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EngAging Illinois Launches #ThanksCaregiving Campaign for National Family Caregivers Month | EngAging Illinois
November 1, 2026

Throughout November, National Family Caregivers Month, the Illinois Department on Aging and the EngAging Illinois Investing in Caregivers work group are running #ThanksCaregiving, a statewide social media campaign that thanks caregivers, helps more people recognize themselves as caregivers, and connects them to respite and other support. Partners and individuals can take part by sharing posts from the campaign sharing kit, which includes ready-to-post graphics and text in English and Spanish, and by joining a statewide repost push on Monday, November 23 at 8:30 a.m. CT.

EngAging Illinois Leaders and AARP Illinois to Join WGN Radio for “Illinois for All Ages” Day | EngAging Illinois
October 22, 2026

On October 28, WGN Radio, with the help of AARP Illinois,  will dedicate its programming to what it takes to make Illinois a great place to grow older. Illinois Department on Aging Director Mary Killough and EngAging Illinois Chief Planning Officer Michelle Hoersch will be among the featured voices, joined by AARP Illinois advocates and leaders of the EngAging Illinois workgroups. Conversations will explore Illinois’ designation as an AARP Age-Friendly State, caregiving, housing, health, transportation, and the cost of aging in Illinois. Catch the conversations all day on October 28 by tuning to WGN Radio 720 AM, streaming at wgnradio.com, or using the WGN Radio app.

Illinois Joins the Age-Friendly Network | AARP

October 14, 2026

Illinois has officially joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The Age-Friendly designation, received at AgeGuide's 5th Annual Aging Summit this month, affirms a statewide commitment to advancing housing, transportation, social inclusion, and community services that help older adults live and thrive where they choose.

State launches 10-year plan to improve seniors’ lives | Springfield Business Journal
September 30, 2026

Chief Planning Officer Michelle Hoersch outlines progress on EngAging Illinois in this feature, covering the plan's eight working groups spanning housing, caregiving, transportation, and social connection. The piece also previews the upcoming EngAge Central caregiver portal and Illinois' pursuit of AARP Age-Friendly State designation.

Missouri and Illinois Join the Growing Movement for Multisector Plans for Aging | LeverAGE, The American Society on Aging Podcast
September 21, 2026

Michelle Hoersch, Chief Planning Officer for the Multisector Plan for Aging at the Illinois Department on Aging, was recently featured on the LeverAGE podcast, presented by West Health and the American Society on Aging. The episode explores how Illinois and Missouri are putting their multisector plans for aging into action, covering cross-sector collaboration in health care, housing, transportation, and caregiving.

UIC earns Age-Friendly University designation | UIC Today
September 4, 2026

The University of Illinois Chicago recieved designation as an Age-Friendly University by the Age-Friendly University Global Network, recognizing UIC's commitment to inclusive education, healthy aging research, and community engagement across the lifespan. The designation, championed by UIC's College of Applied Health Sciences, highlights the university's extensive work in aging.

Illinois Department on Aging and Illinois Department of Human Services jointly administer program offering income-eligible older adults assistance  | Citizen Newspaper Group 
July 24, 2026

IDoA and IDHS are jointly offering income-eligible older adults up to $40 in vouchers this season to buy fresh produce at participating farmers markets and roadside stands. More than 24,000 low-income seniors across 37 counties are expected to benefit from the program, which runs through October 31. 

Illinois officials raising awareness, working to prevent elder abuse | WCIA 3 News
July 16, 2026

The Illinois Department on Aging is highlighting elder abuse warning signs this year, noting that reports have risen statewide since 2022. Officials also point to pending legislation that would let financial institutions pause suspicious transactions and contact trusted individuals when exploitation is suspected. 

AARP Longevity Outlook Report | AARP
June 2, 2026

AARP's Longevity Economy Outlook 2026 reports that adults 50 and older generated $12.5 trillion in economic activity in 2024 and contributed the equivalent of $1.2 trillion in unpaid caregiving and volunteering, with total impact projected to nearly double to $24 trillion by 2060. The report explores workforce participation, consumer spending, unpaid contributions, and what it all means through 2060. 

Illinois bill would make it easier for families to care for aging parents at home | Fox 32 Chicago
May 28, 2026

State Representative Jed Davis discusses proposed legislation designed to help Illinois families add small backyard dwellings for elderly loved ones as housing and nursing home costs continue to rise.

Building an Age-Friendly Illinois Starts Now | AARP
May 21, 2026

 AARP Illinois praised Governor Pritzker's executive order implementing EngAging Illinois, the state's Multisector Plan for Aging, and pursuing an AARP Age-Friendly State designation. The order establishes a multisector commission to guide a 10-year blueprint for improving housing, transportation, caregiving ,and community services for older residents. 

Aging agencies rally for more funding for delivery meals for elderly | 25 News Now 
May 7, 2026

Aging agencies from across Illinois rallied in Springfield for an additional $10 million for the Home Delivered Meals program, on top of the governor's proposed $63 million, to help shrink long waitlists for homebound seniors. Advocate Tessa Mahoney, a member of EngAging Illinois’ Investing in Caregivers work group, framed the funding as preventative care that keeps older adults out of costlier long-term care settings.