SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed multiple bills into law Thursday to uplift vulnerable people across the state. Democrats and Republicans worked together to tackle financial exploitation of seniors and improve mental health evaluations in nursing homes.

One law will allow financial institutions to disclose suspicions of financial exploitation to trusted contacts, co-owners and beneficiaries of account holders. The measure also creates a Department on Aging online portal to receive reports of suspected financial exploitation and abuse.

"This bill permits a financial institution to place a transactional hold on an eligible adult's account if there exists reasonable suspicion that a transaction or disbursement from the account may involve financial exploitation of an eligible adult," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). 

A separate law will allow courts to issue temporary restraining orders in cases involving abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

"There are an alarming number of accounts of scams and financial abuse targeting older adults," said Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). "This will ensure that we have more tools and can act more quickly to protect older adults regarding their safety and financial security."

The state is also taking steps to improve nursing home mental health evaluations. Gov. JB Pritzker approved a bill calling on the Illinois Department of Human Services or a designee to visit any person admitted to a nursing home with a diagnosis of serious mental illness within 60 days of admission.

"Prompt DHS visits will be required after a significant change in a physical or mental condition," said Rep. Nicolle Grasse (D-Arlington Heights). "This has the support of the Illinois Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, AARP and DHS."

This law also requires DHS to ensure there are no conflicts of interest among employees administering pre-admission screenings. Sponsors hope this change will give families confidence residents are evaluated fairly.

A separate bill signed Thursday will ensure children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf blind have equitable access to early literacy development. The law creates a language needs assessment program informed by deaf educators, early childhood experts and Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission members. 

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.