Gov. Pritzker expands protections for those with disabilities, mental illness

Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation to strengthen protections for older adults, children, people with disabilities and individuals living with serious mental illness in Illinois.

According to a release, legislation included the following:

• House Bill 1783: Supports language development for deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind children, effective immediately.
• House Bill 4509: Strengthens care for nursing home residents with serious mental illness, effective January 1, 2027.
• House Bill 4649: Strengthens protections for older adults experiencing abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, effective immediately.
• House Bill 4728: Increases transparency and accountability for congregate care facilities serving people with developmental disabilities, effective July 1, 2027.
• House Bill 4911: Protects older adults from financial exploitation, effective July 1, 2027.
• House Bill 5365: Expands supported decision-making for adults with disabilities and mental health conditions, effective January 1, 2027.

“Every Illinoisan deserves the opportunity to thrive,”Pritzker said. “These new laws strengthen protections for children, older adults and people with disabilities by helping prevent exploitation, expanding access to care and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their own lives. Illinois continues to lead by putting people first.”

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