How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois

Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Before making a report, it’s important to understand what qualifies as nursing home abuse or neglect. Abuse and neglect can take many forms, and knowing what to look for will help you take action quickly.

Common types of nursing home abuse or neglect to watch for include:

• Physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, spitting, slapping, shoving, punching, or any action that was meant to inflict pain on the body. 
• Sexual harm, such as rape or inappropriate touch. Signs of sexual abuse in a nursing home include unexplained Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unexplained bruises or scars, and torn clothing. 
• Mental or emotional abuse, such as insults, isolation, verbal harassment, humiliation, and other harm to the resident's mental state. 
• Intentionally or unintentionally failing to provide proper care, also known as active and passive neglect. This may include failing to give food, water, shelter, or medical attention when necessary, abandoning residents, or failing to prevent illnesses, injuries, or other problems. 
• Financial abuse, such as forcing a resident to sign documents without his or her true consent, stealing or misusing a resident's money or assets, or exploiting a resident's vulnerabilities for financial gain.
• Inhospitable residential environment, such as a dirty living space, overcrowding of residents, understaffed personnel, and lack of social interaction or activities. 

If you notice any of these forms of abuse or neglect, you should report them immediately to the appropriate authorities and consult a nursing home abuse lawyer to protect your loved one’s rights.

Where to Report Abuse in a Nursing Home

Victims and their advocates have several options to report abuse in a nursing home. The Illinois Department of Public Health can address concerns of abuse and neglect if a complaint is filed. Your local Adult Protective Services (APS) office is another resource that will examine reports of abuse in nursing homes. You can also file a police report with local law enforcement detailing the imminent danger and severe injuries a resident received at a nursing home. 

How Do I Report Abuse in a Nursing Home?

Reporting to the Facility

Nursing home abuse reports are usually first provided to nursing home administrators and local ombudsmen. People in those positions have a more immediate presence and involvement in nursing home environments. Therefore, they may be able to promptly address reports of abuse or neglect in nursing homes. 

You can report nursing home neglect or abuse to a nursing home administrator if you are looking for an immediate response to your report. Once a report is brought to the attention of an administrator, an investigation into the matter begins. 

The nursing home administrator will review the details and circumstances of the report's allegations. Evidence that is relevant to the details in the report will be collected and examined by the administrator. The investigation into the abuse or neglect by a staff member will continue even after that staff member is suspended and prevented from coming back to the nursing home facility. The purpose of the administrator's investigation is to determine if the staff members are in violation of the nursing home's policies. 

Making a Complaint With the Local Ombudsman

Your local ombudsman is another authority you can turn to in filing a report of nursing home abuse or neglect. Like with a nursing home administrator, an ombudsman is responsible for overseeing any issue facing residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They often visit nursing homes and observe the operations at the facilities. 

An ombudsman will typically receive a complaint alleging a nursing home's abusive or neglectful environment, and will initiate an investigation into the matter, report the case to other authorities, and provide recommended solutions. Ombudsmen take reports with confidentiality to protect the identity of those who made the complaint. Confidentiality can prevent retaliatory responses from the nursing home staff. Ombudsmen have a direct presence and are more involved with nursing home facilities.

You are more likely to receive an immediate response to your report by reaching out initially to a nursing home administrator or an Ombudsman. 

Filing a Formal Report With IDPH

Reports of nursing home neglect or abuse can also be directed to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH accepts complaints involving claims of abuse or negligence by staff members in a nursing home. 

The IDPH looks into whether the care provided to the residents was harmful, unprofessional, and dangerous to the resident's life. This could include harm to a resident, medical errors, failure to prevent infections, and any other violation of a resident's rights. 

Residents or their family members can report to the IDPH and file their complaint by an online website form, phone, email, fax, and mail. If the resident is facing imminent danger, you can reach out to the IDPH's Nursing Home Hotline, which can provide emergency medical services and law enforcement intervention when necessary. 

Before you begin the process of submitting a complaint, it's important to know the details of the entire situation. This could include the name of the resident, name of the abusive or negligent staff member, name of the facility and its location, date and time of the incident or a list of dates and times of repeated incidents, and the nature of the abuse or neglect. Submitting a complaint to the IDPH is confidential. After reviewing the complaint, the IDPH may start an investigation. 

Notifying Adult Protective Services

You can report nursing home abuse to your local Adult Protective Services (APS) office. APS works on investigating and addressing allegations of exploitation, abuse, and neglect of vulnerable adults, including nursing home residents. APS considers nursing home residents to be vulnerable adults because of their reliance on others to help them receive care, support, and safety. 

Similarly to filing complaints with the IDPH, APS will typically require the same type of identifying information included in the report to assist in a potential investigation. A social worker will be responsible for collecting the information from the complaint and examining the report's allegations to see if an investigation will take place. 

The process of filing a complaint with your local APS office will not have immediate effect, like with a nursing home administrator or an Ombudsman. Local APS offices do have close involvement with nursing homes, and this allows APS agents to have a regular presence in the operations of nursing homes. 

Reporting Abuse or Neglect to Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement is another source to which you can report nursing home abuse or neglect. If you decide to contact your local police and make a report about nursing home abuse, it's important to have all the right details about the situation in the nursing home. These details include the name of the resident and the name(s) of the staff members who abused or neglected the resident, the nature of the abuse or neglect, and when the abuse or neglect occurred. 

