Lisa Madigan
Kevin Joyce
SPRINGFIELD, Ill (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is pushing legislation aimed at helping families considering long-term care for a loved one.
The proposal, which Madigan drafted, is dubbed the Resident's Right to Know Act. The bill is headed for Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after passing both houses of the state Legislature unanimously.
If signed by the governor, the bill would require beginning Jan. 1 that licensed, long term care nursing facilities to perform an annual Consumer Choice Information Report.
The survey will include information about the facility's quality of care, services offered and security issues related to the residents and the staff of the facility.
The information would then be accessible through the State Long Term Care Ombudsman's Web site, the attorney general's office said.
"Illinois families need the governor to sign this bill into law to ensure that when they seek long term care for their loved ones, they will have access to critical information to help make the most informed decision possible," Madigan said in a statement.
The bill was carried in the House by state Rep. Kevin Joyce, the Chicago Democrat who chairs the House Aging Committee.
"I am anxious for the Governor to sign this legislation, so families will have more access to the qualifications of the facilities that they entrust with the care of their loved ones," Joyce said.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo by e-mail at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.