Reform for Illinois Nursing Homes Came Too Late for Some

Chicago, ILIt was back in July that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced the implementation of what was then referred to as historic legislation to reform long-term care in the state. The goal was to improve the care available to residents of nursing homes in Illinois.



During a signing ceremony July 29, Governor Quinn noted that the legislation grew from what he called a comprehensive study looking into the sector. "We learned from newspapers and others that there are problems in nursing homes in Illinois," the Governor says in this video.

The Nursing Home Safety Task Force was formed in 2009 to look into allegations of Illinois nursing home abuse and other issues pertaining to the care of residents.

"Older adults who require 24-hour care deserve safe, high-quality care," Governor Quinn said in his remarks. "Persons with mental illness who must have care and treatment to live full and productive lives, they deserve the best treatment possible. And it's important that we protect vulnerable citizens, [and] especially older adults."

A big part of the legislative reform was presumably directed toward the capacity for some nursing homes in Illinois to house elderly residents and individuals with criminal backgrounds in the same facility. Attorney General for the State of Illinois, Lisa Madigan, appeared on the dais and spoke to a situation "back in 2005, [when] we ultimately had to shut down a nursing home because they had sex offenders and criminals living in it," Madigan said.

"We don't want [residents] in a situation where they are not getting the care they need, and we don't want them in a situation where they are potentially being harmed by criminals."




Presumably, part of the investigation would have included the situation surrounding Felicia Daniels, a diagnosed schizophrenic who had been living at the Monroe Pavilion Health and Treatment Center for some years. In the fall of 2009, Daniels' 23-year-old daughter received word that her 42-year-old mother had become pregnant.

According to the younger Daniels, the institution told her that the intercourse was consensual and that residents had boyfriends and girlfriends at the Illinois nursing home. However, according to this report from NBC 5 Chicago from November 2009, Felicia Daniels' mental condition is so severe, she is unable to make decisions for herself.

Little wonder that the State of Illinois brought forth legislation to curb such Illinois nursing home neglect.