Illinois residents are increasingly relying on home care services to safely age in place, particularly those living in assisted living, shared housing, and other residential care settings. Families trust these facilities to help connect them with safe, reliable caregivers when additional support is needed.

However, current Illinois law does not consistently require that referrals for home care services come from licensed providers. This gap has allowed the growth of a “gray market” of unlicensed caregivers operating without proper oversight or accountability. As a result, vulnerable individuals may be exposed to serious risks, including:

• Care provided by individuals without appropriate training or qualifications
• Lack of criminal background checks
• No supervision or care coordination
• No insurance coverage, leaving families financially liable
• Increased risk of neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation

House Bill 4612 addresses this gap by requiring assisted living, shared housing, community living, and life care facilities to refer residents only to providers licensed under Illinois law. This is a targeted, commonsense policy that:

• Strengthens resident safety
• Ensures accountability and oversight
• Supports high-quality care standards
• Provides clarity for facilities and families