SPRINGFIELD – To protect vulnerable older adults from abuse, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, sponsored a measure to increase reporting and investigation on elder abuse as a culmination of her work on the Illinois Elder Abuse Task Force. The governor signed Stuart’s measure into law on July 26.

“Over the last two years, I have worked with a variety of stakeholders to understand the cause of elder abuse and what we can do to better protect seniors in our communities,” said Stuart. “I want to thank everyone who worked on the task force and everyone who was involved in crafting this landmark legislation.”

Stuart sponsored Senate Bill 701, which makes several changes to the Adult Protective Services Act. The measure designates abandonment as a form of abuse, extends the statutes of limitations for financial fraud, creates a risk assessment tool to identify individuals at risk for abuse, adds friend or acquaintances as a person of trust for financial exploitation and increases trauma-informed training for caregivers. 

 “The work on the Elder Abuse Taskforce, along with improvements realized through this legislation, will improve identification and reporting to prevent cases of underreporting and help keep our seniors safe,” continued Stuart. “I look forward to continued work to fight elder abuse and neglect within our community.”

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – As part of her commitment to reduce property taxes, state Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, supported a measure to make it easier for seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities to access property tax relief.

“As families are still overcoming the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic, increasing property taxes place an additional burden on working families, particularly on those living on a fixed income,” said Ness. “We must do more to provide property tax relief to those who need it most, so this session I helped pass legislation to ensure that individuals who are eligible for property tax exemptions are able to receive that relief in full.” 

Ness helped pass House Bill 3289, which will allow chief county assessment officers to automatically approve 2021 homestead exemptions for those who received the exemption in 2020, including veterans and residents with disabilities and senior citizens. House Bill 3289 received bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by the governor. 

“As I meet and talk to residents in our community, high property taxes are consistently an area of top concern,” said Ness. “This measure is a good step in ensuring that our more vulnerable residents are receiving the property tax relief that is available to them, but the work cannot end here. I will continue to work across the aisle and support legislation to bring the needed property tax relief to families in our community.”

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Herandez, D-Aurora, is hosting her Senior Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 5 p.m to 6 p.m. at the Aurora Public Library to share resources and discuss issues impacting elder residents in the community.

“Seniors were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and it is important that we connect them with services and resources to help them get back on their feet,” said Hernandez. “While I encourage all residents in the district to contact me any time with their concerns, it’s important to me to have an open, accessible forum which seniors can attend together to discuss issues of particular importance to them and learn more about the state and local resources that are available to them.”

‘Senior Advisory Committee Meeting’

Wednesday, August 4

5 p.m. – 6 p.m

Aurora Public Library

101 S. River St

Hernandez will be joined by representatives from Xilin Association, a non-for-profit that services the needs of families in the greater Chicago area, providing resources for families, children and the elderly. The meeting will include a brief presentation on the services that Xilin Association offers to Aurora residents, as well as time for attendees to ask questions and provide feedback,

Hernandez’s event is free and open to the public. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Hernandez’s full time constituent service office by calling 630-270-1848 or emailing RepBarbaraHernandez@gmail.com.

HILLSIDE, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, will host a free Senior and Veteran Resource Fair on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy, located at 8601 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park.

“It’s critical that lawmakers assist area seniors and veterans in connecting with programs and benefits that are available to them,” Welch said. “There are a lot of programs out there that are meant to give seniors and veterans a helping hand, but not everyone is aware of them. I encourage folks to come by and see what resources they’re eligible for.”

Welch’s free Senior and Veteran Resource Fair will feature two timeslots of activity. From 10 a.m. until noon, residents will be able to meet with various vendors and service providers to answer questions about programs. Additionally, free health screenings and other resources, including free help with drafting wills and estate plans will be available to attendees. The second part of the fair, from noon until 2 p.m. will feature free lunch, bingo and other prizes.

“It’s a top priority of mine to advocate for seniors and veterans,” Welch said. “In addition to supporting policies that protect funding critical programs seniors and veterans rely on, it’s important to me that I connect folks in the area to resources that are available to them. I encourage local seniors and veterans to come by, learn about assistance they are eligible for, and participate in some of the fun activities we have planned.”

LOCKPORT, Ill. – State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, recently hosted a celebration honoring local seniors for the leadership roles they have played in the community in the past year.

“Our seniors deserve credit for their accomplishments and contributions to the local community,” Connor said. “The leadership they’ve displayed is just one part of the important role they play in cities and towns across Illinois, and the Golden Spirit award is recognition of that. I’m happy to spend time with people who are also committed to building a stronger Illinois for current and future generations.”

This is the 3rd time Connor has held his annual event recognizing local seniors for their accomplishments with the Golden Spirit award. Connor’s commitment to the senior community has been a driving force deciding his legislative priorities as a representative, where he supported funding for senior services in the most recent state budget, worked to crack down on con artists who target seniors and backed property tax relief efforts for the senior community.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to provide real property tax relief to local homeowners, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is highlighting a new law that will make it easier for senior citizens to access a valuable property tax relief program.

