Executive Order 2024-02

WHEREAS, Illinois has made significant strides to ensure that older adults may age with dignity and independence; and,

WHEREAS, older adults are the fastest-growing proportion of the U.S. population; and,

WHEREAS, in Illinois, there are 2.8 million individuals who are over 60 years old and an estimated 25% of Illinois' population will be 60 years or older by 2030; and,

WHEREAS, older adults have and will continue to contribute to the health and vibrancy of communities across this state; and,

WHEREAS, the aging of the population impacts every region in Illinois; and,

WHEREAS, long-standing systemic inequities shape how individuals reach older adulthood and their quality of life as they age; and,

WHEREAS, given the increasing number of older adults, there is an increasing demand for direct care workers and family caregivers, many of whom are older adults, Black, indigenous, people of color, and individuals who are challenged with balancing work, child-rearing, and older adult caregiving; and,

WHEREAS, access to a broad range of public and private programs, resources, and informal supports significantly promotes healthy, purposeful aging; and,

WHEREAS, coordinated action across sectors in Illinois can help to meet the evolving needs of older Illinoisans and shape policies that promote healthy aging and a healthy Illinois; and,

WHEREAS, a Multi-Sector Plan for Aging (“MPA”) is a comprehensive blueprint designed to create a coordinated system of high-quality care and support services for older adults that a state develops based on its unique characteristics, history, and existing aging and disability initiatives;

THEREFORE, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, by virtue of the executive authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, hereby order as follows:

1. An Interagency Task Force on the Multi-Sector Plan for Aging ("MPA Task Force") is established.
2. A Multi-Sector Plan for Aging Community Advisory Council (“MPA Community Advisory Council”) is established.
3. A Chief Planning Officer (“Chief”) is established, to be housed in the Illinois Department on Aging (“IDoA”), reporting to the Director of IDoA. The Chief shall chair the MPA Task Force and co-chair the MPA Community Advisory Council.
4. The Chief shall lead the State’s development and implementation of an MPA with clear and measurable objectives to support healthy aging in Illinois communities.
5. IDoA shall identify a research partner with statewide expertise to provide research support to the Chief, the MPA Task Force, and the MPA Community Advisory Council.
6. The Chief shall serve as a policymaker and spokesperson on issues related to the MPA, including coordinating the multi-agency effort through the development of legislation, rules, and budgets.
7. The MPA Task Force and the MPA Community Advisory Council, under the leadership of the Chief, shall meet at least three times a year jointly or separately, as necessary.
8. Informed by the MPA Task Force and MPA Community Advisory Council, the Chief shall develop a State of Illinois MPA, to be delivered to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2025, with an additional status report to be delivered by December 31, 2026.  The MPA will be a comprehensive strategic plan that includes measurable outcomes for calendar years 2026 through 2036 with the goal of strengthening Illinois as an aging-friendly state. The plan may recommend actions to:
   1. Address age-related demographic changes and their impact,
   2. Strengthen care infrastructure and support caregivers,
   3. Improve the quality, accessibility, and availability of long-term services and supports to better enable older persons to remain in their homes and communities,
   4. Protect financial security and prevent fraud and financial exploitation,
   5. Expand access to technology and bridge the digital divide, and
   6. Advance health equity in the context of aging.
9. The Chief shall also:
   1. Lead and collaborate with those developing and implementing local plans to serve older Illinoisians,
   2. Convene older adults, stakeholders, and advocates to inform development of the MPA,
   3. Connect and learn from other states that have established MPAs, and
   4. Recommend, promote, and facilitate interagency collaboration to unify related efforts, including the State Plan on Aging in coordination with the Illinois Council on Aging, the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging, the Blind Services Planning Council, the Illinois Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission, and other relevant State boards, commissions, councils, and task forces.
10. The MPA Task Force shall include leaders from State agencies to be appointed by Agency Directors or Secretaries, in consultation with the Chief. It shall include a representative from the:
    1. Department on Aging
    2. Department of Corrections
    3. Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
    4. Department of Healthcare and Family Services
    5. Department of Human Rights
    6. Department of Human Services
    7. Department of Insurance
    8. Department of Labor
    9. Department of Public Health
    10. Department of Transportation
    11. Department of Veterans' Affairs
    12. Illinois Housing Development Authority
    13. Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission
    14. Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
    15. Office of the State Ombudsman
    16. At the recommendation of the Chief, members from additional State agencies may be appointed to enhance the work of the Task Force.
11. The MPA Community Advisory Council shall include diverse stakeholders who represent the goals and population described in this Executive Order, to be appointed by the Governor.
12. The MPA Community Advisory Council shall be co-chaired by the Chief and one other member designated by the Governor and will consist of no more than 25 people; members should reflect the geographic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of the state. Additionally, at the recommendation of the Chief, additional representatives may be appointed to enhance the work of the MPA Community Advisory Council.
13. The MPA Task Force and the MPA Community Advisory Council shall strive to operate by consensus; however, so long as they each have a quorum, they may approve measures and make recommendations based on an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.
14. At large members of the MPA Community Advisory Council shall serve at the will of the Governor. If there is a vacancy for any cause among gubernatorial appointees, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective. So long as they continue to qualify for the seat that they occupy, members shall continue to serve until a succeeding appointment, or a re-appointment is made.
15. The MPA Task Force and MPA Community Advisory Council shall sunset on December 31, 2025.
16. In addition to any by-laws, policies, or procedures that they may adopt, all operations of the MPA Task Force and of the MPA Community Advisory Council will be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.).  This shall not be construed to preclude other statutes from applying to the MPA Task Force and to the MPA Community Advisory Council and their respective activities.
17. IDoA shall support the MPA Task Force and the MPA Community Advisory Council. Additional support may be provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the identified research partner, and private philanthropic foundation partners committed to advancing the goals of the MPA.
18. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any federal or state law or regulation. Unless specifically referenced in this Order, nothing in this Order shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.
19. This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any prior Executive Order.
20. If any part of this Executive Order is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.  The provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
21. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

                                                                                    ___________________________________                                     

                                                                                                JB Pritzker, Governor

Issued by the Governor: August 13, 2024

Filed with the Secretary of State: August 13, 2024