Task force to address safety in Ill. nursing homes

A task force looking into alleged assaults, rapes and murders in Illinois nursing homes plans to make recommendations to Gov. Pat Quinn by the end of January.

The group met for the first time Thursday, with a half-dozen state agencies participating by videoconference from Chicago and Springfield.

An Associated Press analysis found Illinois ranks highest in the nation in the number of mentally ill adults under age 65 living in nursing homes. The Chicago Tribune recently examined how violent convicted felons living in nursing homes put frail elderly at risk.

Michael Gelder is Quinn's senior health adviser and is leading the task force. He says the governor has asked each agency involved to devote its full resources to improving nursing home safety.