Illinois Department on Aging

10/22/2026

Is your Medicare plan still the right mix of benefits and costs for your needs and budget? Now’s the time to review prescription drug and coverage options for 2027: www.Medicare.gov/plan-compare.

10/22/2026

In case you missed it — Illinois made history this week!

On Tuesday, Illinois was officially designated an AARP Age Friendly State, becoming just the 16th state in the country to join the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities.

What does that mean for you? It means Illinois has made a formal commitment to building communities where people of every age can live well, stay connected, and continue contributing. From housing and transportation to health, caregiving, and social connection, this designation is about making Illinois a place where growing older means growing stronger.

And the work is already well underway through EngAging Illinois, our state’s 10-year plan for aging well. AARP Illinois will also be taking the conversation statewide through ongoing programming on WVON and WGN Radio, so stay tuned.

10/21/2026

Meet Barbara from Springfield, IL!

Barbara puts it well: aging well means having resources readily available, knowing where to find them, and feeling empowered to use them without shame or stigma.

Her story is part of We Are Aging Illinois: Portraits of Joy, Purpose, and Possibility, a campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of older adults across Illinois. Visit our online exhibit to see more portraits and join the growing community of older Illinoisans sharing what aging well means to them!

See more portraits: weareagingil.smugmug.com/Gallery
Share your story: tally.so/r/lbplpo

10/20/2026

Illinois is officially on the map as an age friendly state!

AARP Illinois and the Illinois Department on Aging announced at a joint press conference today that Illinois has officially been designated an AARP Age Friendly State, making Illinois the 16th state in the country to join the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities.

This designation is a meaningful recognition of the work already underway through EngAging Illinois, our state’s 10-year multisector plan for aging. Today’s press conference brought together Philippe Largent, AARP Illinois State Director, Mary Killough, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging, Michelle Hoersch, Chief Planning Officer of EngAging Illinois, Mary O’Donnell, President of RRF Foundation for Aging, and George Daniels, Founder of George’s Music Room, who shared his personal perspective on what it means to live and age well in Illinois.

Stay tuned for ongoing conversations about aging well in Illinois on WGN Radio!

10/15/2026

Tune in today! Good things are hapening for older adults in IIllinois, and today we are talking about it live on the WVON Matt MCGill Show at 2:30 pm.

IDoA Director Mary Killough and EngAging Illinois Chief Planning Officer Michelle Hoersch will be joined by Ryan Gruenenfelder of AARP Illinois for a conversation about two major milestones: the launch of EngAging Illinois, Illinois’ new 10-year plan to help older adults age with dignity, independence, and purpose, and Illinois’ brand new designation as an AARP Age-Friendly State.

This is just the beginning of a broader public conversation about what it means to make Illinois a great place to grow older. Stay tuned for more!

Stream online via WVON on iHeartRadio, or tune to 1690 AM if you are in the Chicago area!

10/13/2026

Meet Brian and Cheryl!

For Brian and Cheryl, aging well means living independently and enjoying life and travel.

They were among the more than 120 older adults who shared their stories at the EngAging Illinois photo booth at the Illinois State Fair this summer as part of We Are Aging Illinois: Portraits of Joy, Purpose, and Possibility, a campaign to celebrate the voices, experiences, and wisdom of older adults across our state. Want to add your voice?

Share and join our growing online exhibit of older Illinoisans showing what it means to age well!

View more portraits: weareagingil.smugmug.com/Gallery
Submit your own: tally.so/r/lbplpo

10/09/2026

Aging is a varied experience, but one that unites us. Let’s build a society that works for us all. https://asaging.org/ageism-awareness

10/07/2026

We Are Aging Illinois is open to everyone!

At the Illinois State Fair this summer, as part of the larger We Are Aging Illinois social media campaign, more than 120 older adults stopped by the EngAging Illinois photo booth to share their portraits and answer one question: what does aging well mean to you? The stories and photos we collected that day were truly something special, and now we want to hear from you too!

We Are Aging Illinois: Portraits of Joy, Purpose, and Possibility is a storytelling campaign that celebrates the voices, experiences, and wisdom of older adults across our state. Participating is easy — just submit a photo of yourself, alone or with family and friends, and share what aging well means to you. Your photo and answer may be featured on our social media, in EngAging Illinois materials, and in our online exhibit.

See the portraits from the State Fair and get inspired at our online exhibit, then add your own story!

View the exhibit: weareagingil.smugmug.com/Gallery
Submit your photo and answer: tally.so/r/lbplpo

10/05/2026

10/02/2026

Join our leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer, guiding the Division of Finance and Administration with vision, expertise, and strategic impact. In this executive role, you will shape financial policy, direct complex fiscal operations, and ensure the integrity of the agency’s financial stewardship.

Learn more and apply: https://illinois.jobs2web.com/job/Springfield-Chief-Financial-Officer-%28SPSA%2C2%29-IL-62702/1436151400/