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IL NAELA honored the Glenview lawmaker for championing protections for older adults and families at its Fall UnProgram on October 23

BARTLETT, Ill., October 23, 2026 — The Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (IL NAELA) presented its 2026 Legislator of the Year Award to State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview, 17th District) on Friday, October 23, at the chapter's Fall UnProgram at Bartlett Hills Golf Club.

The award recognizes a member of the Illinois General Assembly whose work has made a lasting difference for older adults, people with disabilities, and the families who care for them. This year, Rep. Gong-Gershowitz carried several measures that IL NAELA members see at work in their practices every day.

A Record of Protecting Older Illinoisans

In the 2026 session, Rep. Gong-Gershowitz was the House sponsor of House Bill 4649, a bipartisan measure drafted by IL NAELA member, Amy Delaney. The law lets courts issue temporary restraining orders to stop financial exploitation, freeze assets and lines of credit, and bar a scammer's contact with the victim, while keeping funds available for necessary living expenses. Governor JB Pritzker signed it into law in July 2026, effective immediately.

She also sponsored two bills drafted by IL NAELA: HB 4462, which eases the burdens current law places on attorneys and families administering Powers of Attorney for Property, and HB 4463, on substitution of guardian’s ad litem. Both passed the House Judiciary–Civil Committee in February with bipartisan support.

An attorney by training, Rep. Gong-Gershowitz has represented the 17th District since 2019 and chairs the House Judiciary–Civil Committee, where much of the state's probate, guardianship, and estate legislation is heard.

"Representative Gong-Gershowitz understands that the law only works if it works for real families," said Melissa Kallio, President of IL NAELA. "She listened to the attorneys who sit across the table from seniors and caregivers every day, and she turned that experience into legislation that stops scammers faster and makes Powers of Attorney easier to use. We are proud to name her our Legislator of the Year."

The award was presented during IL NAELA's Fall UnProgram, an interactive, discussiondriven continuing legal education day for elder law attorneys from across Illinois on Friday, October 23 at the Bartlett Hills Golf Club, Bartlett, IL.

Pictured left to right: Rep. Gong-Gershowitz and IL NAELA President Melissa Kallio at the Fall UnProgram award ceremony.

The National Health Law Program has published a new paper by Shandra Hartly, “OBBBA Changes to Improper Payment Penalties Pose Risks to State Medicaid Programs” (September 2026).

[Read the paper] 

ACA Adult Customer Notice 8.31.26 - To Print.pdf

Recently enacted $5 civil fee will affect most civil filing and appearance fees in Illinois courts.

Of particular interest to the legal community is a provision contained in the final legislation that amends the Circuit Court Clerks Act, 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. This amendment requires that $5 from an applicable civil filing and appearance fee schedule be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the State Guardianship and Advocacy Fund.

To be clear, the county receives no portion of this fee, we are required to collect and distribute these funds directly to the State.

Senate Bill 3019 was originally introduced as an agriculture-related bill and appears to have remained largely outside of the usual court-related legislative discussions during the legislative process. This bill was substantially amended before passage and ultimately became Public Act 104-0468.

The provision appears to apply broadly to a range of ordinary civil matters, rather than being limited to a particular type of case.

It is also noteworthy that this change does not appear to have been identified by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts or the Illinois Circuit Clerks' association during the legislative process. Given that SB 3019 originated as an agriculture-related bill, the court-related provision did not have receive attention until after enactment.

The relevant language is contained in Section 65-10 of Public Act 104-0468, which amends 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. Section 65-5 also amends the State Finance Act concerning the State Guardianship and Advocacy Fund.

For reference, the Illinois General Assembly's bill status page and the final legislation are available here: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3019&DocTypeID=SB&GAID=18

NAELA is now accepting applications for open Board of Directors and Board Officer positions, and the NAELA Foundation is accepting applications for the Board of Trustees and the Board Chair position. We thank you for your continued service and hope you will consider this opportunity as a meaningful next step in your leadership journey. 

If you are eligible and interested, we encourage you to consider applying. If now is not the right time for you to apply, please help us strengthen the applicant pool by sharing this opportunity with well-qualified members in your chapter who may be ready to serve. 

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 24, 2026. 

Eligibility criteria include: 

• NAELA Board of Directors positions: Applicants must have been a member of NAELA for at least two years as of January 14, 2027, to be considered for a Board position. 
• NAELA Board Officer positions: Per NAELA's Bylaws, applicants must be either:  
• a current member of the Board of Directors who will have completed at least one term of service on the Board at the time of taking office; or 
• a past member of the Board of Directors who has served at least two full consecutive Board terms and who will have been off the Board for no more than two years at the time of taking office. 

Thank you for your service to NAELA. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Rodriguez, Manager of Governance and Executive Services.

Seniors will be better protected from potential financial exploitation under a new bipartisan measure led by State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview).

“Financial scammers can quickly wipe out the savings that Illinois residents have worked their entire lives to build up,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “This legislation empowers law enforcement and the judiciary to quickly intervene in potential cases of financial exploitation, protecting seniors and their assets from bad actors looking to take advantage of them.”

