Ten Priorities

EngAging Illinois is an ambitious Plan with four areas of focus and dozens of strategies and action steps. In the next 10 years we will endeavor to make progress on all of them, but these are the top priorities.  

Create a comprehensive website built from existing information and efforts to increase awareness of, access to, and utilization of the meaningful resources, programs, services, and benefits that help Illinoisans age in place and in community. 

Pursue statewide age-friendly designation and provide implementation support, including guidance on equity and inclusion, toolkits, and design guides for accessible public spaces, community checklists, and case studies to increase the number of age-and dementia-friendly communities.  

Partner with a variety of sectors to create new housing models and expand affordable and accessible housing for people of all ages.  

Ensure the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Transportation Infrastructure implementation efforts address the specific transportation needs of older adults and builds on efforts to improve mobility and expand transportation access for the state's aging population. 

Promote the goals and programs of Healthy Illinois 2028, the statewide initiative to facilitate health improvement and advance health equity, as well as Illinois Department of Public Health efforts around brain health, falls prevention, and substance use.  

Integrate geriatrics and age-related topics into all Illinois residency, health professions training, and certificate programs. 

Develop and launch a statewide comprehensive caregiver awareness campaign to help caregivers of all ages self-identify and access support through EngAge Central.  

Help individuals understand their eligibility for — and access — supports through development of a streamlined application for Illinois benefit programs and provide financial education tools to increase financial literacy.  

Modernize HCBS by improving cost efficiency and better aligning these services with the needs and preferences of older adults and people with disabilities.

Create this Collaborative to facilitate partnerships and collaborative research, education, and support for policies, programs, and services and workforce development that foster positive aging.