A Senate Panel is prepared to work towards solution after discouraging testimony

CHICAGO, IL — A Senate panel yesterday heard first-hand accounts of the inadequate and substandard care many nursing home residents have been receiving in Chicago today.

The hearing came at the request of State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) who has been working with community leaders over recent months to address what she describes as a "substantial disparity" in care to black nursing home residents living on Chicago’s South Side.

"Witness after witness not only gave anecdotal accounts of negative experiences in nursing homes, witnesses gave facts and figures relating to inadequate care," said Collins. "The paper trail makes it clear that black nursing home residents in Chicago have fallen victim to a systemic failure."

The hearing included testimony from families of residents, state agencies, advocates and representatives of the nursing home industry. The hearing also featured testimony from The Chicago Reporter, who has documented stories of nursing home inequity in urban areas in an investigative series.

"For far too long, nursing home operators and owners have been allowed to simply pay minimal fines for lack of care," added Collins. "It’s time to change how we treat nursing home abuse, neglect and bias in Illinois and rewrite the policies that allow these patterns to continue."

The Public Health & Human Services Committees are also scheduled to meet November 5th to address nursing home placement issues and the safety of nursing home residents. Collins is optimistic that a legislative proposal will come forth from the Senate’s efforts.

"The fight for better care of nursing home residents is an issue we all need to embrace," Collins said. "I urge Governor Quinn to make inequities in nursing care a priority as his taskforce presents their findings."