OFFICE OF LT. GOVERNOR HELPS STATE'S SENIORS

By GEORGE H. RYAN, LT. GOVERNOR

As Lieutenant Governor, one of the more rewarding aspects of my tasks is involvement with senior citizens. A special senior division of my office is dedicated to serving Illinois' 1.8 million senior citizens, providing them a wide range of programs and services — which many people do not realize are available.

At the backbone of my office's senior program are the Senior Action Centers. A toll-free number, 1-800-252-6565, enables the senior to call the office for assistance in dealing with such problems of social security, circuit breakers, food stamps, energy assistance and many more. Because senior citizens can be very vulnerable, we work to address their special needs. Last year more than 30,000 people called, wrote or stopped by the office in an effort to find a solution to their problems.

In 1977, the Senior Legislative Forum was created. The Forum is a statewide grass-roots organization of seniors that advises my office on local senior citizen issues. It provides an excellent opportunity for seniors to take charge of their lives, helping to shape policy to meet their needs.

I also feel privileged to chair the Technical Advisory Committee on Aging. Fourteen agencies or departments that provide services for seniors work together to coordinate senior programs and eliminate confusing duplications. For example, one of our most popular projects has been our collaborative effort to publish "A Guide to Senior Services in Illinois." Updated annually, this publication is requested by thousands of seniors.

A Senior Action Line column is directed to local newspapers twice a month and a quarterly newsletter is written in an effort to keep seniors apprised of programs available to them. A speaker's bureau also lends assistance to local groups in organizing senior citizen workshops, fairs and seminars.

The Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair Senior Center operations were coordinated by our Senior Action Center staff. Seniors visiting both Fairs enjoyed the informative exhibits and day-long entertainment that other seniors provided. I'm especially grateful to the thousands of volunteers who made these fairs such a success.

But throughout the years, one of the most widely publicized programs of the State is undoubtedly the Illinois Department of Revenue's Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. Through my office's Senior Action Centers, we work to promote the Circuit Breaker, which helps offset property taxes or rent expenses, along with an additional grant ($80) for a sales tax refund.

To qualify, a person must be 65 or older or disabled with a household income of less than $14,000. In July of 1985, the pharmaceutical option was enacted. If a person who qualifies and files for the Circuit Breaker takes medicine for heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, they can forego the $80 additional grant and apply for a pharmaceutical card instead.

The pharmaceutical program pays for approved prescription medicine used for treatment of heart and blood pressure problems, arthritis and diabetes. Insulin syringes and needles are also covered under this program. The spouse of a Circuit Breaker recipient may also obtain a Pharmaceutical Assistance Card as long as he or she became 65 by January 1, 1988 or is totally disabled. The spouse must submit an additional $80 fee in order to obtain a card. It is advisable to work closely with the pharmacist to learn which drugs are covered under this program.

But the Circuit Breaker/Pharmaceutical Assistance Program is but one example of the services and programs the State can offer this core sector of Illinois' population. Of course, we are always working to inform senior citizens how we can help. So do you know someone who is elderly and has particular concerns? Then let my Senior Action Centers be of assistance; just dial toll free 1-800-252-6565. •

Page 8 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1987