Demanding Accountability
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IL 'Financial Exploitation' bill signing:
Real reform or photo op fodder?
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By Lou Ann Anderson
estateofdenial.comIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn (pictured right) had a bill signing road trip on Saturday that included a measure to “protect Illinois’ seniors from the most commonly reported form of elder abuse: financial exploitation. The new law requires financial institutions across the state to play a stronger role in identifying and reporting financial exploitation of older adults.”
We know a few folks with elderly family members in Illinois who absolutely have been financially (and otherwise) exploited through Involuntary Redistribution of Assets (IRA) actions. Ironically, some with financial institutions as key players in the perpetration of such acts.
A prepared statement says:
Earlier this month, the Governor Quinn proclaimed July as Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Illinois. The month-long campaign encourages people to “Break the Silence” and report suspected incidents of elder abuse. Today’s bill signing further strengthens the state’s awareness and prevention efforts. The new law was sponsored by Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and Rep. Art Turner (D-Chicago) and takes effect immediately.
At EoD we believe that financial exploitation of anyone (regardless of age or other factors) is a ratty thing and are therefore not fans of segregationalist legislation that sets precedent for unequal protection under the law. Having said that, though, if indeed this is a chosen course of action - let’s at least make it impactful.
So this bill requires financial institutions to play more of a role in identifying/reporting financial exploitation as well as strengthens the state’s awareness/prevention efforts. Identifying, reporting, awareness, prevention - it all sounds good, but when do we strengthen action taken against the perpetrators of such acts? Anyone for prosecution? Incarceration? Probably not members of the legal industry many of which often populate state legislatures - but that’s another part of the problem…
Gov. Quinn (or staff), please feel free to contact us here at EstateofDenial.com and we’ll be glad to connect you with our folks who have experienced financial exploitation there in Illinois. They will be happy to provide input for action that creates far more than a photo opp.
jjj
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