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1    AN ACT concerning aging.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Illinois Caregiver Assistance and Resource Portal Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose and intent. The purpose of this Act is
7to establish a State-created virtual portal that features a
8virtual comprehensive directory of State, federal, non-profit,
9and paid resources dedicated to caregiving and Illinois'
101,300,000 unpaid caregivers. The mission of this portal is to
11provide caregivers with simplified and trusted access to an
12information, support, and resource website to help caregivers
13develop and implement caregiving plans for their loved ones or
14friends.
 
15    Section 10. Establishment of the Illinois Caregiver
16Assistance and Resources Portal.
17    (a) Subject to appropriation, the Department on Aging, in
18consultation with the Department of Healthcare and Family
19Services, the Department of Public Health, and the Department
20of Veterans' Affairs, shall be responsible for the creation
21and maintenance of the Illinois Caregiver Assistance and
22Resource Portal (hereinafter referred to as the "Portal").

 

 

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1    (b) The Portal shall serve as a centralized and trusted
2online platform offering a wide range of resources related to
3caregiving, including, but not limited to:
4        (1) Information on State and federal programs,
5    benefits, and resources on caregiving, long-term care, and
6    at-home care for Illinois residents who are 50 years of
7    age or older.
8        (2) Information from non-profit organizations
9    providing free-of-charge caregiving support and resources.
10        (3) Tools and guides for developing and implementing
11    caregiving plans.
12        (4) Direct contact information for relevant Illinois
13    agencies, organizations, and other State-licensed
14    long-term care, aging, senior support services, and
15    at-home care providers.
16        (5) Educational materials, articles, and videos on
17    caregiving best practices.
18        (6) Accommodations for users with different language
19    preferences, ensuring the information is accessible to
20    diverse audiences.
21    (c) By incorporating these resources, the Portal aims to
22serve as a comprehensive and user-friendly hub for caregivers,
23providing them with the tools, information, and support they
24need to navigate the complex landscape of caregiving, nursing
25home care, and at-home care and other essential resources that
26are readily accessible. Additional information and resources

 

 

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1to be featured may include the following:
2        (1) Caregiving resources: A comprehensive section
3    dedicated to caregiving, including guides, articles, and
4    videos on caregiving techniques, managing caregiver
5    stress, and enhancing the quality of care provided.
6        (2) Home and community-based services: Resources,
7    descriptions, and opportunities on how the State supports
8    family caregivers, to include, but not be limited to, the
9    Senior HelpLine, Illinois Care Connections, the Community
10    Care Program, Adult Protective Services, the Illinois
11    Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Adult Day Services, the Home
12    Delivered Meals program, and all other programming and
13    services offered by the Department on Aging.
14        (3) Nursing home care: State and federal information
15    and online resources on nursing homes, including facility
16    ratings, reviews, and resources for choosing the right
17    nursing home based on specific needs and preferences.
18        (4) Area Agency on Aging: A dedicated section
19    highlighting the services and programs offered by Area
20    Agencies on Aging, including, but not limited to,
21    assistance with long-term care planning, nutrition,
22    transportation, caregiver support and need assessment, and
23    the address and contact information of statewide Area
24    Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource
25    Centers.
26        (5) At-home care: Resources and guides for at-home

 

 

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1    care, including information on hiring caregivers, managing
2    in-home medical and non-medical care, and ensuring a safe
3    and comfortable home environment.
4        (6) Hospital-to-home transition: A specialized section
5    focusing on the transition from hospital care to
6    home-based care, offering tips, checklists, and resources
7    to ensure a smooth transition and continued recovery at
8    home.
9        (7) Contact Information: Direct contact details for
10    relevant agencies, organizations, and State-licensed
11    professionals involved in caregiving, nursing home care,
12    and at-home care, making it easy for users to connect with
13    the right resources.
14        (8) Medicaid coverage and resources: Information on
15    Medicaid coverage for long-term care services, eligibility
16    criteria, application procedures, and available
17    Medicaid-funded programs and services to support
18    caregivers and care recipients.
19        (9) Financial assistance: Details on financial
20    assistance programs and benefits available at the State
21    and federal levels, including grants, subsidies, and tax
22    incentives that can ease the financial burden of
23    caregiving.
24        (10) Veterans' assistance: Details on veterans'
25    assistance programs and benefits available at the State
26    and federal levels.

 

 

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1        (11) Legal and planning Tools: Resources for legal
2    matters related to caregiving, such as power of attorney,
3    advance directives, and estate planning, and tools to help
4    users create and manage caregiving plans. Services offered
5    under this paragraph do not include the practice of law.
6        (12) Support groups: A directory of local caregiver
7    support groups and online communities where caregivers can
8    connect, share experiences, and receive emotional support.
 
9    Section 15. Accessibility and user-friendliness.
10    (a) The Portal shall be designed to be user-friendly and
11accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities.
12    (b) The Portal shall include features such as search
13functionality, language accessibility, and compatibility with
14assistive technologies to ensure that a diverse range of
15caregivers can use it.
 
16    Section 20. Outreach and promotion.
17    (a) The Department on Aging, in consultation with the
18Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department
19of Public Health, the Department of Human Services, and the
20Department of Veterans' Affairs, shall undertake an outreach
21and promotional campaign to raise awareness about the Portal
22and its resources upon completion.
23    (b) The campaign shall include a digital-first strategy to
24inform health care providers, social service agencies, and

 

 

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1community organizations about the Portal's availability.
2    (c) The campaign shall coordinate with the State-wide
32-1-1 Service system administered under the 2-1-1 Service Act
4in order to insure persons calling 2-1-1 telephone lines are
5directed, when appropriate, to the Portal and reciprocally to
62-1-1.
 
7    Section 25. Reporting and evaluation. The Department on
8Aging, in consultation with the Department of Healthcare and
9Family Services, the Department of Public Health, and the
10Department of Veterans' Affairs, shall provide an annual
11report to the General Assembly and State executive officers
12outlining the usage statistics, user feedback, and any
13necessary improvements to the Portal.
 
14    Section 30. Funding. Funding for the creation,
15maintenance, and promotion of the Portal shall be subject to
16appropriation from State funding and can be matched with
17possible federal resources.
 
18    Section 35. Implementation date. The Portal shall be
19implemented 3 years after the effective date of this Act.
 
20    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
21becoming law.