Kendall County Times

Illinois nursing home tenants would be banned from performing work at their host facility unless it serves a specific therapeutic or medical purpose, according to legislation that recently advanced from a Senate committee. 

The main focus of the legislation, Senate Bill 1633, from Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), is to ensure those individuals' and workers' human rights are protected. 

"When we have loved ones living in a nursing home, we should have full confidence that they will be cared for with courtesy and proper medical practices. This initiative will help give nursing home residents the opportunity to enjoy the highest quality of life," Sen. Karina Villa said in an April 18 Facebook post. 

The legislation requires a written grievance procedure for residents to voice their concerns, including at outpatient mental health service facilities. Under this bill, nursing home residents will have the right to courteous treatment to protection and advocacy services. The patient rights would protect all nursing home patients in the Medical Patient Rights Act, which are applicable under the Nursing Home Care Act.

“When we have loved ones living in a nursing home, we should have full confidence that they will be cared for with courtesy and proper medical practices,” Villa said in a statement. “This initiative will help give nursing home residents the opportunity to enjoy the highest quality of life.”

Villa has worked with community members and health care professionals on the Senior Advisory Committee to address issues that affect older Illinois residents, and this bill has been introduced to ensure these individuals’ health and human rights are protected.