Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Illinois reached an exciting milestone when the state was officially welcomed into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities at AgeGuide’s Aging Summit. The announcement marked the culmination of years of planning around how Illinois can better support its growing older adult population and create communities that work for people at every stage of life.
Representatives from AARP presented the official designation certificate to Illinois Department on Aging Director, Mary Killough. With the designation, Illinois became the 16th state to join the national network, which includes states and communities committed to becoming more livable for people of all ages.
The announcement was especially fitting for this year’s Aging Summit, which centered on Livable Communities and explored how housing, transportation, social connection, and other community features influence our ability to age well.
The Work Behind the Designation
Becoming an Age-Friendly State requires applicants to demonstrate a commitment from state leadership and establish a framework for continued age-friendly planning.
To join the network, a state must submit an application and a formal Letter of Commitment signed by the Governor. That commitment addresses several key pieces of the age-friendly process: involving older adults, assessing the community’s age-friendliness, developing an action plan based on identified needs, and establishing ways to measure progress.
For Illinois, much of that groundwork has been connected to EngAging Illinois, the state’s comprehensive 10-year Multi-Sector Plan for Aging. The plan brings together state agencies, community organizations, and other partners to address issues that affect aging across sectors including housing, transportation, health, caregiving, and social connection. In May 2026, an executive order formally moved EngAging Illinois into implementation and directed the Illinois Department on Aging to pursue Age-Friendly State designation.
The Designation Is a Beginning, Not an End
AARP emphasizes that joining the network does not mean a state has completed its age-friendly work. Instead, it signals that state leaders have made a formal commitment to continuing that work.
It includes assessing needs, developing an action plan, implementing strategies, and measuring progress over time.
For Illinois, becoming the 16th Age-Friendly State expands the goals of EngAging Illinois to create action and measurable progress in the years ahead.
