Chicago Tribune : By Todd Wilson
The House passed legislation today that would set stricter rules and guidelines for nursing homes in Illinois that care for the developmentally disabled.
The measure, which passed the House 69-45, would give harsher penalties for poor care and make sure families are notified quickly about problems at facilities.
Sponsoring Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, said the purpose of the bill, which was inspired by a Tribune investigative series, is to focus on rehabilitation and preparing mentally ill and developmentally disabled residents to leave nursing homes and make their way in the outside world.
"We want to get people to get ready to live in the community," Feigenholtz said. "So now we're going to start looking at teaching people how to cook, possibly some vocational stuff. We're going to sit down and start working on that."
In October the Tribune reported on a North Side facility called Alden Village North where 13 developmentally disabled children and young adults have died since 2000.
The measure now goes to the Senate.
No comments:
Post a Comment