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Illinois Long-Term Care Council
The Illinois Act on Aging (20 ILCS 105/4.04a) mandates that there be an Illinois Long-Term Care Council to ensure that individuals residing in facilities licensed or regulated under the Nursing Home Care Act, Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Facilities Code, Sheltered Care Facilities Code, and the Illinois Veterans' Homes Code receive high quality long-term care.
Responsibilities
The Illinois Long-Term Care Council is mandated to:
make recommendations and comment on issues pertaining to long-term care and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to the Illinois Department on Aging
advise the Department on matters pertaining to the quality of life and quality of care in the continuum of long-term care
evaluate, comment and make recommendations on the quality of life and quality of care in long-term care facilities, as well as the duties and responsibilities of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
prepare and circulate an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and other interested parties concerning the duties and accomplishments of the Illinois Long-Term Care Council and other related matters pertaining to long-term care and the protection of residents' rights
provide an opportunity for public input at each scheduled meeting
make recommendations to the Director, upon his or her request, as to individuals who are capable of serving as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and who should make appropriate application for that position should it become vacant.
Reports
The Illinois Department on Aging is mandated to consider and act in good faith regarding the Illinois Long-Term Care Council's annual report and its recommendations.
By-Laws
Members
The Council consists of at 18 to 25 members concerned about the quality of life in long-term care facilities and protecting the rights of residents, including members from long-term care facilities. Each member serves a 4-year term and may be reappointed to an additional term, but no more than 2 consecutive terms are allowed.
Membership Composition:
All members shall be individuals who have demonstrated concern about the quality of life in long-term care facilities.
A minimum of 3 members must be current or former residents of long-term care facilities or the family member of a current or former resident of a long-term care facility.
A minimum of 2 members shall represent current or former long-term care facility resident councils or family councils.
A minimum of 4 members shall be selected from recommendations by organizations whose members consist of long-term care facilities.
A representative of long-term care facility employees must also be included as a member.
A minimum of 2 members shall be selected from recommendations of membership-based senior advocacy groups or consumer organizations that engage solely in legal representation on behalf of residents and immediate families.
There shall be non-voting State agency members on the Long-Term Care Council from the following agencies:
the Department of Veterans' Affairs;
the Department of Human Services;
the Department of Public Health;
the Department on Aging;
the Department of Human Services;
the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and
others as appropriate.
The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman shall be a permanent member of the Council.
