The network also includes two groups which serve in an advisory capacity, the Illinois Council on Aging and the State Technical Advisory Committee. Finally, the Administration on Aging, a Federal agency, assists every U.S. state in seeing that the needs of the elderly are being met nationwide. The Department on Aging was created by the State Legislature in 1973 for the purpose of improving the quality of life for Illinois' older citizens. It is the single State agency in Illinois authorized to receive and dispense Federal Older Americans Act funds, as well as State funds through Area Agencies on Aging and community-based service providers. In addition to funding these agencies, the Department is also responsible for planning, coordinating and evaluating the system of services provided through Illinois' Aging Network.
First priority is given to serving older people with the greatest economic and social needs.
In accordance with Federal regulations, the Department on Aging has divided Illinois into 13 Planning and Service Areas. The 13 Planning and Service Areas in Illinois are each managed and served by an Area Agency on Aging. Area agencies have the primary task of planning and coordinating services and programs for older people in their respective areas. The Area Agencies receive funding from the Department based on a formula which takes into consideration the number of older citizens and minorities in that area, as well as the number living in poverty, in rural areas, and alone. Like the Department on Aging, Area Agencies are not, as a rule, direct service providers.