Don’t Blow Out the Candles on the Older Americans Act DAY OF ACTION

Across Illinois, threats to the Older Americans Act have wreaked havoc for aging service providers and Area Agencies on Aging. Earlier this year, the proposed budget information from the Trump Administration shows potential cuts to Older Americans Act funding that would greatly impact older adults and their caregivers all across Illinois.

These proposed cuts threaten programs that include falls prevention, evidence-based health promotion programs, respite care for burdened caregivers, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, and elder justice initiatives - including Adult Protective Services.

The Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging is calling for a day of action on May 28th to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Older Americans Act - with a call to Congress saying “DON’T BLOW OUT THE CANDLES ON THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT.” We are calling all legislators, lawmakers, older adults, and caregivers to join us at events across the state to highlight the importance of these critical services that impact hundreds of thousands of older adults across Illinois.

When: May 28, 2025

Time: Varies by location

Events Near You:

Who We Are

We are the association of Area Agencies on Aging in Illinois. Each of the thirteen Area Agencies on Aging independently receive federal and state funding through the Department on Aging, and are responsible for awarding this funding to local organizations to provide services.

Since the 1970s, each Area Agency on Aging has helped to build a network of aging services at the local level, incorporating the preferences of requested by local participants. Aging services assist senior adults, their caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren, people with disabilities, and veterans.

The Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging does not employ staff of its own at this time, but relies on individual member agencies to carry out advocacy on behalf of their constituents.

Our Mission

The mission of Area Agencies on Aging includes--

1. Developing a three-year plan of providing services with information gathered from senior adults, community leaders, and service agencies.
2. Developing new services and refining existing programs to meet the needs of senior adults.
3. Fostering connections between the Aging network and other agencies in order to improve senior adults access to services.
4. Promoting the interests of senior adults by advocating for improved policies for new and existing programs.
5. Assisting individuals 55 and older with information about training and employment opportunities.

Our Officers

President: Diane Slezak, AgeOptions
Vice President: Carolyn Austin, AgeLinc
Treasurer: Becky Salazar, Egyptian Area Agency on Aging
Secretary: Tessa Mahoney, Central Illinois Agency on Aging

You may contact us at the telephone number listed in the header above or by email using the link below.