Advocacy Day for Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in Champaign

On Friday, December 19th, we were proud to join seniors, caregivers, and community partners in Champaign as part of a district-wide advocacy effort led by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski to support the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. The event was collaboratively planned by East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA), AgeSmart, and AgeLinc, bringing together local aging networks to elevate the opinions of older adults across the district.

Participants from across our community gathered to share their voices and stories by writing postcards to members of the U.S. Senate calling for full reauthorization of this vital law. The Older Americans Act helps ensure seniors in Illinois have access to meals, transportation, caregiver support, and services that allow them to remain safe and independent at home. As Congresswoman Budzinski emphasized, “For 60 years, the Older Americans Act has provided seniors with the support they need to live independently and age safely at home. Now it’s time for a full reauthorization of this law to ensure it meets the needs of seniors today.”

The event also underscored the essential role local aging organizations play in delivering these services every day. As Susan C. Real, CEO of ECIAAA, shared, “Area Agencies on Aging have served as local leaders by providing community-based services to over 478,000 older Illinoisans and their caregivers.” Thank you to everyone who came out, shared your experiences, and showed what community advocacy looks like. Let’s keep up the momentum as we continue fighting for the services our older adults deserve.

Read more about the district-wide advocacy day here:
Budzinski Leads District-Wide Advocacy Day for Senior Citizens In Swansea | RiverBender.com