Illinois has approximately 1,200 long-term care facilities serving more than 100,000 residents, from the young to the elderly. These facilities are licensed, regulated and inspected at least annually by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Department also assists the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with certifying these facilities for participation in federal payment reimbursement programs.

The Department’s Bureau of Long-term Care is responsible for making sure nursing homes comply with the provisions of the state Nursing Home Care Act. In addition, under a cooperative agreement with CMS, the Department conducts certification surveys to ensure facilities receiving Medicaid (state) or Medicare (federal) money for resident payment abide by applicable federal regulations.

Each year, Department surveyors conduct about 10,000 surveys, including annual licensure inspections, complaint investigations and reinspections. The Department’s 24-hour a day Nursing Home Hotline (800-252-4343) receives nearly 19,000 calls and, as a result, staff respond to more than 5,000 complaints.

Who Regulates Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes in Illinois are licensed, regulated, inspected and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels, including the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). These agencies have separate -- yet sometimes overlapping -- jurisdictions.

A Listing of Illinois Nursing Homes

This listing of nursing homes by county provides the address, name of the administrator, the type of payment accepted, the number of beds and type of license classification (e.g., sheltered, intermediate, skilled), and ownership information for each facility.

How to Select a Nursing Home

When a person can no longer live independently, a decision must be made about the best alternative arrangement for care. Such a decision often must be made during a time of crisis, frequently when the person is ready to leave the hospital after a serious illness or operation. This booklet serves as a guide for those faced with the test of selecting an appropriate care setting for a person who no longer is able to live independently.

CMS Nursing Home Database

This database provides information about the performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Illinois based on the most recent state inspection. The database also contains information reported by the nursing homes prior to the last state inspection, including nursing home and resident characteristics.

Quarterly Reports of Nursing Home Violation

This report contains a listing of disciplinary action initiated by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last quarter against facilities that have been determined to be in violation of the Nursing Home Care Act, or have been recommended for decertification to the Illinois Department of Public Aid or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Illinois Law on Advance Directives

You have a right to make decisions about the health care you receive now and in the future. An advance directive is a written statement about how you want medical decisions made when you can no longer make them. Illinois has three advance directives: health care power of attorney, living will and mental health treatment preference declaration. Read more about advance directives and access the forms you need to fill out for each.

Nursing Homes with No Certification Deficiencies

No deficiencies were identified at these facilities during their most recent annual Medicare/Medicaid certification survey.

Illinois Nurse Aide Registry