After months of trips to Illinois's capitol to talk with legislators, hearings and negotiations, the nursing reform legislation SEIU Healthcare Illinois nursing home members and their allies fought so hard for was signed into law by Governor Quinn on July 29th. This is a great first step in our fight for quality long term care!

As frontline caregivers, SEIU Healthcare Illinois nursing home members see first-hand the effects of Illinois' broken long-term care system--low wages, low staffing levels and poor delivery of care for some of our state's most vulnerable.

On Thursday, in a room filled with advocates, the media and elected officials, Governor Quinn signed SB 326, legislation that enacts real reforms and begins to address the poor conditions IL caregivers see in their nursing homes every day. The new legislation also includes provisions aimed at ending chronic violence in nursing home facilities. More at the Chicago Tribune here.

As these important reforms move forward, we know that there are more improvements to be made and issues that still need to be addressed. That's why SEIU Healthcare Illinois members are committed to working with AARP, Illinois Citizens for Better Care, Next Steps and many other advocates and the IL legislature to continue this movement for real change in our state's nursing homes.

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