Legislators and Local Agencies Discuss the Aging Network and Community Services at Legislative Breakfasts

R NOW Your Update from AgeOptions March/April 2015 Legislators and Local Agencies Discuss the Aging Network and Community Services at Legislative Breakfasts

Each year, AgeOptions and community agencies conduct a series of breakfasts for elected federal, state and county officials. This year, officials and their staff were among the 120 people attending the events. The focus of the January breakfasts, conducted prior to the Governor’s budget address in February, was to explain the importance of the Aging Network in providing effective and efficient community services that help older adults remain in their homes while avoiding other, more costly forms of care. Each year the highlight of the breakfasts is the time dedicated to bringing our older residents’ stories to the legislators.

This year, stories included complicated January 29 Legislative Breakfast at North Shore Senior Center and time consuming efforts to reinstate a financially exploited older person whose paid caregiver moved into Hurley, Margo McDermed, Chris Welch, Laura Fine, Robyn his home and bank account; accounts of challenges faced Gabel, Elaine Nekritz and Michelle Mussman, and Cook in finding the responsible Part D or Managed Care County Commissioner Larry Suffredin. Organization for payment of an older person’s life sustaining Also in attendance were legislative aides from the medication costs; complicated efforts to coordinate following suburban Cook County Legislative Offices: US numerous care providers around the needs of homebound Representatives Dan Lipinski, Jan Schakowsky and Tammy older persons; and a general sharing of the collaboration, Duckworth; State Senators Daniel Biss, Christine Radogno, respect and support community service agencies provide Kimberly Lightford and Julie Morrison; Illinois House their clientele and each other. Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Representatives David Harris, Elected officials who took part were: State Senator Bill Tom Morrison and Michelle Mussman; and Cook County Cunningham and State Representatives Kelly Burke, Fran Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy. Contined on next page

AgeOptions 1048 Lake Street, Suite 300 phone (800) 699-9043 fax (708) 524-0870 www.ageoptions.org Oak Park, Illinois 60310-1102 (708) 383-0258

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January 30 Legislative Breakfast at Kenneth Young Center

In addition to community services, topics at the breakfasts included the Aging Network in Illinois, Older Americans Act reauthorization and support for core services. Participants discussed the AgeOptions letter to new Governor Bruce Rauner, the upcoming legislative session, including proposed legislation, and the upcoming budget process. The four January sessions took place in Alsip, La Grange, Northfield and Elk Grove Village. A fifth session, scheduled for Oak Forest, was canceled because of snow. Agencies co-sponsoring the Legislative Breakfasts were: Aging Care Connections, Bremen Township Senior Services, Kenneth Young Center, North Shore Senor Center, PLOWS Council on Aging, Catholic Charities, CJE Senior Life, Community Nutrition Network, Frisbie Senior Center, Hanover Township, Metropolitan Family Services-Skokie, Oak Park and River Forest Townships, Open Communities, Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council, Solutions for Care and Stickney Township Office on Aging.

AgeOptions 1048 Lake Street, Suite 300 phone (800) 699-9043 fax (708) 524-0870 www.ageoptions.org Oak Park, Illinois 60310-1102 (708) 383-0258