On May 6, Illinois state lawmakers passed a nursing home reform bill, 118-0, that will increase the number of state checks on nursing homes as well create more strict safety guidelines.

“Far too often, nursing home residents are subjected to violence at the hands of other residents and abuse and neglect at the hands of those entrusted to care for them,” Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.

“It is the state’s obligation to address these failings and ensure that nursing homes provide safe and therapeutic environments for their residents,” she said.

“Nursing home residents and their families depend on the state to ensure that vulnerable adults are treated with care, compassion and dignity,” added Madigan.

The new mandated checks will be unannounced and random.

Elderly abuse is despicable and those who take advangate of their position in nursing homes need to be held to account. If you or someone you love has been the victim of elderly abuse, contact the New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 as soon as possible.