Worst Nursing Homes in Illinois

Despite oversight efforts, a significant number of facilities continue to rank among the worst nursing homes in Illinois, raising serious concerns about resident safety and quality of care. 

Illinois has over 700 nursing homes, accommodating approximately 66,600 residents. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulate these facilities and conduct regular inspections to assess compliance with federal and state regulations.​

Still, a significant number of Illinois nursing homes have been identified as underperforming. 

As of the latest reports, CMS has designated 105 facilities in the state as current or former Special Focus Facilities (SFFs), indicating a history of serious quality issues. These designations are based on factors such as health inspection reports, staffing levels, and quality measures.​

For families seeking reliable care for their family members, it’s crucial to review nursing home ratings and inspection reports. Resources like the Medicare Care Compare tool provide detailed information on facility performance, helping Illinois residents make informed decisions about long-term care options.​

If you’re concerned about the quality of your family member’s skilled nursing facility, contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago to explore your legal options. 

The Medicare Nursing Home Compare Tool

The CMS nursing home compare tool identifies potential nursing home problems, including quality measures, staffing availability, and health inspections. It is available on the Medicare website and allows people to compare up to three nursing homes simultaneously.

The data is valuable for those who are either searching for a nursing home for a family member or are worried about the standard of care at a specific facility. The federal government routinely refreshes this comparison tool with findings from state agency inspections. 

This tool allows users to read summaries of each nursing home, assess the quality of healthcare offered, and compare one facility against others.

The comparison tool is crucial for anyone seeking a nursing home or aiming to guarantee that their loved one is receiving high-quality care. By utilizing this tool, people can make well-informed choices about which facility best suits their requirements.

Illinois Department of Public Health Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) plays a central role in regulating long-term care across the state. By monitoring licensed facilities and reviewing reported outcomes, IDPH helps protect nursing home residents and guide families seeking safe, high-quality care. 

Through regular inspections, documentation reviews, and complaint investigations, the agency enforces compliance with both federal and state laws.

Resident Care

IDPH oversees every licensed care center in Illinois to help families choose safe options for an aging family member. Each facility is evaluated on compliance metrics. These checks help protect nursing home residents’ well-being and hold facilities accountable for the care they provide.

Resident Surveys

Resident surveys are a key part of IDPHR’s review process. These surveys capture direct feedback from individuals living in the facility, giving insight into their comfort, dignity, and quality of daily life. This information is reviewed alongside other inspection data to determine whether a nursing home is meeting the basic standards expected by both federal and state regulations.

Facility Monitoring

Facilities with persistent issues may be included among monitoring programs that require more scrutiny. IDPHR uses quarterly reports, in-person visits, and survey responses to track trends in care quality. When repeated violations occur, those homes may appear on public watchlists, making it easier for families to avoid poorly rated options.

Worst Illinois Nursing Homes per the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program to identify the worst Illinois nursing homes based on poor inspection histories and repeated violations. These include skilled nursing facilities and nursing rehab centers with a high risk of resident harm.

Each SFF-designated health care center is flagged for failing to meet care standards and is placed under heightened federal and state oversight. The worst nursing homes face more frequent inspections and must improve conditions to keep Medicare and Medicaid funding.

While the goal is to improve care, many SFF facilities continue to struggle. If your family member is living in one of these homes, especially in areas like Chicago, IL, it may be time to review safer options.

Our legal team tracks senior rehab center ratings and violations to help families identify the worst nursing facilities and protect loved ones from harm.

Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) Facilities with a Persistent Record of Substandard Care   

Below is a curated list of Illinois’ worst nursing homes based on poor skilled nursing facility ratings and serious care concerns. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has flagged these facilities and withheld a rating due to inadequate care.  It is important to note that ratings can change as new or updated information becomes available.

