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.
