CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- A task force is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the state's long-term care system to address violence in Illinois nursing homes.
Gov. Pat Quinn's task force on nursing home safety issued its final report Friday.
Its 37 recommendations include requirements for higher fees and fines for nursing homes and increased staffing.
Quinn says he'll evaluate the report and work with others to implement the reforms.
The report repeatedly calls for expansion of community-based services and supportive housing for the mentally ill. Nursing homes caring for people with serious mental illness would be required to get special certification.
The report places blame for violence on the state's "over-reliance on nursing homes" to house the mentally ill after closures of state mental institutions.
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On the Net: http://www2.illinois.gov/nursinghomesafety
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