SWANSEA: Budzinski Leads District-Wide Advocacy Day for Senior Citizens

SWANSEA, IL - Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led seniors from across Illinois' 13th District in an advocacy day focused on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. Budzinski attended an event hosted by AgeSmart Community Resources in Swansea, while the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging and AgeLinc held concurrent events in Champaign and Springfield, respectively.

The seniors who participated in the advocacy day wrote postcards to the Senate Committee on Aging and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions calling for the full reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.

"For 60 years, the Older Americans Act has provided seniors with the support they need to live independently and age safely at home. Now it's time for a full reauthorization of this law to ensure it meets the needs of seniors today," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "Thank you to AgeSmart, AgeLinc, and East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging for helping bring together folks from across the district to stand up for these important programs. I look forward to delivering their postcards and uplifting their stories as we fight to protect and reinvigorate this important law for our seniors."

The Older Americans Act is a comprehensive law that provides a wide range of community-based services for seniors, including meals, transportation, and caregiver support. In 2020, Congress reauthorized the Older Americans Act through 2024. Although the law has now expired, Congress has yet to take up a full authorization, instead opting for a piecemeal approach in which certain programs are funded through appropriations bills.

"East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging wants to thank Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski for making the Older Americans Act a priority by hosting this important advocacy day" said Susan C. Real, Chief Executive Officer of the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA) and Legislative Committee Co-Chair for the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging. "For over 50 years, Area Agencies on Aging have served as local leaders by providing community-based services to over 478,000 older Illinoisans and their caregivers"

"Reauthorizing the Older Americans Act isn't just about funding - it's about ensuring a neighbor, a parent, or a grandparent can get a meal, a ride, or support when they need it most," said Marjorie Moore, Chief Executive Officer of AgeSmart Community Resources. "When the Older Americans Act is delayed or underfunded, families feel it immediately: caregivers are stretched too thin, seniors miss meals, and people struggle to get the help they need to stay independent at home. This law touches real lives every day - it's why a 102-year-old can enjoy a meal and conversation, why a caregiver can catch a break, and why families don't have to face aging alone."

"We were happy to partner with Nikki Budzinski's office to host this event. We hope that our efforts will meet with success and that we can partner on initiatives important to Older Adults in the future," said Carolyn Austin, Chief Executive Officer of AgeLinc.

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