Manley Helps Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Through Monthly Legislative Advisory Committee

Manley Helps Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Through Monthly Legislative Advisory Committee

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Grandparents who unexpectedly find themselves raising grandchildren face numerous challenges — not only whatever issues brought them together in the first place — but also antiquated, statewide computer systems make it difficult to find information that they need.

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, has led the state in identifying and resolving these problems. Last week, she again held an ongoing monthly meeting, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legislative Advisory Committee (GrandLAC), bringing together grandparents and others who face similar challenges.

Since these meetings began in 2022, Manley sponsored legislation in 2023 that created a three-year pilot program administered through the Department on Aging called “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Plus.” In particular, the program funds a full-time intake coordinator to assist in navigating the system.

While there are over 70,000 Illinois grandparents raising grandchildren, the “plus” refers to the countless other non-parent family members who are also raising kids who are not their own.

In addition to these legislative advisory committee meetings fueling important legislation, the attendees continue to assist and advise ways to improve.

Last week, Manley hosted the committee that spoke directly to House Human Services staffers in Springfield, who joined via Zoom. The conversation revealed a very clear need for intake coordinators.

One grandparent said she has been to court 207 times and spent over $100,000. Another said she had to take a new mortgage on their home. Most people agreed they made costly mistakes due to a lack of knowledge.

“This is what we’ve been fighting, and no one wants to listen to us, except Leader Manley,” said Sheree Stilwell, who is raising a grandchild. “Most of us here are beyond the point where any legislation can help us. We do this so it helps others.”

Under Manley’s leadership, the committee discusses ways to equip new guardians with accurate knowledge of their rights and available resources.

"Providing for children is hard even for a youthful parent, let alone the elderly trying to navigate a non-user friendly system,” Manley said. “This program solves an immediate problem for this vulnerable population by improving and giving access to existing state services.”

Anyone who wants to join the advisory committee, GrandLAC, is welcome, although reservations are required. The meetings will resume February 3, 2025 at noon at the Romeoville campus of Joliet Junior College, 1125 W. Romeoville Road, in room 1019. Meetings are typically held the first Monday of the month at the same time and place. For more information, and/or to reserve a seat, anyone may call 815-725-2741.

SOME EXAMPLES OF CHALLENGES:

Laws and services differ for guardianship, fostering, and adoption.

Children in state custody lose health insurance upon adoption.

Many of these children face developmental disabilities or other special needs.

Children with academic or developmental challenges may require additional coordination with schools for an individualized education program (IEP), or 504 plan, adding another layer of complexity.

In some townships, seniors may lose their senior freeze in property taxes if the children receive financial benefits.




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