SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Benjamin Green-Field Residence $15,000 (Statement of Violation), for failure to follow proper procedures in reporting incidents of alleged abuse and to immediately take steps to protect its residents. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at Interstate 94 and Route 176 in Libertyville.

Department surveyors found the facility failed to notify the families or guardians of two residents who were allegedly abused or to inform the Department of these incidents as required by state law. The allegations also were not immediately reported to the facility administrator, because the employee who witnessed the incidents was afraid she might get into trouble.

On one occasion, an employee reportedly yelled at and threatened a resident. A few days later, the employee was seen pulling and pushing another resident down and shouting at him when he tried to stand up.

Other incidents involved an employee who allegedly yelled at a resident because she was not ready on time and told the resident she could not go to anymore dances. The same resident said another employee threatened to throw her food away if she did not come out of her room. The facility did not immediately remove the employees suspected of abuse from resident care during investigations as required by state law.

The facility's administration explained that it was not their usual practice to reassign or remove staff from duty while an investigation was underway.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review and revise its policies regarding abuse allegations and guardian notification, and to train its employees on recognizing and reporting abuse.

Benjamin Green-Field Residence has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.