25 Frequently Cited Nursing Homes in the Chicago Area

Nursing homes serve as vital care facilities for elderly and disabled individuals who require daily assistance. However, not all facilities uphold the highest standards of care. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), many nursing homes across the country, including in the Chicago area, have been cited for violations related to patient neglect, abuse, and inadequate medical care.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CMS routinely conduct inspections of nursing homes and track citations for violations. These violations range from minor infractions to severe cases of neglect that put residents at risk. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in nursing homes across the state. As the primary regulatory agency overseeing long-term care facilities, IDPH conducts regular inspections, investigates complaints, and enforces state and federal regulations to hold facilities accountable. Without IDPH’s oversight, violations such as neglect, abuse, and inadequate medical care could go unchecked in nursing homes, leading to devastating consequences for vulnerable residents.

IDPH’s efforts are essential because nursing home violations are unfortunately common. Many families entrust their loved ones to these facilities, expecting a high standard of care. However, repeated citations for poor hygiene, medication mismanagement, and lack of supervision highlight the persistent challenges in ensuring nursing home residents receive proper treatment. By tracking IDPH’s reports and public records, families can make informed decisions and advocate for better care in Illinois nursing homes.

25 Frequently Cited Nursing Homes in the Chicago Area

This list is based on the most recent reports from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), specifically the Fourth Quarter Report of Nursing Home Violations for 2024, published on February 13, 2025. Additionally, the Third Quarter Report of Nursing Home Violations for 2024, released on December 17, 2024, was also reviewed. These quarterly reports provide the most up-to-date information on nursing home violations in Illinois, ensuring that families have access to current data when making decisions about long-term care facilities.

Using data from IDPH and CMS, the following nursing homes have received the highest number of citations for violations in recent years:

1. Symphony of Chicago West

• Number of Reports: 12 in the past year
• Incident Details: Reports of chronic understaffing leading to resident neglect, with several cases of patients developing severe bedsores due to lack of repositioning and care.
• Location: West Chicago, IL
• Common Violations: Understaffing, failure to prevent bedsores, medication errors

2. Alden Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

• Number of Reports: 15 in the past year
• Incident Details: Multiple complaints of insufficient supervision, including an incident where a resident with dementia wandered off the premises.
• Location: Uptown, Chicago
• Common Violations: Resident neglect, insufficient supervision, poor hygiene

3. The Villa at Windsor Park

• Number of Reports: 10 in the past year
• Incident Details: Cited for medication mismanagement, including errors in dosage that resulted in hospitalizations.
• Location: South Side, Chicago
• Common Violations: Medication mismanagement, failure to report resident injuries

4. Warren Barr Gold Coast

• Number of Reports: 8 in the past year
• Incident Details: Failure to control infections led to a norovirus outbreak among residents.
• Location: Gold Coast, Chicago
• Common Violations: Lack of infection control, resident complaints of neglect

5. Elevate Care Chicago North

• Number of Reports: 13 in the past year
• Incident Details: Staff negligence contributed to multiple falls, including one fatal incident involving a resident left unattended in a wheelchair.
• Location: North Chicago
• Common Violations: Failure to prevent falls, patient malnutrition, improper restraint use

6. California Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

• Number of Reports: 11 in the past year
• Incident Details: Repeated citations for failure to respond to call lights, leading to prolonged periods without assistance for residents.
• Location: West Side, Chicago
• Common Violations: Medication administration errors, resident abuse complaints

7. Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

• Number of Reports: 9 in the past year
• Incident Details: Cited for lack of staff training, which resulted in improper lifting techniques causing patient injuries.
• Location: South Side, Chicago
• Common Violations: Failure to assist residents with mobility, lack of staff training

8. Glen Ellyn HealthCare & Rehabilitation Center

• Number of Reports: 7 in the past year
• Incident Details: Residents reported poor sanitation, with mold found in multiple areas of the facility.
• Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
• Common Violations: Poor sanitation, failure to meet dietary requirements

9. Lexington Health Care Center of Chicago Ridge

• Number of Reports: 10 in the past year
• Incident Details: Failure to provide timely medical intervention led to at least two cases of preventable hospitalizations.
• Location: Chicago Ridge, IL
• Common Violations: Lack of timely medical intervention, failure to provide emotional support

