Nursing home workers and resident advocates united at the Illinois State Capitol to call on lawmakers to address dangerous understaffing in Illinois nursing homes. The press conference, organized by SEIU Healthcare Illinois, AARP Illinois, and the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, highlighted the urgent need for accountability in the nursing home industry. Advocates urged lawmakers to enforce state fines for facilities failing to meet safe staffing standards, emphasizing the risks to resident health and safety.
Illinois nursing home workers and advocates have been fighting for better staffing standards for over a decade. In 2010, they secured legislation with groundbreaking enforcement measures to ensure safe staffing. However, many facilities failed to comply, prompting lawmakers to strengthen regulations in 2019. This included imposing fines for unsafe staffing and allocating an additional $240 million in funding to help nursing home owners meet the requirements.
Despite receiving financial support, nursing home owners lobbied for delays in enforcement. Implementation was pushed to 2025, allowing facilities to avoid penalties while understaffing persisted. With the deadline for fines set to begin on January 1, 2025, nursing home owners are again attempting to delay enforcement, sparking outcry from advocates and workers.
Advocates at the press conference emphasized the devastating consequences of understaffing. Illinois Senator Lakesia Collins highlighted the risks, stating, “Owners only have to pay the fines if they staff at unsafe levels. These are levels at which the risk of residents suffering negative outcomes—bedsores, falls, preventable deaths—is greatly elevated. They’ve had 14 years and over a billion dollars in extra financial help for staffing. The time is up—it’s time for nursing home owners to staff safely.”
Nursing home worker Donna Cruder shared her firsthand experience of the crisis. “Every day, I work short staffed. It’s hard and stressful, having all these residents I love and care for and knowing I can’t meet all their needs. I am exhausted by the end of every shift after giving all that I can to them. But it’s never enough—because one person can’t do the work of two or three people.”
Advocates made it clear that the purpose of fines is to protect residents and ensure they receive the care they deserve. David Olsen, Director of State Affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, underscored the importance of enforcement. “Effective staffing standards are a critical component of ensuring nursing home residents receive the quality care they deserve. We look forward to enforcement of these important staffing standards beginning in 2025 and appreciate the commitment of the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker to quality nursing home resident care.”
The press conference also recognized the efforts of state legislators who have consistently championed safe staffing standards, including Senators Javier Cervantes, Lakesia Collins, and Ram Villivalam, as well as Representatives Dagmara Avelar, Kelly Cassidy, Lindsey LaPointe, Yolonda Morrison, and Suzanne Ness.
As the fight continues, advocates are determined to hold nursing home owners accountable and ensure that Illinois nursing home residents receive the care and dignity they deserve.
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