Kane County officials warn aging population will increase demand for housing, transportation and services

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — Kane County staff and regional partners told the county board’s Committee of the Whole on June 24 that the county’s population is aging and that gaps in transportation, home-based services and care infrastructure will require coordinated action.

County planners presented demographic forecasts and a township-level map showing marked increases in residents 65 and older over the last decade; county transportation staff described a paratransit program that serves thousands of rides a month but relies on unstable, multiple funding streams; the sheriff’s office described rising social-work caseloads for seniors; and local senior-center and regional non‑profit leaders urged more investment in community-based services.

The county’s maps and data: why it matters

Roger Fonstock of the county’s IT and buildings group showed a township-level map that the presenters said came from U.S. Census Bureau and USAFacts data. Fonstock highlighted that several townships have more than 20 percent of residents age 65 and older — Rutland Township was shown at about 27.47 percent with roughly 7,400 residents age 65+, while denser municipalities such as Elgin and Aurora each contain larger raw counts of older residents (presenters reported roughly 16,000 seniors in each city’s portion within Kane County). Officials said the share of residents 65+ rose notably between 2010 and 2022 and that the county’s 50+ population is also increasing.

Chris Roth, introduced as a planner with Kane County Community and Development Services, summarized the demographic trend: the county’s median age has inched upward, the share of householders age 55+ has risen, and predictive tools (Esri/Lightcast) indicate continued growth in older age brackets through 2029. Roth and Fonstock said their inventories identified roughly 74–77 senior living or residential-care sites in the county, with differences by data source and NAICS classification acknowledged.

Transportation and the paratransit program

Heidi Files, who presented on transportation accessibility, described the county’s paratransit program (referred to in the presentation as the Ride program) and the financial patchwork that supports it. Files said the program registers about 10,000 riders and averages roughly 5,000 trips per month; it uses a mix of minivans, small buses and contracted vehicles and operates every day of the year.

Files said PACE Suburban Bus increased its operating subsidy to the program this year and "gave us $2,200,000 this year to pay for up to 50%." Historically, Section 5310 federal funds (referred to in the presentation as "53 10" funds) covered a significant share; presenters said those federal funds currently cover a smaller proportion (presenters described the federal share as closer to 25% of current costs in the most recent budget scenario) and that the county and municipal sponsors make up the rest. Files described a proposal under discussion to create a single, universal countywide sponsor/provider arrangement — mirroring programs in nearby counties — that would standardize trip rules and simplify administration, but she warned that the PACE 50% commitment is verbal, not guaranteed in writing, and that Section 5310 funds are never guaranteed.

Sheriff’s Office social-work caseloads and Silver Alert follow-up

Desi, a sheriff’s office social worker assigned to the department’s special victims/senior team, described a steady rise in the office’s senior-wellbeing cases: 17 cases in 2021, 49 in 2022, 50 in 2023 and 61 in 2024, with 36 cases logged year‑to‑date at the time of presentation. Desi explained the Silver Alert criteria used for missing seniors: "This person must be 65 years or older, have a severe cognitive impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, [and be] believed to be at risk of serious harm or death," after which a statewide alert can be activated and social‑work follow‑up occurs. Desi and Amy from the sheriff’s office said social workers provide safety planning, home visits and linkages to community resources and emphasized gaps in awareness of available social‑work services.

Local providers and community services

Sherry McMurray, director of the Geneva Township Senior Center, said the center has about 1,600 registered members and described the center’s role in preventing isolation through daily activities, community dining and a monthly newsletter. McMurray and other presenters pointed to research linking social isolation to worse health outcomes and urged support for centers and volunteer programs that deliver meals and rides.

Marla Fronczak, chief executive officer of AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, put the county’s needs in a regional policy context and outlined funding streams. Fronczak said AgeGuide awarded more than $3,700,000 in state and federal funds to the county in the most recent award round and stressed that Older Americans Act programs and other federal safety-net programs are central to preserving home‑and‑community‑based services. She also cited caregiver statistics and urged investments that support family caregivers, workforce strategies that accommodate older workers and creative housing options.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members asked for more granular data (by census tract and by facility type), an Excel inventory of identified senior facilities, and clarification on how different NAICS codes classify short‑term rehab, assisted living and long‑term skilled nursing. Presenters agreed to pursue follow-ups: more detailed mapping by census tract or municipality, a facility inventory spreadsheet, and additional cost data comparing in‑home care to facility care if available.

Chair and staff outlined immediate next steps: the chair will convene regional meetings with township supervisors to document local needs and services; staff will continue discussions with PACE and the RTA about a potential universal paratransit governance model; and sheriff’s social workers and AgeGuide will continue outreach and education about available services.

Ending

Presenters repeatedly framed the issue as a long‑term demographic shift requiring planning across transportation, housing, public safety and community services. County staff asked the board to consider continuing interim budget support while federal and regional funds are sought and to support outreach to state and federal legislators for sustainable funding of paratransit and home‑and‑community‑based services.