Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0284

HR0284 LRB104 13292 MST 25531 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect approximately one million people in the United States, and the prevalence will rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and

WHEREAS, Each year, 90,000 people in the United States are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease; and

WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, The economic burden of Parkinson's disease is estimated to be at least $52 billion annually, including direct and indirect costs, which include treatment, social security payments, and lost income to patients and family members; and

WHEREAS, Research suggests the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown; and

WHEREAS, There is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson's disease, and there is no cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of the disease; and

WHEREAS, The symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to person and can include tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, cognitive impairment and dementia, mood disorders, and a variety of other non-motor symptoms; and

WHEREAS, Volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson's disease and their families; and

WHEREAS, Increased research, education, and community support services, such as those provided by the Parkinson's Foundation and other organizations, are needed to find more effective treatments and to provide access to quality care to those living with the disease today; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April of 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.