Monday, March 09, 2026
Lombard, IL – AgeGuide, the Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Illinois, and the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A), held a press briefing on February 25th in the Blue Room at the State Capitol Building.
The Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging addressed critical funding constraints facing older adults and their caregivers. While the proposed budget maintains existing funding levels for aging services, advocates warn that “flat funding” during a time of high inflation and rising food costs is effectively a budget cut that could force service reductions across the state. Advocates also highlighted how sustained investment is essential to implementing the Illinois Multisector Plan for Aging, the States cross-agency strategy to strengthen coordinated services, support family caregivers, and help older adults age safely in their communities. Without funding growth that reflects rising costs, stakeholders warn the Plan’s goals will be difficult to achieve.
The Governor’s budget proposal left funding for critical family caregiver and home-delivered meals services stagnant across the state. With increasing costs in food, labor and fuel, this proposed funding level would directly translate to reduced meal delivery, caregiver burnout, and waitlists being implemented across the state. With approaching reductions in SNAP benefits, many older adults will be at significantly higher risk of food insecurity, placing urgent pressure on nutrition programs to meet this demand. Family caregivers will also be at increased risk, as SNAP reductions strain already tight household food budgets and new work requirements may force some caregivers to choose between employment and providing care for their loved ones.
“At a time when costs for food, fuel, and labor continue to rise, flat funding is not a neutral decision, it is a cut to essential services older adults and family caregivers rely on every day.” said Marla Fronczak, Chief Executive Officer of AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois. “Without increased investment, we will see fewer home-delivered meals, longer waitlists, and greater pressure on family caregivers who are stretched to their limits.”
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AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is a nonprofit organization responsible for developing and coordinating a network of services for older persons throughout an eight-county area in northeastern Illinois. AgeGuide informs and advises public and private agencies and the general public of the needs of older persons living in the area, and acts as an advocate on their behalf. Other information about AgeGuide, topics of interest to older adults, and links to other resources are available at the Agency’s website: www.ageguide.org.
