reporting abuse

To make a report, call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine or your local elder abuse agency.
 
SeniorStrength - For Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Stark, Woodford and Fulton Counties (309) 637-3905

Department on Aging Senior HelpLine during regular business hours: 1-866-800-1409

Department on Aging After-Hours Elder Abuse Hotline:
1-800- 279-0400

The reporter should be prepared to answer the following questions to the best of his or her ability:

  • The alleged victim's name, address, telephone number, gender, age and general condition; the best time to contact the person; and, if he or she knows the report is being made
  • The alleged abuser's name, gender, age, relationship to victim and condition
  • The circumstances which led the reporter to believe that the person is being abused, neglected or financially exploited, with as much specificity as possible
  • Whether or not the alleged victim is in immediate danger and if there is any danger to the worker going out
  • Whether or not the reporter believes the client could make a report himself or herself
  • The name, telephone number and profession of the reporter
  • The names of others with information about the situation
  • If the reporter is willing to be contacted again, and
  • Any other relevant information

* Even if the reporter does not have all of the above information, the call should be made with as much information as possible. Depending on the seriousness of the allegations, a trained caseworker will make a face-to-face contact with the victim within the following time frames:

  • 24 hours for life threatening situations
  • 72 hours for most neglect and non life-threatening physical abuse reports
  • 7 calendar days for most financial exploitation and emotional abuse reports

* The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act provides extensive protections to all reporters. Anyone who makes an elder abuse report in good faith is exempt from civil or criminal liability. A reporter's name cannot be released without the reporter's consent or by order of a court. Anonymous reports are also accepted.