State Budget Could Be a Win for Older Illinoisans

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The State Budget in Illinois could deliver good news to older adults across the state. With the state budget having passed both houses of the General Assembly, critical senior services programs have received the essential funding they need. The budget would allow older Illinoisans to live independently in the communities of their own choice and avoid costly and premature institutional care.

Some budget highlights:
• Additional funding for the Community Care Program—a program that provides support and services to allow seniors to remain at home as they age.

• Full funding for services as well as rate enhancements will help to ensure that the workers providing services to the elderly get the wages and benefits they deserve.

• The Elder Abuse and Neglect Program also received additional funding that will improve services to older adults who have become victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• In addition, the budget provides new funding for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program—a program that helps to protect the rights of nursing home residents. Prior to this year, the Ombudsman program had not received an increase in funding in eight years.

AARP worked hard for the inclusion of these key issues in the budgets and commends the Illinois legislature for their commitment to ensuring that essential programs for older Illinoisans are funded for Fiscal Year 2009.

AARP is now urging the Governor to sign this legislation into law and ensure that funds are invested in community alternatives that allow older adults to live independently and have access to programs and opportunities designed to improve their quality of life.

For more information on programs and services to assist seniors in Illinois, please contact the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.