It is our goal to develop solid, workable means to fight fraud against seniors, who are primary targets of such crime. The Governor named Lt. Corinne Wood as Honorary Chair of the Task Force. As a State Representative, Wood sponsored legislation strengthening the state's ability to respond to elder abuse, and she has continued to advocate for seniors as Lt. Governor. The Illinois Department on Aging, through its Elder Abuse and Neglect Program, annually responds to nearly 8,000 reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
Financial exploitation accounts for about half of all abuse reports.
The Task Force chose Bloomington as the site of its first meeting.