Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Stalls Nursing Home Retaliation Bill, Advocates Claim

Nursing Home Residents Face Retaliation for Speaking Out

Mary Matthews and her former roommate at a Rogers Park nursing home once witnessed staffers tie another patient to a chair with a bed sheet around his waist, something “you can’t even do to prisoners,” Matthews says.

Shortly after complaining about the disturbing scene, Matthews’ roommate was forced out of the facility, the result of a separate, bogus complaint she says managers coerced another resident into filing.

But other nursing home residents have faced even worse repercussions after speaking up about problems, Matthews says, from physical harm to withholding food and medicine — so many feel it’s better to keep quiet.

“They’re not likely to get any kind of relief from it, and they’re very likely to get retaliation from it,” said Matthews, who now lives on her own in West Ridge.

Bill Aims to Deter Retaliation

A bill filed in Springfield almost a year ago by West Side state Sen. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, would amend the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act to allow residents to sue facility owners over claims of retaliation for at least two months’ rent and attorney fees, plus statutory damages.

Seventeen more senators have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, but advocates worry Illinois Senate President Don Harmon could let the legislative clock expire on it under pressure from a nursing home industry trade group that opposes the bill — and that has made massive financial contributions to Harmon’s political operation.

Opponents Claim Bill Would Lead to Meritless Lawsuits

The Health Care Council of Illinois argues laws on the books are sufficient, and that Senate Bill 3559 would prompt a flurry of meritless lawsuits and new legal costs that would end up harming “the very individuals it seeks to protect.”

The bill will die if it’s not passed by the end of the veto session Jan. 7, before a new General Assembly is inaugurated.

Advocates Call for Action

“At some point, our legislators are going to stop protecting a profit-making business that’s violating the laws and refusing to actually take care of people,” said Fran Tobin, coordinator of the Alliance for Community Services, a coalition of labor groups that advocate for seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities.

Senate President Harmon Remains Silent

Harmon, the Oak Park Democrat who can make or break legislation in the Senate, hasn’t weighed in on the bill.

“I have met with proponents of this measure several times,” Harmon said in a statement. “We’re still working on some sticking points and hope to come to an agreement that is suitable for everyone involved. This is a complex issue, and it’s always better to take the time necessary to produce a good bill.”

Conclusion

The Illinois Senate President’s decision to stall a bill aimed at preventing retaliation against nursing home residents has left advocates for the residents reeling. Despite the bill’s support from 17 co-sponsors, Harmon’s silence on the issue has raised concerns that his office is prioritizing the interests of the nursing home industry over those of the residents. As lawmakers return to Springfield next month, the fate of the bill and the well-being of nursing home residents hang in the balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of Senate Bill 3559?
A: The bill aims to amend the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act to allow residents to sue facility owners over claims of retaliation for at least two months’ rent and attorney fees, plus statutory damages.

Q: What is the Health Care Council of Illinois’s stance on the bill?
A: The council opposes the bill, arguing it would prompt a flurry of meritless lawsuits and new legal costs that would harm the very individuals it seeks to protect.

Q: How much has the Health Care Council of Illinois donated to Don Harmon’s political operation?
A: The council has given over $2 million to Harmon’s political operation since he was elected Senate president in 2020.

Q: What is the fate of Senate Bill 3559?
A: The bill will die if it’s not passed by the end of the veto session Jan. 7, before a new General Assembly is inaugurated.