experience with alternative text and other accommodations as well as basic training in braille and American Sign Language (ASL). She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about digital accessibility and assistive technology.

Phone:309-663-5433 ext 233
Email:joanna@lifecil.org

Keith Adams

Custodian

Keith Adams

Custodian

Keith Adams, Custodian, has been with LIFE CIL since 2017. He is responsible for keeping the building and grounds at our Bloomington office clean, neat and safe. He handles all of the janitorial and light maintenance duties. He is instrumental in maintaining our equipment loan program, sanitizing all equipment and keeping it all in good working order. Keith does an excellent job making sure our Bloomington office is always tidy and in great shape.

Core Services

Home and Community Based

Vision Loss

Housing Services

Youth Programs

Equipment

Consulting and Training

Services Overview

Core Services

Home and Community Based

Vision Loss

Housing Services

Youth Programs

Equipment

Consulting and Training

Services Overview

Our Team

The LIFE CIL Team

Rickielee Benecke

Meri Helbig

Brianne Anderson

Conan Calhoun

Kim Tarkowski

Vicky Hogan

Andrea Kindseth

Shannon Tarkowski

Joanna Salata

Keith Adams

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