On State Fair Senior Day, Gov. Pritzker Announces Members of Newly-Created Elder Abuse Task Force

Statement

Kicking off Senior Citizen & Scout Day at the Illinois State Fair, Governor JB Pritzker joined lawmakers and officials from the Department on Aging to announce the members of the newly-created Elder Abuse Task Force.

"In Illinois, every single person - no matter their age, gender, citizenship, sex, ability, race or religion - deserves to feel safe and secure," said Governor JB Pritzker. "One case of elder abuse would be too many, but 20,000 annually is unacceptable: we need to tackle this head on. This bipartisan Elder Abuse Task Force will investigate our current elder protective practices and strategies for increasing public awareness and come up with the best possible plan to combat patterns of abuse and treat our older Illinoisans with the respect they deserve."

The task force was created through Senate Joint Resolution 13, which passed both houses unanimously. Reporting its findings and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2021, the task force will analyze the effectiveness of elder protective services in Illinois and other states and develop a long-term plan to improve outcomes for older Illinoisans.

"The Department on Aging responded to more than 20,000 reports of abuse of adults 60 years of age and older and persons 18-59 with a disability this fiscal year," said Paula Basta, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. "We all have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to feel safe and secure, but unfortunately, many of our most vulnerable citizens find themselves victims at the hands of individuals they have trusted. It doesn't have to be that way, and I'm proud that Governor Pritzker has given us at the Department on Aging the tools we need to make a difference in the lives of so many older adults across the state of Illinois."

"Regardless of party, we all can agree that we need to take swift action to end elder abuse," said Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). "To do that, we all need to step up to change the culture and misconceptions surrounding it. It has been an honor to have a hand in creating this task force in Illinois, and I look forward to working directly to protect our elders."

"It was a privilege to work on legislation to create the Elder Abuse Task Force and I am thankful to Senator Crowe for bringing this important issue forward and to Governor Pritzker for supporting these efforts," said Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). "I am looking forward to the important work of the task force, and learning all we can in order to protect our seniors."

The task force will be comprised of the following 22 members:

* Rachelle Crowe, State Senator, 56th District, (D)
* Katie Stuart, State Representative, 112th District, (D)
* Craig Wilcox, State Senator, 32nd District, (R)
* Debbie Verschelde, Executive Director, Aging Care Connections
* Lori Hendren, Associate State Director, AARP Illinois
* Dawn Wells, RN, Area Manager, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
* Aimee Isham, Bureau Chief for Long Term Care, Illinois Department of Public Health
* Paul Isaac, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
* Gene Seaman, Human Rights Authority Supervising Manager, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
* Cordelia Coppleson, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
* Barbara Eskildsen, Executive Director, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
* Kelly Richards, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Illinois Department on Aging
* Lois Moorman, Program Administrator, Illinois Department on Aging Office of Adult Protective Services
* Eric Lane, Political and Grassroots Director, Health Care Council of Illinois
* Ashley Snavely, Legislative Director, Illinois Health Care Association
* Beth Menz, Vice President and Director for the Home Care Division, SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri Kansas
* Aimee Winebaugh, Director of Government Relations, Illinois Bankers Association
* Bill Langheim, Captain, Illinois State Police
* Brian Fengel, Police Chief, Bartonville Police Department
* Michelle Weinberg, Supervisory Attorney, Legal Aid Chicago
* Kristopher Tharp, Lieutenant, Madison County Sheriff's Office
* Tonya Genovese, Assistant State's Attorney, Madison County State's Attorney Office

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