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The Council on Aging

EDITORS: I read with interest and disappointment the article by Dennis and Judith Fradin entitled "Seniors Want Action" in the March, 1979, issue. The most important State function in the last six years for older citizens in Illinois was the statute authority which created the Illinois Council on Aging and the Illinois Department on Aging.

Illinois is one of the few progressive states which have, by law, advocates and cabinet-level operations for the elderly. The canard or political groupings which were discussed are a mere draft in a tornado compared to what is accomplished by the Illinois Council on Aging and the Illinois Department on Aging's network of area agencies and nutrition programs.

The needs discussed were incomplete. As an example, south of the Chicago area, the number one need is transportation. Yet this and many, many other areas were ignored or, more accurately stated, unresearched. The Illinois Council on Aging is appointed by the Governor. It reports directly to the General Assembly and the Governor. The Illinois Department on Aging has a budget of over 40 million dollars with major thrusts and activities. But yet these were omitted. Older citizens deserve better and your readers deserve better.

I strongly suggest a follow-up article with complete information.

David B. Monson
Special assistant to the director
Illinois Department on Aging

July 1979 / Illinois Issues / 18