Good morning, and thank you for your continued support of this community and statewide reform effort. As we continue to push for verifiable, lasting change, here are some questions we're asking:

1. In 2022, IDPH placed Albany Care on a Level 5 restricted license. According to reporting that year by the Daily Northwestern, “that rating indicates substantial risk of death or serious physical or mental harm to a consumer.” During that restriction, two Albany Care residents died: One on 7/9/22 of undisclosed causes, the second of a drug overdose on 9/6/22. If the restriction was placed as part of an effort to prevent this type of outcome, and these deaths occurred during the period of restriction, why was the restriction lifted?


2. Will the state release complete records pertaining to the decision to lift the Level 5 restriction in 2022?

3. On 5/27/23, a resident of Albany Care died. According to the Evanston Police Department’s investigation report, this resident weighed 74 pounds at the time of death, and had weighed 83 pounds on 5/4/2023. What if any investigation did the state conduct into this death? What are the protocols at SMHRFs for escalating care when there are concerns regarding deteriorating health?


4. On 6/12/23, an Albany Care resident died after being discovered unresponsive in the facility on 6/2/23, less than a week after the death on 5/27. According to the Evanston Police Department’s death investigation, the manner of death was determined to be accidental cocaine toxicity. What if any investigation did the state conduct into this death?


5. According to reporting this week by the Evanston RoundTable, the death of an Albany Care resident in March 2025 triggered the current Level 5 restriction. Why wasn’t a Level 5 restriction triggered by the deaths detailed above?
 
6. 
In October 2023, as reported by the Evanston RoundTable, a resident of Albany Care sexually assaulted another resident within the facility, and attempted to assault a second resident. What steps did management and/or state officials take to address potential security concerns in the wake of this assault?


7. On July 9th, 2025, the Chicago Tribune published a story by Robert McCoppin citing the 47th place national ranking of Illinois long-term care facilities. On July 18th, 2025, the Tribune published a piece by Rebecca Johnson detailing serious violations by Chicago-area nursing homes. As part of her reporting, Johnson spoke with Sam Brooks, Director of Public Policy at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care," an advocacy group that seeks to improve the care and safety of  long-term care residents. Johnson writes that, "in Brooks’ experience, nursing home operators often view fines as the 'cost of doing business.'" 

While SMHRFs like Albany Care are not classified as nursing homes, they are both subject to regulatory oversight by the state as long-term care facilities. Will this coverage lead to significant changes in that oversight, including revisions to state regulations?

8. When IDPH fines long-term care facilities, where does the money go? 

According to IDPH, "all penalty monies collected on violations of state standards are deposited into a special fund used by IDPH to monitor health care facilities that violate licensure standards and in which the owner or operator is unable or unwilling to make necessary corrections. The Long Term Care Monitor and Receivership Fund allows the Department to monitor facilities not in compliance with licensure standards and to safeguard facility patients or residents whether or not the owner is cooperative."

These questions raise more questions. Thank you for helping us demand answers. And thank you for your continued partnership as we seek to improve the care and quality of life of some of our city and state's most vulnerable community members.