Illinois legislators hosted a senior expo in Carthage Wednesday morning.
State Senator Neil Anderson (R-47) and State Representative Norine Hammond (R-94) were on hand.
The event featured free screenings and services like blood pressure checks, plus tables for assistance programs to help against scams, finding assisted housing, or getting financial or medical assistance.
“This has been a population that has been near and dear to my heart. I’ve worked on the Human Services Committee in the House for years, and it’s been a passion of mine because this is a vulnerable population that we need to be sure that they have the services that they need,” Rep. Hammond said. “And very often we get calls to our office or folks that come in that have concerns about different issues going on in their life and as often as we warn, not just seniors, but everyone about scams that are out there, we still see people falling prey to those.”
Hammond said this event is so important because Illinois’ population is aging, and with inflation increasing and gas prices skyrocketing, plus the state approving a budget with $800 million more in taxes, the senior community needs all the help they can get.
“So often, these folks don’t have family that can help them or be their voice for them in places. So, this is another opportunity for them to intermingle and interact with folks and be able to voice their concerns and find some help for some of those concerns too,” Hammond added.