Law enforcement can respond immediately to situations that concern imminent danger or severe injuries. Your police report may require additional documentation, such as statements from witnesses, photos of any injuries or property damage, financial documents, and medical records. These pieces of evidence that come with your police report may be able to help support your allegations. 

How to File a Claim for Nursing Home Abuse

If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, hiring a nursing home abuse attorney and filing an injury or wrongful death claim may be the most effective way to secure justice and financial compensation. Unlike regulatory complaints, which focus on facility oversight, a civil lawsuit directly addresses the harm caused to the victim and their family.

Filing an Injury Claim

When a nursing home resident suffers injuries from abuse or neglect, an attorney can help file a personal injury lawsuit against the facility and responsible staff. These claims can recover damages for:

• Medical bills and future treatment
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Loss of quality of life
  
• Possible punitive damages if the conduct was especially reckless

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim 

If nursing home abuse or neglect results in a resident’s death, Illinois law allows surviving family members or the estate to pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
  
• Medical costs related to the final injury or illness
  
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
  
• Emotional suffering of surviving family members

Why Legal Representation Matters

Nursing home facilities and their insurers often fight these claims aggressively. An experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate the abuse, gather medical records and witness statements, and work with experts to prove liability. By filing an injury or wrongful death claim, you hold negligent facilities accountable while protecting your family’s right to full financial recovery.

How an Investigation for Nursing Home Abuse Works

Knowing how an investigation into nursing home abuse works may be helpful when deciding to report to an authority or file a claim with an attorney. Entities that you can report to about nursing home abuse or neglect may have different procedures for conducting investigations. 

Nursing home administrators will conduct a more internal investigation, focusing on the details of the complaint and the staff member responsible for the alleged abuse or neglect. 

An ombudsman will take an active role within the nursing home in his or her investigation. He or she can visit the nursing home and observe the facility's environment, interview potential witnesses, and document observations. An ombudsman will usually end his or her investigation by reporting findings to other authorities, such as law enforcement. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has a similar process to an ombudsman when conducting their investigations, but will differ on the final procedures. The IDPH can issue a response to any violations, such as sanctions, fines, or revocation of licenses. 

If you report abuse in a nursing home to local law enforcement, the authorities will conduct an investigation immediately following a police report. They can be more focused on collecting information on injuries or imminent danger faced by the resident. 

Nursing home attorneys will conduct investigations for the purpose of recovering compensation for the residents they represent.

FAQs About Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois

Who do I call first to report nursing home abuse in Illinois? 

You can start by reporting suspected nursing home abuse to the facility administrator or your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman. For formal complaints, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) accepts reports online, by phone, email, fax, or mail. If the abuse involves immediate danger, you should also contact law enforcement. Speaking with a nursing home abuse lawyer ensures your complaint is handled correctly and your loved one’s rights are protected.

Can I report nursing home abuse anonymously? 

Yes, in Illinois, you can file an anonymous complaint with the IDPH or Adult Protective Services (APS). This protects you from potential retaliation by the nursing home or staff members. However, providing your name and contact information may help investigators gather additional details about the situation. Even if you choose to stay anonymous, a lawyer can still pursue legal action on behalf of your loved one.

What evidence should I gather before reporting nursing home abuse? 

Strong evidence makes it easier for investigators or attorneys to take action. Gather medical records, photographs of injuries or unsafe conditions, financial documents if financial abuse is suspected, and written notes of dates, times, and staff names. Witness statements from other residents or visitors can also strengthen your case. An attorney can help organize and present this evidence to regulatory agencies or in a lawsuit.

What happens after I file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health? 

Once you submit a complaint, the IDPH will review your report and determine whether to begin an investigation. If they move forward, investigators may visit the facility, interview staff and residents, and review records. The IDPH can issue penalties such as fines, sanctions, or even revoke the facility’s license. If the investigation confirms abuse, you may also have grounds for a civil lawsuit to recover damages.

Can I sue a nursing home after reporting abuse? 

Yes. Filing a report with the IDPH or APS addresses regulatory violations, but it does not provide financial compensation for your loved one’s injuries. A lawsuit against the nursing home or staff can help recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Working with a nursing home abuse lawyer ensures you pursue both regulatory action and financial recovery.

How long do I have to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Illinois? 

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most nursing home abuse and neglect cases is two years from the date of the injury or discovery of abuse. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to file a lawsuit. Because deadlines can be complex—especially if the victim is incapacitated—it’s best to speak with an attorney immediately. Acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved and your case is protected.

What are the signs of nursing home neglect I should watch for?

Neglect can be subtle, but common warning signs include unexplained injuries, sudden weight loss, poor hygiene, bedsores, untreated medical issues, or emotional withdrawal. A dirty or unsafe living environment and frequent staff shortages may also signal neglect. Families should also look for financial irregularities, such as missing personal belongings or unusual bank activity. Recognizing these signs early can help you report problems before they worsen.

Take Action to Protect Your Loved One From Nursing Home Abuse

Reporting abuse in a nursing home is the first step toward protecting vulnerable residents and holding negligent facilities accountable. Whether you file with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Adult Protective Services, or law enforcement, legal representation can help ensure your complaint is taken seriously and your family’s rights are upheld. If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in an Illinois nursing home, contact Strong Law Offices in Peoria to schedule a free consultation.