Caregiving

We know you’re out there, and this is the final chance to let us know! AARP Illinois and Crain’s Chicago Business teamed up to present our first 50@50+ Illinois.

Por Kelly Soderlund

By Kelly Soderlund

State lawmakers recently passed the Employee Sick Leave Act, which allows family caregivers to use up to half of their sick leave benefits at work to take time off for a family member’s illness, injury or medical appointments. AARP Illinois was the leading advocate for the new law, which will take effect Jan. 1.

Millions of family caregivers in Illinois will have many reasons to celebrate during National Caregiving Month in November, as new laws will provide much and urgently needed help for them as they take care of their loved ones.

Both chambers of the General Assembly have passed a bill that would allow workers who are also family caregivers to use up to six months of accrued sick leave annually to care for their loved ones. AARP Illinois supports the bill and is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) to sign it into law.

AARP Illinois was proud to contribute to a Fox Illinois news story on Gov. Bruce Rauner recent passage of a law that would help Illinois Caregivers. AARP supports this piece of legislation which provides much needed assistance to families across the state.

AARP IL Applauds Governor Rauner for Supporting Working Family Caregivers

Over 40,000 Illinois vulnerable seniors will face reduced services and potentially daunting waitlists in obtaining in-home care due to Governor Rauner’s veto of the Community Care Program Protection bill. Last Friday, the Governor vetoed a measure which safeguards in-home and community care for seniors and people with disabilities across our state.

We received such positive feedback from last month’s blog post, so I’m sharing a few additional questions I’ve recently received from patients and their families. Should you have a question of your own, please comment below so others can benefit from the discussion.