Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed two pieces of legislation giving seniors and the disabled greater access to people who can address complaints about their care or their living conditions.
One of the measures allows people with complaints about nursing homes to submit them electronically to the Illinois Department of Public Health. That takes effect immediately.
Another expands the The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program which is designed to help people living in nursing homes. Monday's signing expands ombudsman rights and protections to people in community-based care. It takes effect Jan. 1.
Online: Complaint form: http://www.idph.state.il.us/pdf/CCR_ComplaintForm_Fields.pdf
