Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect in Illinois
- Andrew Bartlett
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
The State Journal Register has reported that 16 Springfield area nursing homes have received fines from the State of Illinois. Negligent conditions found in nursing homes across the State of Illinois, resulted in 243 violations within the first three months of 2025. If this trend continues, Illinois will see almost 1,000 violations of law by these facilities in 2025.
This issue has elicited deep concern within our community and many others across the state. Residents of nursing homes are often vulnerable individuals, vulnerability does not equate to inability. Illinois law empowers nursing home residents or families to bring lawsuits against these businesses that have inappropriately treated their residents.
Affected Areas
One Jacksonville facility failed to obtain appropriate medical care for a resident for exhibiting: abnormal movements, falling, and repeatedly gagging. This failure of care resulted in this resident suffering from neurological injuries.
A Springfield nursing home failed to conduct basic background checks on its residents. 10 of their residents did not undergo background checks. Another Springfield facility committed an even more serious offence. Their lack of background checks allowed 2 registered sex offenders to become residents. Appallingly, a Mason City facility was cited for committing both of these violations.
In Carlinville, a facility received information about one of its employees committing offenses that would disqualify any person from working in a nursing home. After this facility disregarded this information and didn't follow termination procedures, the State had to step in.
A Decatur nursing home was cited for failure to maintain basic human sanitation standards. This facility has a 154 bed capacity while having only 4 working showers and no functioning tubs.
In Moweaqua, a facility was fined over $2,000 for their blatant mistreatment. A resident in their facility suffered from malnutrition and lost almost 14% of their body weight, all within 3 and a half months. This came to fruition because employees failed to follow basic rules about the patient's feeding tube.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, are a common sign of neglect within these facilities. These issues are developed by laying in beds for long periods of time without adequate care. When the pressure from a person's body has been pushing against a specific area this pressure interrupts blood flow. The tissue with interrupted blood flow becomes ischemic and dies.
These ulcers may present as open wounds or discolored skin, often resembling large bruises. These dangerous injuries are most common on the hips, heels, elbows, and the lower back. There are serious complications associated with the lack of care of the ulcers including: bacterial infections, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, sepsis, any many other fatal complications. Illinois law requires nursing homes to take preventative steps for residents to develop bedsores. If these are allowed to occur due to lack of adequate care, these facilities may be liable.
Shay + Associates have significant experience dealing with these neglectful facilities, we will treat you, or your loved ones, with the utmost respect and justice. We are extremely dedicated to helping those who are vulnerable to this abuse, if you or a loved one have experienced any of the violations or are experiencing signs of abuse, we can help. Don't hesitate to call our office, we can and want to help.
Decatur: 217-425-5900
260 E. Wood St. Decatur, IL 62523
Springfield: 217-523-5900
1030 S. Durkin Dr. Springfield, IL 62704