SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Cornerstone Home has been fined $20,000 (Statement of Violation - PDF) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failing to protect its residents from physical abuse by another resident. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 1009 S. Irving St. in Monticello.

During an annual inspection, Department surveyors learned that for seven months a resident had been hitting, pinching, biting, spitting, chasing, and throwing rocks and other objects at residents. The facility, however, was not able to identify the residents who were the targets of the behavior or document they had been checked for injuries.

And despite numerous incidents of aggression and property destruction, the facility neglected to implement policies to protect other residents and staff from abuse until recently when the perpetrator showed a noticeable escalation of irritability and agitation.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review and revise, if necessary, its policies on the detection and prevention of abuse and neglect, to ensure staff is aware of their job duties in caring and supervising for staff, and to train staff on appropriate interventions to protect residents from an aggressive resident.

The Cornerstone Home has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.