New Laws Improve Procedures for Reporting and Resolving Problems with Individuals in Nursing Homes or Community Settings

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws that protect vulnerable adults and senior citizens across Illinois. The new laws improve procedures for reporting and resolving problems with individuals in nursing homes or community settings. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve safety, care and quality of life for Illinois' senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

"Protecting our most vulnerable family members is one of the most important duties we have," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will help ensure that our older adults and individuals with disabilities receive the highest quality of care no matter where they choose to live."

"The health and safety of our loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities is one of our top priorities," Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "New means of accepting and compiling complaints about a nursing facility will help the Department better identify new ways to investigate and substantiate anonymous complaints, ultimately helping to ensure quality care for residents."

"The law to expand the authority of the long-term care ombudsman will make sure that older adults and persons with disabilities ages 18 to 59 who live in a community setting and receive medical assistance waiver services and managed care services receive the same advocacy rights and quality of life protections as people who reside in nursing homes around the state," Department on Aging Director John K. Holton said. "Furthermore, this law now allows for ombudsman to have unrestricted private communication with any consenting resident without the additional consent of a legal guardian."

House Bill 5703, sponsored by State Representative Michael Unes (R-Pekin) and State Senator Julie A. Morrison (D-Deerfield), allows complaints about a nursing home or long-term care facility to be submitted electronically to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). It also requires that complainant questions be provided on the IDPH website, along with notification that complaints made with less information are far more difficult to respond to and investigate. IDPH will annually review the complaint process and produce reports for long-term care advisory boards and councils, who can provide suggestions on how to investigate and substantiate anonymous complaints while eliminating frivolous ones. HB 5703 takes effect immediately.

"These are common sense reforms that allow for a better complaint and response process," Representative Unes said. "This will make for a more fair procedure to investigate complaints and provide for facilities to better understand the complaints made with Public Health."

Senate Bill 798, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana), expands the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to include advocacy for individuals in the Adult Protective Services program. The new law also allows ombudsmen more open access to individuals living in community-based settings and allows the ombudsman to report any business-related offense directly to the Attorney General or the county state's attorney. The new law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"This law expands the long-term care ombudsman program, enhancing its capabilities, reach and coordination with other agencies," Senator Steans said. "It's good news for senior citizens and families navigating the often confusing world of long-term care, and it's an essential part of Illinois' ongoing nursing home reforms."

"With this new law, the ombudsmen will be able to have direct contact with our citizens living in community-based settings," Representative Jakobsson said. "That direct contact will enable the ombudsmen to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves."

Governor Quinn also today signed Senate Bill 2958, sponsored by Senator Steans and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), which creates a three-year pilot program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to administer medication in a limited setting under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This will help fill the immediate need for more healthcare professionals created by the Affordable Care Act. The law is effective immediately.

In 2013, Governor Quinn signed legislation to create the state's first-ever Adult Protective Services Unit to ensure that every allegation made by those who are elderly or disabled is thoroughly investigated. The Governor has increased eligibility levels for households to qualify for programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Illinois home Weatherization Assistance Program for those who need assistance paying heating bills during winter months, with a priority given to households containing elderly members, persons with a disability or young children.

The elderly are often the targets of financial exploitation. Over the years, Governor Quinn has signed legislation that strengthens training standards for employees of financial institutions who have direct contact with customers, increased the penalties for financial exploitation of the elderly or those who are disabled, and for the Illinois Department on Aging to receive reports of elder abuse or neglect from senior service providers via the internet. He also signed legislation allowing the state to freeze a defendant's assets if he or she is charged with financial exploitation of the elderly, giving law enforcement a chance to obtain reports of elder abuse or neglect.

Governor Quinn issued an executive order to strengthen protections for adults with disabilities who are suspected victims of mistreatment in state-operated facilities and to ensure that potential cases be properly reviewed and referred to the appropriate authorities.

The Governor has proclaimed July "Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Illinois" every year since 2009.

Forty State Police Troopers Will Join CPD Officers Following Mayor Emanuel's Request for Assistance

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today directed the Illinois State Police to deploy 40 state troopers to join Chicago Police officers in patrolling four city neighborhoods. The action follows the city's request for assistance and is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of all people in every community across Illinois.

"The state of Illinois will do whatever is necessary to protect public safety - in Chicago and every community across Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Earlier this year I told Mayor Emanuel we would help in any way we could to combat violence in the city. When he requested assistance, I immediately agreed to help."

At the Governor's direction, the State Police will deploy troopers to areas coordinated with the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The State Police and CPD will set up 20 to 25 "surge" teams with five Chicago Police officers and two State Troopers on each team. The teams will focus on apprehending those with known violent criminal histories who are wanted by law enforcement. The troopers will come from State Police districts across the state. The assistance will be accommodated with current State Police resources.

State Police Colonel Michael Zerbonia will coordinate the effort. Zerbonia is chief of operations for the State Police and has more than 30 years of military service. He joined the Illinois National Guard in 1991 after three years as an air defense artillery officer, served in Iraq from June 2005 to June 2006 and was deputy brigade commander for the Polish 12th Mechanized Brigade in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Brigadier General within the Illinois National Guard in February 2014 and currently serves as Illinois Army National Guard Land Forces Component Commander.

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Directs State Agencies to Redouble Efforts to Protect Public and Workers

Encourages Public to Increase Vigilance Following I-55 Tragedy

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today directed the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to explore additional highway safety measures in the wake of last week's tragedy that claimed five lives in an Interstate 55 work zone near Channahon. The Governor also urged the public to do their part to help crack down on reckless and inattentive driving in work zones throughout Illinois.

