April 17, 1998

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Uptown Shelter Care Home has been fined $5,000 by the Illinois Department of Public Health for installing dead bolt locks on emergency exits. The 52-bed sheltered care facility is located at 4646 N. Beacon in Chicago.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors found all exits on the facility's main level had dead bolt locks that could not be easily unlocked and opened with one hand as required by state law. According to a facility employee, the locks were recently installed because residents kept breaking the emergency locks.

As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the Department ordered the facility to install locks that can be easily opened in case of an emergency.

Uptown Shelter Care Home has requested a hearing on the Department's action. A hearing has been scheduled for June 23-24 in Chicago.

Last fall, the Department moved to revoke the nursing home license of Uptown Shelter Care Home for repeatedly failing to offer activities for residents and provide safe and sanitary conditions. A hearing on the Department's revocation action has been scheduled for June 2-3 in Chicago.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments