State Senator Susan Garrett
State Representative Kathy Ryg

HIGHWOOD, Illinois – In a statewide effort to prevent abuse of nursing home residents, a bill sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D – Lake Forest) and State Representative Kathy Ryg (D – Vernon Hills), which makes changes in the standards for reviewing deaths and sexual assaults in nursing homes, has been signed by Governor Blagojevich and becomes law immediately.

Senate Bill 2326 provides funding for the formation of Abuse Prevention Review Teams, which were authorized by legislation in 2003 but never formed. “The original bill was passed, signed into law, and then nothing happened. In the meantime, at least one serious case of sexual abuse occurred in a nursing home that resulted in a pregnancy. We can’t afford to wait another day. These teams must be in place as soon as possible,” said Senator Garrett.

Senator Garrett and Representative Ryg worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Citizens for Better Care to determine the cost of creating and operating the review teams and providing ongoing funding.

“This bill will help to protect nursing home residents and help prevent terrible abuses from happening,” said Rep. Ryg. “We will continue to follow the implementation of the legislation and work with the health care and law enforcement communities to ensure the protection and well-being of nursing home residents.”

On average, there are 18 proven cases of sexual abuse of residents in Illinois nursing homes each year. These cases will all be subject to review by the Abuse Prevention Review Teams. In addition, many deaths in nursing homes will be subject to review even if they were not related to violations of Health Department regulations.