House Bill 4649 allows courts to issue temporary restraining orders against potential scammers, restrict contact between the scammer and the victim, and freeze financial assets or lines of credit. Necessary living expenses would remain available even with a freeze in place.

The legislation expands upon current provisions that allow the Attorney General, Department of Aging, or provider agencies to petition courts to freeze financial assets in suspected cases of exploitation.

Governor Pritzker also signed the following measures into law:

• HB 1783: Supporting language development for deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind children (Rep. Mussman/Sen. Cappel), effective immediately.
• HB 4509: Strengthening care for nursing home residents with serious mental illness (Rep. Grasse/Sen. Koehler), effective January 1, 2027.
• HB 4649: Strengthening protections for older adults experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation (Rep. Gong-Gershowitz/Sen. Stadelman), effective immediately.
• HB 4728: Increasing transparency and accountability for congregate care facilities serving people with developmental disabilities (Rep. Faver Dias/Sen. Cervantes), effective July 1, 2027.
• HB 4911: Protecting older adults from financial exploitation (Rep. Stuart/Sen. Lightford), effective July 1, 2027.
• HB 5365: Expanding supported decision-making for adults with disabilities and mental health conditions (Rep. Mussman/Sen. Feigenholtz), effective January 1, 2027.

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Gov. Pritzker Takes Bill Action

Today, Governor JB Pritzker took the following bill action.

For the complete list of bills, including their descriptions, actions, and effective dates, click here to view the attached document.

·                  “HR1 Module 5: Redeterminations and Retroactive Coverage”

o        Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Central Time). Register here: 8/20/26 WebEx Registration Link

·                  “HR1 Module 6: Common Questions and Answers Regarding Medicaid Changes”

o        Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Central Time). Register here:9/15/26 WebEx Registration Link

·                  “HR1 Module 7: System Changes: How to Utilize and Assist”

o        Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (Central Time) Register here: 10/21/26 WebEx Registration Link

The ILNAELA Legislative Committee has released an update on significant legislation from the 2026 legislative session. The attached update includes information on ILNAELA-sponsored legislation, bills signed by the Governor, and other important legislative developments affecting elder law and estate planning.

Click here to download the full Legislative Committee Update

House Bill 862 transforms the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission into the Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship, effective July 1, 2027.

CHICAGO — Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 862 into law, creating the Illinois Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship (IDAG). This landmark legislation positions Illinois as a national leader in disability advocacy and guardianship by elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission (IGAC) to a cabinet-level department. "By establishing the Department of Disability Advocacy and Guardianship, we are making it crystal clear that disability rights are a priority in Illinois," said Governor JB Pritzker. "I am proud to establish this agency, and I will continue to fight hard to empower people with disabilities and their families all across our state.”

Through its three primary divisions, the department will continue to provide critical support to thousands of individuals with disabilities across Illinois. The Division of State Guardian will serve as guardian of last resort for nearly 5,000 adults with disabilities.

The Division of Legal Advocacy will continue to provide legal counsel to thousands of Illinoisians each year in cases of involuntary treatment and related court proceedings, and the Division of Disability Rights and Protections will continue to investigate disability rights violations impacting thousands of Illinois Citizens with Disabilities. A newly established Advisory Council consisting of leaders from across Illinois will provide valuable ongoing input into the department's work.

"People with disabilities matter. I am honored to serve in an agency—and soon a department—whose staff leans forward every day to advocate for solutions that prioritize self-determination and independence, together with our colleagues in Illinois government, direct service providers, families and advocates statewide, " said IGAC Director Tracey B. Fleming.

“The Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has done critical, life-changing work for decades, standing as guardian for thousands of adults with disabilities, fighting for their rights in court, and investigating violations when institutions fail them. Elevating this to a cabinet-level department sends a clear message: disability rights are a state priority, and Illinois is committed to giving this mission the standing it deserves," said Leader Bob Morgan (D-58th District), House Sponsor of HB 862.

“This new department will build on a nearly fifty-year legacy of investment by Illinois in people with disabilities. I am honored to have served as a champion for this agency, and now, to help position Illinois as a national leader in this work for the next fifty," said Leader Julie Morrison (D-29th District), Sponsor of HB 862 in the Senate.

"Disability rights require institutional commitment. Elevating this mission to a full department sends a clear message that Illinois is serious about protecting the people who depend on these services most," said Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.

The new department will begin operations on July 1, 2027.

About the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
Created in 1979, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has built a legacy of safeguarding and promoting the welfare and rights of people with disabilities: providing legal representation, investigating rights violations, and serving as guardian of last resort for thousands of Illinoisans who have often gone without a voice. For more information, visit gac.illinois.gov.

Media Contacts
Simon Edelman, Director of Communications
Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
simon.edelman@illinois.gov
(217) 361-9296

Attachments

• Governor Pritzker Signs Landmark Legislation Creating a Dedicated Department on Disability Rights and Advocacy in Illinois