March 2018 Legislators and Local Officials Hear About Issues Affecting Older Adults at 2018 Legislative Breakfasts Participation by legislators and local and county officials in the annual Legislative Breakfasts hosted by AgeOptions and community-based senior service agencies was on track to be the strongest ever. Approximately 240 elected officials, village and township representatives, agency representatives and members of the public took part in the 2018 breakfasts. We were pleased to be able to expand our outreach, with attendance on track to exceed previous years if weather hadn t forced cancelation of one of the five events. The annual Legislative Breakfasts provide an opportunity for officials, representatives of local agencies and constituents to discuss services, issues facing older adults and how they can support each other. Attendees were invited to take a button and share their support of Illinois older adults by using the hashtag #ILOlderAdults on social media. The overarching theme of the four events in January and February concerned making the voice of the aging network heard, and staying active in our advocacy during this time of governmental change. Also discussed were federal budget issues, changes to the Affordable Care Act, simplifying Medicare Part B enrollment, Illinois budget issues, Adult Protective Services, Cook County budget issues and other topics essential to older adults and those who care for them.
The breakfasts took place at North Shore Senior Center in Northfield, Kenneth Young Center in Elk Grove Village, River Forest Community Center in River Forest and Village of Hazel Crest. The breakfast scheduled for the Louis S. Viverito Senior Center in Burbank had to be canceled because of weather. From left at the Hazel Crest breakfast: Brad Winick, chair, AgeOptions Board of Directors; Rep. Al Riley; Jonathan Lavin, AgeOptions CEO; and Commissioner Deborah Sims. Officials and aides attending the Hazel Crest breakfast were: Sen. Michael Hastings (19th District), Rep. Al Riley (38th District), Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims (5th District), aides to Representatives William Davis (30th District) and Marcus Evans (33rd District), and local officials from Alsip, Glenwood, Hazel Crest, Midlothian and Richton Park.
From left at North Shore Senior Center: Rep. Lou Lang; AgeOptions CEO Jon Lavin; Rep. Laura Fine; Christian Sorensen, aide to Rep. Robyn Gabel; Sarah Shadnia, aide to Rep. Brad Schneider; Josh Braude, aide to Sen. Daniel Biss. Officials and aides attending the North Shore Senior Center breakfast were: Rep. Laura Fine (17th District), Rep. Lou Lang (16th District), aides to Sen. Daniel Biss (9th District), Rep. Brad Schneider (10th District), Rep. Robyn Gabel (18th District), Comptroller Susan Mendoza and Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin (14th District).
From left at the Kenneth Young Center breakfast: Jon Lavin, AgeOptions CEO; Tish Rudnicki, Kenneth Young Center; Rep. Tom Morrison; Carol Reagan, Palatine Township Senior Citizen Council; Rep. Michelle Mussman; Christi Wessel, aide to Rep. Mussman; Sen. Laura Murphy; Marty McAlpin, aide to Sen. Murphy. Officials and aides attending the Kenneth Young Center breakfast were: Sen. Laura Murphy (28th District), Rep. Michelle Mussman (56th District), Rep. David Harris (53rd District), Rep. Tom Morrison (54th District), aides to Sen. Cristina Castro (22nd District), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District), Rep. Fred Crespo (44th District) and Village of Mount Prospect officials.
From left at the River Forest breakfast: Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch"; Eileen Minahan, office of Sen. John Curran; Vera Wilt, Riverside Township; Clarmarie Kennan, Oak Park Township, River Forest Township; Eileen Lynch, office of Sen. Don Harmon; Rep. Camille Y. Lilly; Marla Skinner, office of Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford; Commissioner Peter Silvestri; Jon Lavin, AgeOptions CEO; Carla Sloan, River Forest Community Center. Officials and aides attending the River Forest breakfast were: Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (7th District), Rep. Camille Lilly (78th District), Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (9th District), aides to Sen. Don Harmon (39th District), Kimberly Lightford (4th District), John Curran (41st District) and officials from Oak Park, River Forest and Riverside Townships, Village of River Forest and Village of Brookfield.