McHenry Times

Illinois lawmakers proposed legislation requiring long-term care facilities to provide electronic tablets to residents ensuring that they have options to keep in touch with family remotely.

Illinois State Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) co-sponsored the legislation after the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions caused many long-term care residents to experience severe social isolation.

He is co-sponsoring the bill with Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

"I'm proud to serve as the leading chief co-sponsor of this important bipartisan legislation," DeWitte said in an April 10 Facebook post. "I applaud primary sponsor, Senator Collins, for identifying a revenue stream to pay for this initiative, and I look forward to championing this bill when we return to Springfield next week."

Under Senate Bill 2137, long-term care facilities would have to adopt policies requiring them to provide technology to residents. It would allow them access to the internet, videoconferencing, social media or other means of communication.

It would also require that facilities provide staff training to prevent social isolation among residents and implement protocols to encourage and enable residents to engage in social contact via in-person visits and other communications through the use of technology.

DeWitte told News Channel 20 News that funding for the tech and training would come from nursing home fines, relieving facilities' financial burden.