Nursing Home Residents Receive More Protection Under New Retaliation Law

A new Illinois law is setting stronger protections for one of the state’s most vulnerable populations—nursing home residents. House Bill 2474, signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in March 2025, addresses a longstanding issue: retaliation against residents who speak up about mistreatment, unsafe conditions, or inadequate care.

The law goes into effect on January 1, 2026, and for families across Chicago and Illinois, it marks a turning point in the fight for nursing home accountability.

If your loved one is living in a nursing home, you expect them to be treated with respect and dignity. But when residents speak up about abuse or neglect, retaliation from staff or administrators is all too common. A new Illinois law aims to put an end to that. At DePaolo & Zadeikis Attorneys at Law, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are closely following the implementation of House Bill 2474, landmark legislation that gives residents the right to take legal action when they’re punished for speaking out. For a free initial consultation to discuss your loved one’s rights, contact our law firm today at 312-263-7560.

What Does House Bill 2474 Do?

House Bill 2474 represents a major step forward in protecting the rights of nursing home residents across Illinois. By directly addressing the problem of retaliation, a common, yet often overlooked, issue in long-term care settings, this law reinforces the message that residents should never be punished for speaking up. Whether a resident reports poor treatment, files a formal complaint, or cooperates with a state investigation, the law ensures they’re legally protected from retribution. 

Protections the law puts in place include:

Giving Residents the Right to Sue for Retaliation

The most impactful change is that residents, or their families, can now bring civil lawsuits against nursing home facilities, licensees, or employees who retaliate against them for asserting their rights. If a resident reports abuse, files a complaint, or participates in an investigation and is punished for it, the facility may be held liable.

Victims will have up to two years from the date of the retaliation to take legal action. This is an expansion of rights, giving residents a clear path to hold facilities accountable in court.

Defining What Counts as Retaliation

The law provides examples of retaliatory conduct, such as:

• Transferring a resident to a different room without a valid reason
• Denying privileges or limiting access to services
• Increasing isolation by restricting visits or communication
• Providing less attentive or delayed care

Any action taken to punish a resident for asserting their rights, whether overt or subtle, can now form the basis of a legal claim.

Requiring Annual Staff Training

Nursing home staff must now undergo yearly training on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to retaliation. This aims to foster a more respectful and rights-focused culture within facilities.

Training must cover:

• Resident rights under state and federal law
• What constitutes retaliatory conduct
• How to respond appropriately to resident complaints or concerns

Mandating Annual Notifications to Residents

Nursing homes must inform residents of their rights, including their right to be free from retaliation, on an annual basis. These rights must also be posted clearly and prominently within the facility.

For residents with limited mobility or cognitive issues, this requirement ensures that family members, caregivers, and advocates are also aware of their loved one’s protections.

A Response to Real Problems in the Industry

This new law didn’t arise in a vacuum. Illinois State Representative Lakesia Collins, a former nursing home worker herself, championed the bill after hearing repeated stories of retaliation. Discussing the bill, Collins spoke about the importance of giving residents “a voice and some teeth” when filing complaints. Without a legal avenue to respond, many residents felt powerless.

Facilities have long relied on a power imbalance. Many residents don’t have family close by. Others may suffer from dementia, Parkinson’s, or physical limitations. These conditions make them particularly vulnerable to exploitation or mistreatment at some of the worst nursing homes in Illinois.

This law directly addresses that imbalance by creating consequences for bad actors and deterring future retaliation.

Empowering Families to Speak Up

For Chicago families with loved ones in long-term care, this law offers new reassurance. You no longer have to remain silent when something feels wrong. Whether your parent is being ignored, denied care, or punished for raising concerns, you now have legal backing.

You also don’t need to wait until retaliation occurs to get help. A qualified nursing home abuse lawyer can assess signs of mistreatment early and help prevent future harm.

Some early warning signs of retaliation include:

• A sudden change in how staff interacts with your loved one
• Unexplained room changes or care restrictions
• Increased isolation or depression
• Delays in medication, meals, or hygiene care
• Hostile or dismissive responses from staff when you raise concerns

Even if you’re not sure whether it counts as retaliation under the law, it’s worth documenting and discussing with an attorney.

The Path Forward

House Bill 2474 is a win for Illinois seniors, families, and advocates who have long pushed for change in the nursing home industry. However, laws don’t enforce themselves. Families and legal professionals play a crucial role in holding facilities accountable, and in ensuring that no resident is punished for demanding basic respect and humane care.

If your loved one may have suffered retaliation for reporting neglect in a nursing home in Chicago, don’t wait for things to get worse. An attorney familiar with Illinois nursing home laws can help you investigate the situation, build a case, and protect your loved one’s rights.

Protecting the Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Retaliation has no place in elder care. With the passage of House Bill 2474, Illinois is taking a stand. Nursing home residents should be free to report abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions without fear. If your loved one has experienced mistreatment, such as medication mismanagement in a nursing home, and faced pushback for speaking up, legal help is available.

DePaolo & Zadeikis Attorneys at Law is here to help families throughout Chicago stand up for their rights. Call us today at 312-263-7560 to schedule a confidential consultation.