Downers Grove's Autism Optimism Illinois Surpasses $50,000 Minimum Funding Goal, Assembles Premier Advisory Board, and Prepares to Open a New Benchmark in Integrated Autism Therapy

A Pioneering Model of Clinician Ownership, Community Investment, and Perpetual Philanthropy Takes Shape at 3030 Finley Road

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. – March 20, 2026 – The landscape of autism care in Chicagoland's western suburbs is undergoing a profound transformation. Autism Optimism Illinois (AO-IL) today announced it has surpassed its initial $50,000 minimum funding milestone through an SEC-regulated crowdfunding campaign in less than 60 days, introduced a formidable 17-member advisory board, and on April 2, 2026, will unveil its 5,100-square-foot, purpose-built sanctuary at 3030 Finley Road in Downers Grove.

Founded by Chip Borkowski in honor of his son Bennett, a 35-year-old autistic adult, AO-IL is designed to resolve the region's six-to-18-month waitlists for services, combat systemic clinician burnout, and weave a permanent commitment to the disability community into its financial fabric.

Community-Powered Growth: The Funding Hope Campaign

Unlike donation-based models, AO-IL's "Funding Hope" campaign, hosted on a SEC-registered platform, allows both accredited and non-accredited community members to own an actual stake in the clinic's success. The campaign ultimately seeks up to $1.2 million to scale operations across five clinics and procure state-of-the-art therapeutic technology for use in the clinics and in clients' homes where it truly matters.

"This isn't a GoFundMe," said Borkowski. "People who believe in what we're building can actually own a piece of it. The response in the first 60 days tells us families, clinicians, and impact investors are ready for a different model, one where financial success ties directly to clinical excellence and social impact."

Investment levels range from $100 to $25,000, each with tangible applications: sensory room equipment, family take-home kits, gym flooring, and clinician training. All investments are governed by Regulation Crowdfunding, with full disclosure available on the SEC's EDGAR database.

A Purpose-Built Sanctuary at 3030 Finley Road

The 5,100-square-foot facility, centrally located in DuPage County with easy access to I-88, I-355, and major highways like Rt. 38, Rt. 53, and Rt. 34, was designed from the ground up for neurodiverse needs:

• Private therapy rooms with sound-dampening materials, adaptive furniture, and visual schedules for focused ABA, speech, and fine motor work

• Expansive gymnasium with therapy swings, climbing structures, and trampolines for gross motor and social skills development

• Three Montessori-inspired learning areas fostering independence and self-directed play

• Four private restrooms, two dedicated to potty training protocols, two for staff and parents

• Clinician sanctuary spaces, including private BCBA offices and a welcoming staff breakroom, to prevent burnout

• Ten reserved parking spaces and a dedicated drop-off zone for stress-free arrivals

Integrated Care, Professional Liberation

AO-IL houses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy under one roof, enabling real-time collaboration across disciplines. The result: truly coordinated, whole-child care that accelerates progress and reduces family stress.

The organization's "Earned Equity" model allows its Clinical Director/Managing BCBA to join as an immediate equity partner with no financial buy-in, earning 5-15% of clinic net profits over three years. This revolutionary approach transitions clinicians from employees to owners, ensuring decisions stay with those who know the children best.

Career opportunities for BCBAs, RBTs, SLPs, OTs, and PTs are available at www.autismoptimism-il.com/careers.

The Misericordia Covenant: Profits with Perpetual Purpose

At AO-IL's ethical core is a binding pledge to donate 10% of net profits forever to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting over 700 adults with developmental disabilities. The partnership is deeply personal: Bennett Borkowski resides at a Misericordia Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA – The Connolly Home in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago).

AO-IL will extend Misericordia's nationally recognized employment model by becoming a community job site for neurodiverse adults, hiring residents for roles in therapy material organization, reception support, and ambassadorship, with on-site job coaches ensuring success. The clinic will also offer internships and volunteer opportunities, creating a truly inclusive ecosystem.

An Advisory Board Built on Lived Experience and Professional Mastery

AO-IL's 17-member advisory board operates as four interconnected pillars:

• Family Voice: Led by Chip and Bennett Borkowski, establishing "The Bennett Test" for all decisions: … Would this have helped our family?

• Investment, Legal, and Governance: Includes Kevin Connelly, a leader at Misericordia for 30+ years, and attorney Matt Pfeiffer

• Clinical, Operations, and Integrated Care: Includes speech-language pathologist Casey Prescott and construction veteran Todd Polcyn

• Growth, Branding, and Franchise Development: Led by franchise co-founders Gregg Rondinelli and Joseph Lee Whitfield, plus Efrain Aguilar of Artsition+, directing BIPOC equity initiatives

This synthesis of expertise creates a leadership ecosystem keeping AO-IL authentic, excellent, and credible as it grows.

A Clinic Built on Partnership

The path to 3030 Finley Road was paved by key partners:

• Steve Lieberman and Salmon Partners (building owner) for a tenant-focused long-term lease

• Michael Kammes of Kammes Commercial Real Estate for strategic site selection and lease negotiation

• Mark Spehr and TrustBank Wheaton (Newsweek's America's Best Regional Banks 2025) for banking services and financial counsel

• Efrain, Ricardo, and the Artsition team for crafting a compelling brand narrative and producing high-impact video content that translates our mission into visual stories, helping us secure funding and community support

Save the Date: Ribbon-Cutting on World Autism Awareness Day

The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. (doors open at noon) at 3030 Finley Road. The event will include facility tours and light refreshments. Client sessions begin in May 2026.

About Autism Optimism Illinois

A clinician-owned and led integrated autism therapy center opening in May 2026 at 3030 Finley Road, Downers Grove. Providing ABA, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy under one roof. Ten percent of net profits donated to Misericordia Heart of Mercy in perpetuity. Master franchisee for Autism Optimism Franchising in Illinois. Learn more at www.autismoptimism-il.com.

Investment Disclosure

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Autism Optimism Illinois, Inc. is conducting an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. Full details, including risks, are available in the company's Form C offering statement at invest.fundinghope.com/offering/aoil/details. No money or consideration is being solicited, and if sent, will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities can be accepted until the offering is qualified. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. This release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially.

For More Information, Partnership Inquiries, or to Schedule a Tour

Visit: www.autismoptimism-il.com

Call or text: Chip Borkowski at (630) 254-1718

Email: Chip@AutismOptimism-IL.com

"We're not just opening a clinic; we're opening a door to a better life."