HJ0016eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0016 Engrossed LRB095 04665 DRJ 24723 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 16

WHEREAS, The generation born between 1946 and 1964 is rapidly approaching retirement age; a Baby Boomer turns 50 every 7.5 seconds; in 2006 the first Baby Boomers turned 60; by 2011, the first Baby Boomers will turn 65; and people turning 50 today have half of their adult lives ahead of them; and

WHEREAS, This growth trend will hit its peak in 2030, when the number of people over age 65 in the United States will soar to 71.5 million - twice their number in 2000, or 1 in every 5 Americans; and

WHEREAS, The number of people over age 60 in the State of Illinois is projected to increase by 87% from 1,966,236 in 2000 to 3,676,295 in 2030 - 1 in every 5 Illinoisans; and

WHEREAS, Older persons age 60 and older belonging to minority groups will increase from 307,137 in 2000 to 983,396 in 2030 - a 220% increase; and

WHEREAS, The number of persons over 85 in the State of Illinois is projected to increase by 109% from 192,346 in 2000 to 402,311 in 2030, representing 11% of the over-60 population; and

WHEREAS, A national survey of U.S. counties and cities finds that only 46% of American communities have begun planning to address the needs of the exploding population of Baby Boomers; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly finds that State and community preparedness for the aging of the population will require long-range planning, dialogue across generations, and collaboration among State and local governments and organizations in the private sector; and

WHEREAS, The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 authorize the Illinois Department on Aging and the thirteen Area Agencies on Aging to begin the process of assessing the preparedness of the State and communities for the aging of the citizenry, and to formulate recommendations to government officials at the State, county, and local levels in the areas of health and human services, land use, housing, transportation, public safety, workforce and economic development, recreation, education, civic engagement, and emergency preparedness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois Department on Aging, the thirteen Area Agencies on Aging, and a statewide membership organization that advocates for the needs of seniors, with the advice of the Illinois Council on Aging and the Older Adult Services Advisory Committee, and in collaboration with other departments and offices of State government, advocacy organizations on behalf of older adults, local units of government, and organizations in the private sector, shall assess the preparedness of the State of Illinois and counties and communities within the thirteen Planning and Service Areas of Illinois for the aging of the population and shall submit a report with recommendations for the planning and development of livable communities for all ages in Illinois to the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, and local officials by January 1, 2011; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Director of Aging.