SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Evenglow Lodge $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to ensure emergency exit doors are free of obstructions. The 214-bed intermediate and sheltered care facility is located at 215 E. Washington in Pontiac.

As part of a special licensure inspection, Department surveyors found three of five designated first floor emergency exits blocked by drifted snow. A surveyor was only able to open one of the doors about two feet because of accumulated snow. The doors serve as emergency exits for 70 residents on the first and second floors of the facility's health center.

A facility staff member responsible for snow removal told a surveyor he never shoveled the sidewalks leading up to the exits because they were not used. State fire safety code requires that exits be readily accessible at all times.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure emergency exits are free of obstructions or impediments.

Evenglow Lodge has requested hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.