Personal Injury Law

New law aimed at reducing risk of Illinois nursing home abuse and negligence

By Kris Briggs

Advocates for elder care and safety continue to await the governor's signature on a law aimed at reducing the risks of Chicago nursing home neglect.

"Nursing homes should provide safe, caring environments for residents and peace of mind for their family members," said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. "This new measure strengthens the law to enable prosecutors to crack down on negligent nursing home operators who fail to protect our most vulnerable adults."

The measure, which was passed by lawmakers in a unanimous 118-0 vote last month, makes criminal neglect in nursing homes a Class 4 felony. Nursing home employees or owners who put resident's health at risk can face charges. The penalty would increase to a Class 3 felony in cases where neglect causes a patient's death.

Media reports last year detailed a number of serious problems in Illinois nursing homes, including the practice of housing mentally ill felons in homes with elderly residents. In response, the governor convened the Illinois Nursing Home Task Force, which made a series of recommendations. Other improvements in the system include enhanced background checks and increased screening for residents.

A May 25th raid on a Jacksonville nursing home was the latest in a series of 11 raids on Illinois nursing homes conducted by the Attorney General's Office, according to the State Journal-Register.

Our Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys work with families who are concerned about the conditions of a nursing home or the treatment of elderly residents in nursing homes throughout the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health offers a number of resources for families dealing with the task of choosing a nursing home to care for an aging family member:

-How to Choose a Nursing Home

-Illinois Nursing Home Violation Reports

-Illinois Nursing Home Care Act

-Illinois Nursing Home Directory

Full post as published by Illinois Injury Law Blog on June 10, 2010 (boomark / email).