New Protections for Nursing Home Residents
Many Illinois homeowners find themselves in a nursing home as they get older. And unfortunately, at least some of those nursing home residents might be mistreated. Most people have heard one or two nightmare stories about nursing home abuse, neglect or retailation. A new Illinois law, passed recently on March 21, 2025, was written to protect nursing home residents from retaliatory conduct. The law, while passed already, does not go into effect until January 1, 2026. What does this new law require?
- Starting next year, nursing home residents and their families must receive a notice about their rights at least once each year.
- Nursing homes will be required to train their staff to prevent retaliatory actions.
- Nursing homes must post information about the protections somewhere where residents, staff and visitors can all see it,
But what if all of these measures don’t prevent retaliatory action? In that event, suit may filed against the nursing home within two years of the retaliatory action. All complaints under the new law should be made to the Department of Public Health.