Contact: Kevin Kavanaugh
Director of Public Affairs
Illinois Council on Long Term Care
(773) 478-6613
Penny Zimmerman-Wills
Director of Communications
Illinois Health Care Association
(217) 528-6455
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Illinois
Health Care Association
Illinois Council on Long Term Care
For
Immediate Release
September 25, 2007
Long-Term
Care Legislators of the Year Announced
(Springfield)
-- The Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA) and
Illinois Council on Long Term Care (ICLTC) jointly
announce the 2007 Long-Term Care Legislators of the
Year. The associations are honoring these legislators
for their important work in strengthening the safety net
of care for the thousands of frail, elderly and disabled
individuals who depend on Illinois’ long-term care
system.
The
two associations represent more than 60,000 healthcare
professionals, therapists and caregivers serving 80,000
residents in Illinois.
The
legislators honored this year are:
- Sen.
Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry)
- Sen.
James F. Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville)
- Sen.
William Delgado (D-Chicago)
- Sen.
Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville)
- Sen.
Dan Kotowski (D-Mount Prospect)
- Sen.
Dale A. Righter (R-Mattoon)
- Sen.
Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac)
- Sen.
Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago)
- Sen.
Donne E. Trotter (D-Chicago)
- Rep.
John E. Bradley (D-Marion)
- Rep.
Dan Brady (R-Bloomington)
- Rep.
Elizabeth Coulson (R-Glenview)
- Rep.
Lisa M. Dugan (D-Bradley)
- Rep.
Robert F. Flider (D-Mt. Zion)
- Rep.
Jack D. Franks (D-Woodstock)
- Rep.
Careen M. Gordon (D-Coal City)
- Rep.
Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville)
- Rep.
Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago)
- Rep.
Lou Lang (D-Skokie)
- Rep.
Frank J. Mautino (D-Spring Valley)
- Rep.
Jack McGuire (D-Joliet)
- Rep.
Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines)
- Rep.
Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg)
- Rep.
Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville)
- Rep.
Robert Rita ((D-Blue Island)
- Rep.
Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet)
- Rep.
Kathleen Ryg (D-Vernon Hills)
- Rep.
Aaron Schock (R-Peoria)
- Rep.
Michael K. Smith (D-Canton)
- Rep.
Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Milan)
- Rep.
Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville)
Also
named to the 2007 IHCA Hall of Fame is Senator Ira
Silverstein and Representative Dan Brady. Legislators
who have received the annual award from the IHCA at
least three times are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The
winners were chosen for their commitment to quality care
for Illinois seniors and persons with disabilities. They
also supported measures to:
·
fund
the new Medicaid reimbursement system for nursing homes
·
update
the support and safety system from last century’s
costs
·
modernize
existing facilities into more person-friendly
environments
·
convert
and utilize existing facility resources to provide more
home-based and community services for the
elderly
·
attract
and retain quality bedside nurses and caregivers
·
promote
innovative practices in the care of the elderly; and
·
provide
an efficient, coordinated spectrum of senior services.
“The
long-term care community in Illinois has benefited
greatly from the outstanding dedication and hard work of
these public officials,” said David Voepel, IHCA
executive director. “These individuals have shown they
are a true friend to our profession.”
Terry
Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois Council on
Long Term Care said, “Our coalition and the facilities
we represent greatly appreciate these legislators for
being advocates for long-term care.”
# # #
The
IHCA is a non-profit organization comprised of nearly
500 licensed and certified long-term care facilities and
programs throughout the state, including DD services,
Assisted Living and Geriatric/Nursing facilities.
Founded in 1950, IHCA is the largest long-term care
association in Illinois.
The
Illinois Council on Long Term Care is a professional
association representing more than 22,000 long-term care
professionals and caregivers serving 30,000 residents
receiving care and treatment in more than 150 nursing
homes in Illinois.
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