CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-05, officially establishing the EngAging Illinois Multisector Plan for Aging Commission. The Commission will implement the State’s landmark Multisector Plan for Aging, a 10-year blueprint to address the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers across Illinois.
“Today’s Executive Order marks a powerful step toward ensuring that every Illinoisan has the support they need to age with dignity,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are turning vision into action — strengthening supports for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, expanding community partnerships, and building an Illinois where healthy aging is both celebrated and achievable.”
In 2024, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2024-02 to kick off the planning process for the Multisector Plan for Aging. Today’s action officially launches the EngAging Illinois Commission to oversee implementation of the 10-year plan. The Executive Order also directs Illinois to join 13 other AARP-designated “Age-Friendly” states that are committed to promoting and celebrating healthy aging. Dozens of Illinois cities have already joined AARP’s effort.
“Every Illinoisan deserves the opportunity to age with dignity, connection, and purpose,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “The EngAging Illinois Multisector Plan reflects our shared commitment to building communities where older adults and caregivers are supported, valued, and empowered. By bringing together leaders across government, healthcare, housing, transportation, and community organizations, we are creating a stronger, more equitable future for people of all ages across our state.”
Today’s Executive Order also reaffirms Illinois’ commitment to ensuring that Illinoisans can live dignified, engaged, and meaningful lives. The state’s groundbreaking multisector plan, announced in January 2026, outlines a range of strategies and actions — in areas such as community development, health, housing, transportation, caregiving, and financial services — that will help residents remain healthy, connected, and engaged as they grow older. Critically, the plan also seeks to address long-standing inequities and service gaps that prevent people from living with a sense of security and stability as they age.
“EngAging Illinois points to the power and possibility that older adults in Illinois bring to their families, communities, and the state,” said Mary Killough, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. “We are building on existing efforts to create the opportunities, services, and supports people need to live well as they age.”
The Commission will be administered by the Illinois Department on Aging and co-chaired by the Chief Planning Officer, along with a subject matter expert from outside of State government. The Commission will also consist of 10 members reflecting the geographic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of the state, along with the Directors/Secretaries or their designees of 20 state agencies; two members of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the House Speaker and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; and two members of the Illinois Senate, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Republican Leader of the Senate.
“Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order is a critical step toward making Illinois a more livable, age-friendly state,” said Philippe Largent, AARP Illinois State Director. “AARP Illinois commends the Governor and the Illinois Department on Aging for their commitment to making Illinois the next member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States. This effort will help improve quality of life for all Illinoisans by making housing more affordable, expanding access to transportation, strengthening caregiving supports and increasing community and social connections — so more Illinoisans can age with dignity, independence, and choice in the communities they call home.”
Commissioners will work to make Illinois a leader among states in supporting older adults and their caregivers by providing cross-sector expertise, monitoring implementation progress and identifying barriers and opportunities, and convening work groups aligned with the plan’s focus areas.
The Commission will submit its first report to the Governor and General Assembly on December 31, 2026, with annual progress reports thereafter.
Guiding Multiple Work Groups: The Commission will steer the work of numerous EngAging Illinois work groups specific to the priorities outlined in the Multisector Plan, including:
Representatives of community-based organizations, businesses, philanthropy, healthcare systems, and older adults from across the state will serve on these groups, identifying innovative ways to engage and support all of us as we get older, so we can continue to be important contributors to our families and communities and continue to live with joy, passion, and purpose.
These implementation work groups will help strengthen cross-governmental relationships, build resilience by elevating common goals across agencies and sectors, and identify new ways to streamline efforts and resources.
“We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of dedicated Illinoisans serving on the Commission and the work groups,” said Michelle Hoersch, Chief Planning Officer for the Multisector Plan for Aging. “Their combined talents and expertise are essential to ensuring the success of our multisector plan, and I look forward to working with them and sharing our collective progress in the months and years ahead.”
The strategies and actions presented in the plan will serve as a 10-year roadmap for the Commission and the work groups, which will have several responsibilities, including:
Information about EngAging Illinois can be found at: https://bit.ly/engagingillinois.
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