“Seniors in our community have worked really hard their entire lives to provide for their families and save for retirement,” Slaughter added. “Seniors are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, and they shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their homes or buying groceries and medications. This bill will eliminate some of the red tape and bureaucracy in accessing senior property tax relief while reducing the paperwork older residents will have to complete every year. As property taxes continue to skyrocket, I’m committed to working to provide real property tax relief for working families and seniors on fixed incomes who can’t afford to continue to pay more.”

Currently, senior homeowners must apply annually to receive a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, which lowers seniors’ property tax bills by reducing a home’s assessed value by $8,000 in Cook County. Slaughter’s House Bill 833, which is now law, eliminates the annual application process and creates a 5-year pilot program in which seniors would not need to reapply each year to qualify for the property tax relief.

“Forcing seniors to reapply every year for the property tax relief that they are entitled to create an undue burden for senior homeowners,” said Slaughter. “This new law will ensure that seniors aren’t missing out on property tax relief that allows them to keep more money in their wallets and helps them to stay in their homes as they age.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, backed a new law battling elder abuse and exploitation which requires face-to-face assessments of a senior’s living situation and interviews with family members, friends and neighbors in the case of a report of mistreatment.

“We have to do a better job ensuring that seniors are treated with the care and respect they deserve,” Connor said. “The safety and security of our community is my first priority and I will work to ensure criminals can’t take advantage of our senior citizens who are living on a fixed income and already vulnerable to huge and unpredictable health care costs.”

Connor supported House Bill 3065, which requires state agencies investigating reports of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of senior citizens to interview family members, friends, neighbors and anyone else who may have direct knowledge of the situation. Face-to-face interviews will ensure thorough inquiries into every report, and help eliminate lax examinations that leave elders in abusive situations. The legislation was passed with strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“Retirees deserve to live a safe and comfortable life, and to be left alone by con artists and crooks,” Connor said. “This law requires that, in the case of a complaint, in-person meetings will get every case gets the attention it needs. There is more work to be done, but we are making progress towards our goal of an Illinois that is safer and stronger.”

BATAVIA, Ill. – Continuing her commitment to fight for affordable health care for local residents, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is partnering with the Illinois Department on Aging for a Medicare Seminar.

“I am working to build an Illinois that prioritizes the needs of seniors and middle-class families by addressing outrageous rises in health care prices and reining in prescription drug costs,” said Villa. “Part of my commitment to building a stronger Illinois is fighting for affordable health care, especially for our seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes.”

Villa is inviting area seniors, their family members and caretakers to her upcoming Medicare Seminar on Friday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at Batavia City Hall, located at 100 N. Island Ave. Experts from the Illinois Department of Aging will give a presentation about different Medicare plans, new enrollment, important deadlines, and will be available to answer questions about senior care.

“Understanding Medicare, the enrollment process and the different plans is very important,” continued Villa. “I encourage local seniors to stop by my upcoming Medicare seminar to learn more about Medicare and the savings and benefits they are entitled to.”

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

ALTON, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to stay accessible across the 111th district, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, will be hosting two events in on Oct. 9, including satellite office hours in East Alton and a Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar in Granite City.

“These are two opportunities for residents to take advantage of if they have a state or local issue they are seeking help with or would like to learn more about ways to protect themselves from fraud,” said Bristow. “I know not everyone can make it to my office in Alton during normal business hours, so I work to make myself accessible by hosting events in every community in the district.” 

Bristow will be cohosting a Senior Fraud Prevention seminar with area legislators at 10:30 a.m. at the Granite City Township Hall. A representative from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office will be there to talk about common scams that commonly target seniors and to provide new tips and information about ways to protect themselves.

Later that day, Bristow will join state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, to host joint satellite office hours from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the East Alton Village Hall. Residents are encouraged to stop by to discuss any state or local issues or to answer questions about any state application, like a FOID or concealed carry license, or just to say hello. All events are free and open to the public.

• Senior Fraud Seminar
• Time: Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
• Location: Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City

• Satellite Office Hours with Sen. Rachelle Crowe
• Time: Oct. 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Location: East Alton Village Hall, 119 W Main St., East Alton

“When it comes to scams, criminals are always finding new ways to defraud people especially with the use of technology,” said Bristow. “This why we are working to arm residents with the information to recognize common scams and protect themselves and their identity, especially our seniors, who are often targeted through the phone and mail.”

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is promoting property tax exemption opportunities available to some seniors living in Cook County.

“Right now, thousands of Cook County seniors are eligible for the significant property tax relief that they deserve,” Pappas said. “Illinois’ skyrocketing property taxes place unfair strain on homeowners, especially seniors on a fixed income, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on this opportunity.”

Thousands of eligible seniors did not receive their Senior Citizen Homestead Property Tax Exemption or Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze, two programs which could drastically reduce property tax costs for senior citizens. Seniors interested in this program can visit CookCountyTreasurer.com, click “Your Property Tax Overview” and search using their address, or call the Cook County Treasurer’s Office at 312-443-5100.

“Every senior in Cook County who feels they may have missed this opportunity should make sure to take advantage now,” Pappas said. “I’m committed to building a stronger Illinois for everybody. That doesn’t only mean pushing for programs to create a better future, but promoting opportunities for a fairer present.”

Anyone who needs help navigating the process can also contact Pappas’s office at 224-520-8838 or RepDPappas@gmail.com.