"I was deeply saddened and alarmed by the senseless tragedy on I-55 last week," Governor Quinn said. "Our state police and construction workers are performing dangerous jobs in work zones, and we must take every step necessary to protect them and all drivers. I am directing the state's agencies take any additional steps necessary to further improve the extensive safety measures that are in place so that inattentive or reckless drivers do not cause more harm."

At the Des Plaines River bridge project over I-55, the site of last week's accident, IDOT has installed rumble strips approaching the work zone. In conjunction with the Tollway and Illinois State Police, IDOT has developed public service announcements that utilize the overhead message boards on state highways to encourage motorists to stay vigilant and notify law enforcement if they spot dangerous drivers. Finally, even more Illinois State Police troopers have been added to the patrols around the I-55 work zone.

These new safety measures build upon strong protections already in place at the I-55 work zone, including extended work zone speed limits, speed indicator boards, extra Illinois State Police presence, signs alerting drivers of upcoming construction 20 miles from the project and a Smart Traffic Monitoring system to provide motorists real-time updates on travel times and backups.

State programs are also being expanded that allow state troopers to be hired by IDOT for special patrols in work zones. At the Des Plaines River bridge project, these additional patrols have resulted in more than 4,000 citations for speeding and nearly 300 for distracted driving.

Governor Quinn has directed the three state agencies to meet with federal agencies and industry partners about the recent accidents and to help prevent future crashes. The state continues to work with federal lawmakers to strengthen laws regarding continuous hours driven by truckers and to expand the use of electronic logs to track the number of hours they are on the road.

"We at IDOT remain committed to ensuring the protection of all workers and motorists in work zones - and we are redoubling our efforts in light of last week's horrific events on I-55," Acting Transportation Secretary Erica Borggren said. "While we have some of the nation's best safety measures for work zones, we must take this opportunity to see what more we can do. We also want to urge the public to help by paying attention to signs, staying off their handheld devices while driving and heeding to our ongoing message for work zone safety: See orange. Slow down. Save lives."

Speed and inattentiveness are major contributing factors to work-zone crashes. All motorists need to be especially careful when driving through work zones. Roadway conditions can change quickly and motorists need to be able to react appropriately. Traffic can be slowed down or stopped well outside of the actual work area. Narrowed and closed lanes, uneven pavement and heavy equipment operating next to lanes of traffic will require reductions in speed to ensure safe travel. Motorists are advised to remain alert for distracted and fatigued drivers and to notify authorities if they observe unsafe driving.

"We are committed to making construction work zones as safe as possible and urge drivers to slow down, stay alert and be prepared for changing conditions," Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "With the largest capital program in the history of the Illinois Tollway in full swing, we have also committed the funds necessary to increase the number of Illinois State Police District 15 troopers assigned to the Tollway to provide additional assistance in construction work zones and throughout the system."

"The traffic laws are clear and ISP troopers will be in these designated areas working to identify motorists who disobey work zone speed limits and other applicable laws," Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said. "We will continue to work hand in hand with our agency partners on a daily basis to continue to raise the awareness of road safety to reduce traffic crashes and prevent loss of life."

Under regulations that took effect in 2004, fines for speeding in work zones are $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders, regardless of the presence of workers. If workers are present, motorists can lose their driver's license for 90 days if they get a second violation. This year, speed-indicator boards are being deployed on all interstate projects with lane closures, after a significant reduction in work-zone speeds in areas where the boards were used under a pilot program last year.

Illinois averages more than 7,000 crashes in work zones every year. In 2013, there were 28 work zone-related fatalities, including one worker. In 2012, there were 19 fatal work zone crashes, involving fatalities to 13 drivers, three passengers and three pedestrians, two of which were construction workers. Last January, an Illinois Tollway maintenance worker died while attempting to help a semi-truck that was stalled on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88). An Illinois State Police Trooper was also critically injured. In 2013, another Trooper was killed in a tragic accident on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

Portion of Cicero Avenue Now Named for Late World Leader

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by state and local officials on what would have been Nelson Mandela's 96th birthday to unveil the newly-designated Mandela Road in Chicago. The stretch of Cicero Avenue from Roosevelt Road to West Grand Avenue will now also bear a designation in honor of the late South African President and world civil rights leader Nelson Mandela.

"Nelson Mandela was a hero of democracy and championed the struggle for basic human rights and dignity," Governor Quinn said. "Now, those traveling this state highway on Chicago's west side will be reminded of Mandela's lifelong journey that continues to have a profound effect on the world we live in today."

The Illinois General Assembly officially designated a portion of Cicero Avenue, also known as Illinois Route 50, as Mandela Road in House Joint Resolution 89, which was sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) and State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is erecting signs in honor of the designation at a series of intersections along Cicero Avenue. Residents and businesses along the route will retain their official Cicero Avenue addresses.

Mandela Road joins other honorary Chicago street designations including those named for Emmett Till, Studs Terkel, Harold Washington, Mother Theresa and Michael Krzyzewski or "Coach K."

Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918 and, after studying law, became active in the African National Congress (ANC) and other organizations that opposed colonial rule and apartheid politics. Following numerous arrests in the 1950s and early 60s for anti-government activities, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1962 and served 27 years before an international lobbying effort helped secure his 1990 release.

Mandela and others negotiated with South African President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and hold elections in 1994 that were open to all South Africans. In those elections Mandela led the ANC to victory and became South Africa's first black president, serving until 1999. His government dismantled the apartheid legacy and tackled institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality. After leaving government, Mandela focused on combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He died December 5, 2013 and his funeral was attended by more than 100 world leaders and tens of thousands of mourners.