Each of these Illinois nursing homes received poor ratings—or had ratings withheld entirely—because of substandard performance and repeated violations:

Elevate Care Country Club Hills

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

This nursing home has been cited for multiple deficiencies, including failure to protect residents from abuse and lack of adequate supervision, resulting in injuries.

Violations:

• Residents left unsupervised, resulting in fall-related injuries
• Care not aligned with physician instructions or individual preferences
• Failure to prevent physical, emotional, or sexual harm

Note: Elevate Care operates multiple nursing homes and rehab centers across Illinois. If your loved one resides at a different Elevate Care Center, they may face similar quality concerns.

Alden Lakeland Rehab & Health Care Center

Medicare Rating: 1 Star 

The skilled nursing home’s history of regulatory violations and insufficient staff has directly impacted the standard of care provided.

Violations:

• Unsanitary facility conditions
• Not enough staff to provide basic care
• Care plans are not properly followed

Note: Alden operates a network of skilled nursing facilities throughout the state. Other Alden health care locations have also faced repeated citations related to staffing and compliance with each resident’s care plan.

Lakeview Rehab & Nursing Center

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

This rehab center and nursing home have been cited for multiple deficiencies, including failure to implement fall prevention measures and significant medication errors.​

Violations:

• Lapses in monitoring led to preventable falls
• Missed intravenous treatments ordered by doctors
• Staff failed to carry out individualized care plans

Note: Lakeview is part of a broader group of Illinois rehab centers and nursing homes. Families considering these facilities should request inspection records and review recent reports before placement.

Lena Living Center

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

This healthcare center has a documented pattern of neglect, with violations related to medication errors and insufficient measures to prevent resident falls.

Violations:

• Lacked supervision for fall-prone residents
• Critical medications not administered as prescribed
• Deviations from structured care plans

Note: This health care facility is affiliated with a larger system of skilled nursing homes. Many of these locations have struggled to meet safety standards and maintain required staffing ratios consistently.

Gilman Healthcare Center

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

This nursing home has repeatedly failed health inspections and been cited for inadequate staffing, which results in poor-quality care for residents.

Violations:

• Failed to maintain basic cleanliness
• Staffing levels are too low to meet demand
• Regular neglect in resident-specific care​

Note: Gilman operates as part of a statewide network of rehab centers and health care providers. Similar issues with staffing and oversight have appeared at other nursing homes under the same management.

​Aperion Care Forest Park

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

Health inspections revealed multiple violations at this healthcare center, including unsafe medication practices and a failure to protect residents from falls.

Violations:

• Improper wound management, leading to pressure sores
• Medication handling errors
• Poor infection control practices

Note: Aperion Care runs several Illinois nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Prospective residents should carefully evaluate any care center within this franchise for past health violations.

​Norridge Gardens

Medicare Rating: 1 Star

This nursing home has a history of health code violations and reports of substandard resident care.​

Violations:

• Facility conditions posed health and safety risks
• Chronic understaffing impacted service delivery
• Resident health concerns were not adequately addressed

Note: Norridge Gardens belongs to a broader system of nursing homes and rehab centers in Illinois. Before choosing an affiliated health care provider, it is highly recommended that you review facility ratings and CMS reports.

If you’re researching quality care options for a loved one, the U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes in Illinois is a trusted resource. Their evaluations consider critical factors like health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, offering a reliable starting point for families seeking reputable nursing homes.

The Risks of Choosing a One-Star-Rated Nursing Home in Illinois

Illinois nursing homes with a one-star rating often fail federal and state regulations, putting nursing home residents at risk. These low healthcare center ratings reflect repeated violations found in health inspections, lack of proper oversight, and inadequate health care services.

Resident Safety Is Often Compromised

Poor inspection results show failures in resident safety in many Illinois nursing homes, including unsanitary conditions, ignored care plans, and delayed medical treatment. These risks threaten the health of vulnerable Illinois residents, especially those in skilled nursing environments.

