Elder Abuse Task Force could come to IL

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KFVS) - The rights of seniors are being discussed at the Illinois state capitol in Springfield.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) is sponsoring legislation to create an Elder Abuse Task Force.

A release from Stuart said the force would be responsible for investigating the effectiveness of current elder protective services and laws, examining barriers to prosecution, increasing public awareness of elder abuse and reporting and studying resources and best practices in other states.

Stuart released the following statement:

“The creation of the Elder Abuse Task force will ensure that we have a focused group seeking to strengthen the rights of our seniors,” Stuart said. “To continue to protect our seniors, we need to examine our current practices and look to other resources to guarantee that seniors have the best protections when it comes to elder abuse.”

Stuart said elder abuse is severely underreported. She said it is estimated that between one in 14 and one in 23 instances of abuse or neglect are actually reported.

The resolution passes out of the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday, May 15.

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