During Sweep of Two Chicago Nursing Homes, Authorities Find 20 Patients with Outstanding Warrants
20 Illinois nursing home residents with outstanding arrest warrants were identified today during a sweep of two nursing homes in the Chicago area. Charges against them ranged from indecent exposure to assault to domestic battery. This was the second sweep conducted by authorities within the last five weeks. The raids occurred at Kenwood Healthcare Center and Rainbow Beach Care Center, which are located on Chicago’s South Side.
These raids were at the behest of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s office and Chicago police, in addition to approximately 25 federal marshals, took part in the sweep.
8 people were arrested. Two of the nursing home patients identified were too sick to leave the nursing homes. Nine of the warrants could not be enforced right away because they were issued in other jurisdictions. Police are looking for one fugitive who was not at the nursing home when the raid took place.
State officials and nursing home advocates continue to be concerned about whether Illinois nursing homes can be safe for residents when there are so many younger, mentally ill patients, some of them with felony criminal records, living among the general population in numerous assisted living facilities. As of last month, 3,326 of the approximately 92,225 Illinois nursing home residents were felons.
This dangerous segment of the nursing home patients are a threat to other assisted living patients, especially the older, frailer ones. Some nursing home residents have already become the victims of assault crimes, sexual harassment or assault crimes, and even murder.
Illinois nursing homes are supposed to keep patients with violent tendencies away from the general population and protect them from becoming a danger to themselves or others. You do have the right to sue for Chicago nursing home negligence if you believe that carelessness, neglect, recklessness, nursing home abuse, or inadequate nursing care contributed to your loved one becoming the victim of nursing home violence.
More nursing homes swept for residents wanted in warrants, Chicago Breaking News, January 26, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General
