Kane County Reporter

An Illinois Republican state senator and the chief co-sponsor of a bill that would help prevent nursing home residents’ social isolation has thanked a Democratic senator “for bringing this bill forward” as it passed in the Senate. 

In a Facebook post, Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) thanked state Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 2137, “for identifying a revenue stream to fund it.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to champion this important bill alongside Chief Sponsor Senator Collins." DeWitte said in the post. "It's bipartisanship at its best, and proves that we can pass meaningful legislation when we work together.”

The Senate passed SB 2137 with a 53-0-0 vote on April 29, according to the Senate Vote record. It amends the Nursing Home Care Act, the bill status of SB 2137 said. The House referred the measure to the Rules Committee on May 4.

“Senate Bill 2137 would require all long-term care facilities in Illinois to adopt and implement written policies and procedures to help prevent social isolation of nursing home residents, including making technology available for online visits with loved ones,” DeWitte’s website said.

Combating social isolation could include implementing virtual visitation and existing in-person visitation policies, DeWitte’s website said.

The bill comes after research conducted in 2020 found that long-term care facility residents’ quality of life was affected by isolation and loneliness, DeWitte’s website said.

"A 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients,” the website said

Long-term care facilities in the state would be required to adhere to the social isolation prevention policies in order to be licensed, DeWitte’s website said.

Civil monetary penalty funds, among other resources, would fund technology and assistive equipment.