AARP Illinois’ 2022 Legislative Session: We Fought Hard and Won

This 2022 Spring common legislative session, AARP Illinois fought onerous on points necessary for its 1.7 million members and older adults in Illinois.

Under is a abstract of the various legislative wins that AARP Illinois advocated for on behalf of older adults throughout the state.

These wins will convey significant change to older adults throughout the state within the areas of nursing residence reform, caregiving, retirement safety, livable communities, reasonably priced housing, utilities, residence and community-based companies and shopper protections.

NURSING HOME RATE REFORM
A brand new legislation will convey reforms in nursing residence services to prioritize residents’ high quality of life, cut back inequities of care, and demand heightened facility accountability and transparency.

COMMUNITY SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Group spouses will now be permitted to retain the best allowable quantity of their very own property underneath state and federal legislation.

SB 1405 makes positive nobody in a nursing residence will ever should die alone once more by guaranteeing residents will have the ability to have a cherished one by their aspect

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:

HB 2775 invoice ensures that renters can’t be turned away for utilizing Social Safety, veteran’s housing advantages or different sources of earnings reminiscent of vouchers if they’re in any other case certified. Landlords persevering with these discriminating practices may face litigation in state courtroom.

SB 1975 makes it simpler for older adults and folks with disabilities in Prepare dinner County to obtain and keep property tax advantages by offering for automated annual renewal of the Individuals with Disabilities Exemption and streamlines advantages for low-income seniors.

HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES:
A invoice handed creates a three-year Illinois Fee on LGBTQ Getting old; requires the Director of the Illinois Division on Getting old to nominate an LGBTQ Older Adults Advocate (first within the nation) to make sure the wants and experiences of LGBTQ older adults and older adults dwelling with HIV are integrated into the division’s programming and policymaking; and requires suppliers which might be funded by or contract with the Illinois Division on Getting old full LGBTQ older grownup consciousness and competency coaching. 

The authorized FY23 Illinois state finances absolutely funds
finances absolutely funds the state’s Group Care Program, provides a further $4 million for caregiving.

DEMENTIA TRAINING

Senate Invoice 3707 will be certain that training on Alzheimer’s and dementia, security dangers, and efficient communication are integrated into the annual coaching for Group Care Suppliers.

Home Invoice 4388 applies the dementia coaching necessities to paramedics that already apply to medical doctors, nurses, and different healthcare suppliers. Because of this paramedics will obtain no less than one hour of coaching on dementia care and communication prior to every relicensure, as a part of the present coaching hours required for relicensure.

MAKING ILLINOIS AFFORDABLE

The FY23 Price range provides property tax rebates of as much as $300 and expands the earned earnings tax credit score to those that are 65 and older.

HB 4979 permits the proprietor of an entire life insurance coverage coverage, when acquiring favorable consideration for Medicaid to make an irrevocable project of all or part of his or her rights underneath the coverage to a funeral residence in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act.

UTILITIES
HB 4973 strengthens the power of the Illinois Commerce Fee to guard shoppers from fraudulent practices of different retail electrical and fuel suppliers.  It amends the Client Fraud and Misleading Enterprise Practices Act and provides that fines for violations will be as excessive as $10,000 (presently $1,000).  The Fee might also now revoke a provider’s certificates if there’s a sample of violations. 

DISRUPTING DISPARITIES FOR LGBTQ OLDER ADULTS

SB3490 creates three-year Illinois Fee on LGBTQ Getting old; requires the Director of the Illinois Division on Getting old to nominate an LGBTQ Older Adults Advocate (first within the nation) to make sure the wants and experiences of LGBTQ older adults and older adults dwelling with HIV are integrated into the division’s programming and policymaking; and requires suppliers which might be funded by or contract with the Illinois Division on Getting old full LGBTQ older grownup consciousness and competency coaching.