10. Aperion Care Forest Park

• Number of Reports: 12 in the past year
• Incident Details: Reports of dehydration and malnutrition due to inadequate meal monitoring and distribution.
• Location: Forest Park, IL
• Common Violations: Patient dehydration, understaffing, delayed response to medical needs

11. Symphony at Midway

• Location: Southwest Chicago
• Common Violations: High patient-to-staff ratio, improper use of physical restraints

12. Aperion Care Evanston

• Location: Evanston, IL
• Common Violations: Unsanitary conditions, failure to follow care plans

13. Bridgeview Health Care Center

• Location: Bridgeview, IL
• Common Violations: Physical abuse allegations, medication mismanagement

14. Concord Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

• Location: North Side, Chicago
• Common Violations: Failure to protect residents from infections, substandard living conditions

15. Bella Terra Morton Grove

• Location: Morton Grove, IL
• Common Violations: Delayed emergency response, patient injuries from falls

16. Alden Estates of Orland Park

• Location: Orland Park, IL
• Common Violations: Staffing shortages, improper wound care, resident complaints

17. Glenwood Healthcare & Rehab

• Location: Glenwood, IL
• Common Violations: Failure to protect residents from abuse, lack of proper medical oversight

18. Rosewood Care Center of St. Charles

• Location: St. Charles, IL
• Common Violations: Medication overdoses, inadequate infection prevention

19. Norwood Crossing

• Location: Northwest Chicago
• Common Violations: Understaffing, improper use of feeding tubes, resident complaints

20. Palos Heights Rehabilitation Center

• Location: Palos Heights, IL
• Common Violations: Poor record-keeping, failure to administer medication as prescribed

21. Aperion Care Oak Lawn

• Location: Oak Lawn, IL
• Common Violations: Complaints of mistreatment, failure to provide proper nutrition

22. South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

• Location: South Shore, Chicago
• Common Violations: Unsafe facility conditions, neglect allegations

23. ManorCare Health Services – Oak Lawn East

• Location: Oak Lawn, IL
• Common Violations: Falls resulting in injury, mismanagement of care plans

24. Smith Village

• Location: Beverly, Chicago
• Common Violations: Poor sanitation, food safety violations, failure to meet hygiene needs

25. Alden Estates of Barrington

• Location: Barrington, IL
• Common Violations: Lack of proper monitoring, unsanitary conditions, medication issues

Common Violations Found in Cited Nursing Homes

The most common violations reported in these nursing homes include:

• Failure to Prevent Falls: Many residents experience preventable falls due to inadequate supervision.
• Medication Errors: Mismanagement of medication, including incorrect dosages or failure to administer necessary drugs, is a recurring issue.
• Understaffing: Insufficient staff leads to delays in care and inadequate attention to residents’ needs.
• Resident Neglect: Reports of untreated infections, dehydration, and malnutrition highlight cases of neglect.
• Lack of Infection Control: Many facilities fail to follow standard hygiene protocols, leading to outbreaks of illnesses.
• Resident Abuse Allegations: Some nursing homes have been cited for instances of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse of residents.

How to Research a Nursing Home’s Violation History

If you are considering a nursing home for a loved one, it’s essential to check its history of citations and violations. Here are key resources:

• Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Tool: The CMS website (Medicare.gov) provides ratings and reports on facilities nationwide.
• Illinois Department of Public Health: IDPH publishes reports on nursing home violations and inspections.
• Google and Yelp Reviews: While online reviews may not always be entirely accurate, they can give insight into residents’ and families’ experiences.
• Visit the Facility: Touring a nursing home in person can help you assess cleanliness, staff attentiveness, and overall conditions.

Legal Recourse for Victims of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

If your loved one has been neglected or mistreated in a nursing home, you may have legal options. At John J. Malm & Associates, our experienced Illinois nursing home neglect lawyers have helped families hold negligent nursing homes accountable throughout the state. We can assist with:

• Investigating nursing home neglect or abuse claims
• Filing lawsuits against facilities with a history of poor care
• Securing compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress

If you suspect neglect or mistreatment, contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

Disclaimer: As a service to the community, we provide information on various nursing homes to educate the public on choosing a nursing home for a loved one. The above information was obtained from publicly available government websites. John J. Malm & Associates is not responsible for errors in the information provided.  None of the above is intended to express an opinion from John J. Malm & Associates or its attorneys regarding these nursing homes.