Understaffed Nursing Homes Struggle to Meet Basic Care Needs

Understaffed nursing homes often can’t provide reliable support for daily tasks like bathing or eating. Too few staff members result in long delays for essential care, leading to poor outcomes in both rehab centers and long-term facilities.

Increased Risk of Abuse and Neglect

Low-rated nursing facilities have higher rates of nursing home abuse, including physical harm, financial abuse, and emotional mistreatment. 

These failures in abuse and neglect often appear in health inspection reports and may go unaddressed without oversight from the Illinois Department of Public Health. These patterns usually go unchecked without direct oversight or legal action for nursing home abuse.

How Poor Care Leads to Costly Consequences

Facilities ranked among the worst nursing homes in Illinois may face fines and lawsuits. These consequences affect families through surprise bills, relocation stress, or worsened medical conditions. 

Always check nursing home ratings and recent health inspections before choosing a nursing home, health care center, or nursing rehab center in Chicago, IL.

Abuse and Neglect of Nursing Homes Residents in the Worst Nursing Homes in Illinois

Some of the worst nursing homes in Illinois—including several nursing rehab centers, health care centers, and rehabilitation centers—have been cited for ongoing patterns of nursing home abuse, neglect, and serious violations. These issues put nursing home residents at risk and often reflect deeper systemic problems within Illinois nursing homes.

Ignored Medical Needs and Poor Treatment:

• Staff failing to follow the resident’s care plan which can cause rapid health decline
• Delays responding to patient calls, leaving residents in pain or distress
• Overmedication or missed medications that lead to avoidable health complications
• Infrequent bedding changes that result in irritation or infection

Neglect of Basic Needs and Hygiene:

• Residents left without adequate food or water, leading to malnutrition and dehydration
• Lack of bathing or grooming, contributing to skin problems and odor
• Pest or rodent infestations that cause bites or infections

Unsafe Conditions and Preventable Injuries:

• Failure to use lifting equipment, resulting in preventable falls and head injury
• Spills left unattended, causing slip-and-fall accidents
• Inadequate monitoring that leads to bedsores and other complications

Abuse and Mistreatment:

• Physical or sexual assault by staff members—the most egregious form of abuse and neglect

Families searching for a safe facility in Chicago, IL, or elsewhere in the state should carefully evaluate healthcare center ratings and health inspection reports. 

Holding Nursing Homes and Staff Financially Accountable

Filing a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit can be complex and time-consuming. It involves multiple phases that affect the length of the process. Working with experienced nursing home neglect attorneys can help families navigate this legal process efficiently.

Key phases in a nursing home lawsuit include: 

• Evidence Gathering: Collecting medical records, witness statements, and documentation (may take months).
• Medical Treatment: Ongoing care impacts the timeline; records support injury claims.
• Willingness to Settle: Some facilities settle quickly, while others may delay by going to court.
• Legal Review: Initial investigation to assess liability may add weeks or months.
• Facility Interviews: Attorneys may interview staff or inspect the facility to build the case.
• Settlement Talks: Negotiations can begin after filing; duration depends on the case’s complexity.
• Trial: If no agreement is reached, trial prep and proceedings can take months or longer.
• Appeals: A verdict can be challenged, extending the case by a year or more.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can pursue immediate legal action to hold negligent Illinois nursing homes accountable, especially those with repeated violations or ongoing reports of nursing home abuse.

Legal Action Against Illinois’ Worst Nursing Homes

If your family member has suffered nursing home abuse, it’s important to take legal action. Our Chicago elder abuse attorneys represent victims in some of Illinois’ worst nursing homes, including those housed in a rehabilitation center. We help families pursue justice against nursing homes that fail to provide proper care.

With extensive experience handling complex elder abuse claims, our legal team knows how to hold facilities accountable. If you’re concerned about conditions or treatment at a healthcare center or rehabilitation facility in Illinois, speak with us to understand your legal options.

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or through our online form to book a free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.