Signed by Governor JB Pritzker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands protections for LGBTQ seniors.

Highlights:

• Defines “LGBTQ older adults” as people who are 55 years of age or older and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, Two-Spirit, non-binary, same-gender-loving, queer, or any other diverse sexual orientation or gender identity. (Sec. 3.13).

• Specifies that the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ aging shall (Sec. 8.10):

• Examine the impact of State and local laws, policies, and regulations on LGBTQ older adults and make recommendations to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Examine best practices for increasing access, reducing isolation, preventing abuse and exploitation, and improve overall quality of life;

• Examine the impact of race, ethnicity, sex assigned at birth, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, on access to services for LGBTQ older adults to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Examine the experiences and needs of LGBTQ older adults living with HIV/AIDS and make recommendations to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Assess the funding and programming needed to enhance services to the growing population of LGBTQ older adults.

• Specifies that the Commission on LGBTQ Aging must include people of specific diverse backgrounds (Sec. 8.10).

• Establishes that the Director shall designate an LGBTQ Older Adult Advocate with the responsibility to advocate for LGBTQ older adults living with HIV (Sec. 8.11).

• Establishes that providers of services who contract with or receive funding from the Department shall complete a curriculum and training program on the prevention and elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (Sec. 8.12).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands protections for LGBTQ seniors.

Highlights:

• Defines “LGBTQ older adults” as people who are 55 years of age or older and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, Two-Spirit, non-binary, same-gender-loving, queer, or any other diverse sexual orientation or gender identity. (Sec. 3.13).

• Specifies that the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ aging shall (Sec. 8.10):

• Examine the impact of State and local laws, policies, and regulations on LGBTQ older adults and make recommendations to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Examine best practices for increasing access, reducing isolation, preventing abuse and exploitation, and improve overall quality of life;

• Examine the impact of race, ethnicity, sex assigned at birth, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, on access to services for LGBTQ older adults to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Examine the experiences and needs of LGBTQ older adults living with HIV/AIDS and make recommendations to ensure equitable access and quality of life;

• Assess the funding and programming needed to enhance services to the growing population of LGBTQ older adults.

• Specifies that the Commission on LGBTQ Aging must include people of specific diverse backgrounds (Sec. 8.10).

• Establishes that the Director shall designate an LGBTQ Older Adult Advocate with the responsibility to advocate for LGBTQ older adults living with HIV (Sec. 8.11).

• Establishes that providers of services who contract with or receive funding from the Department shall complete a curriculum and training program on the prevention and elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (Sec. 8.12).

Full Bill Text