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Governor Creates Elder Abuse Task Force
SPRINGFIELD--Governor George H. Ryan today announced the names of 31 individuals who will serve on a new Elder Abuse Task Force that will focus on helping thousands of Illinois seniors who are financially abused.
"Findings from the recent Summit on Aging that I convened reinforce the need to better protect vulnerable older people in Illinois from fraud and other crimes," the Governor said. "The job this task force will be to strengthen these efforts."
The Governor named Lt. Governor Corinne Wood as Honorary Chair of the new Task Force. As a State Representative, Wood sponsored legislation strengthening the state's ability to respond to elder abuse. Illinois Department on Aging Director Margo E. Schreiber will serve as Chair of the Task Force.
The Task Force will be asked to foster educational efforts and to recommend policies and/or legislation relating to the prevention of financial exploitation, consumer fraud and telemarketing. Emphasis will also be placed on maximizing resources to address current gaps in services.
Through the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program, the Department annually responds to nearly 8,000 reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Community elder abuse provider agencies receive abuse reports, conduct assessments, and provide casework and follow-up services for many cases.
"An average of half of all reports involve financial exploitation, about one- third allege neglect, and about one-fourth involve physical abuse," Schreiber said.
"People often find it surprising to learn that elder abuse is a family problem, with three out of four abusers being a spouse, child or other relative. About 75 percent of the alleged victims are women, and the average age is 78," she added.
The task force, which includes a cross-section of professionals representing legal, banking, and social service and advocacy networks, will work in conjunction with the Department on Aging to formulate recommendations for the Governor and General Assembly.
The list of Elder Abuse Task Force members is attached.
Elder Abuse Task Force
Honorary Chair:
The Honorable Corinne G. WoodLieutenant Governor of Illinois
Chair:
Margo E. SchreiberDirector, Illinois Department on Aging
TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Lee Andersen,
Director of the Illinois Elder Rights Coalition, PeoriaLinda Renee Baker,
Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, SpringfieldRick Barkes, Public Affairs Director, Bloomington Police Department, Bloomington
Charlotte Berry, advocate, Springfield
Robert E. Craighead,
Executive Director of the Illinois State Bar Association, SpringfieldStuart Gaines,
Public Policy Chair of the Alzheimer's Association, SkokieRosemary Gemperle,
Executive Director of the Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly, ChicagoDonna Ginther,
Government Relations Specialist for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), SpringfieldNorbert Goetten,
Director of the State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, SpringfieldSister Mildred Gross, advocate, Herrin
Thomas J. Jurkanin,
Ph.D., Executive Director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, SpringfieldCandice Kane,
Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, ChicagoLinda Koch,
Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Illinois Bankers Association, SpringfieldGeorge Koertge,
Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, SpringfieldBarb Kolaski,
Executive Director of the Illinois Council of Case Coordination Units, YorkvilleJonathan Lavin,
President of the Illinois Coalition on Aging, Oak ParkGary Miller,
Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, SpringfieldWilliam Miller,
Chief of the Illinois State TRIAD, ElginSam Nolan,
Director of the Illinois State Police Financial Crimes Task Force, SpringfieldMichael O'Donnell,
President of the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging, BloomingtonKerry Peck,
President of the Chicago Bar Association and an Elder Law Attorney, ChicagoJim Ryan, Attorney General, State of Illinois, Springfield
Greg Sullivan,
Director of the Illinois Sheriff's Association, Sherman;Joanne Thomas,
Executive Director of the Central Illinois Agency on Aging, Inc., PeoriaRon Weismehl,
Executive Director of the Council for the Jewish Elderly, ChicagoRobert Wingert,
Executive Director of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, SpringfieldElaine Wright,
President of the National Caucus & Center of Black Aged, ChicagoJohn Wyant, Member of the Board of Directors, Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter, Peoria
Maralyn Zeman, advocate, Waterman.
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