ILLINOIS (August 14, 2024) — Illinois Aging Together, a campaign for aging equity led by Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, celebrates Illinois Governor Pritzker’s executive order to establish a planning commission for a multi-sector plan for aging.

Across the nation, states are beginning to develop multisector plans for aging to improve service coordination across state agencies and sectors to address the major demographic shifts that are happening as our society ages. Illinois Aging Together, which has rallied 188 organizational supporters, has championed the aging equity movement in Illinois, drafting legislation to create a commission to develop a multi-sector plan for aging; this bill was the basis for this executive order.

“We’re thrilled to see that creating an aging equity agenda for Illinois has become a priority for Governor Pritzker.  Illinois will now join the states addressing this critical need,” said Margie Schaps, Executive Director of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group.

Like the rest of the US and much of the world, Illinois’ population of older persons is growing and expected to continue growing for the coming decades. There are expected to be almost 3.5 million Illinoisans over age 65 by 2025, compared to about 2 million in 2000. The number of Illinoisans aged 85+ is expected to have doubled to about 400,000 over the same time period. Systems supporting community living are essential for these individuals, their families, friends, and caregivers.

Illinoisans can anticipate that the planning commission will have representation from much of the state government. These members will work together to create a 10-year plan that will make Illinois a better place to live, work, and age for everyone across the life course.

“We’re all aging, but aging looks different for each of us, depending upon our relative money, power, and wealth,” said Wesley Epplin, Policy Director at Health & Medicine.

“Due to health inequities, some of us won’t even make it to older adulthood, and many will make it but find the experience much harder than it should be because health and community living have not been collectively prioritized. We need an all-of-government and multi-sector approach to prioritize aging equity across all sectors, which is why we’re celebrating this executive order and looking forward to the planning,” Epplin added.

The establishment of the planning commission is the result of longstanding collaborative efforts between Health & Medicine, Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and the Illinois Department on Aging. The RRF Foundation for Aging generously supported this initiative.

“Taking care of our older Illinoisans is a responsibility my administration does not take lightly—which is why this plan will examine every aspect of the aging and caretaking experience and work on comprehensive, holistic solutions to gaps in care or barriers to access,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We know that it’s not just about supporting aging adults, but also being mindful of caretaker needs and the complex needs of individuals with disabilities, and this plan will ensure no one is left behind.”

“Our administration is committed to ensuring Illinois can support a healthy, dignified aging process for all. The Executive Order we celebrate today is a pivotal moment in furthering our progress,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “As we identify resources that increase independence, coordinate high-quality care and support services, and extend a helping hand to residents navigating the later phases of life, we illuminate a better path for all.”

“Illinois residents deserve to live healthy, fulfilling lives in safe and strong communities well into older adulthood,” said IDoA Acting Director Mary Killough. “By taking a whole-of-government approach to healthy aging, a Multi-Sector Plan for Aging will position our state to strengthen infrastructure, support caregivers, and expand opportunities for older persons to age on their own terms. The Illinois Department on Aging looks forward to working with our many partners and stakeholders as we begin crafting this long-term plan.”

For more information about the Illinois Aging Together campaign, visit our website https://illinoisagingtogether.org.