Senator recognized for commitment to nursing homes
BELVIDERE, IL – State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) today was honored by the Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) with a Champion of Senior Care award for his leadership, support, and hard work on behalf of Illinois seniors. The award is presented to a legislator who demonstrates continued support for the long term care industry and its residents.

“Senator Syverson has served as a strong advocate for Illinois’ most frail residents,” Pat Comstock, Executive Director of HCCI, said. “At a time when Illinois is facing difficult times, it’s important that we have leaders in the legislature who keep the care and safety of Illinois’ elderly a priority.”

The Health Care Council of Illinois, the state’s largest nursing home association, presented the award to Syverson at the Northwoods Care Centre in Belvidere. The distinction is based on Syverson’s long term support for the nursing home profession and the residents it serves.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Syverson. “Working with industry leaders, we have been able to create one of the best long-term care programs in the country. As our state’s population ages, it is increasingly important that we provide high quality, affordable long-term care options for our seniors.”

Residents at Northwoods visited with Senator Syverson, who has become a familiar face to them. The award comes at a time of increasing uncertainty about funding for nursing homes in Illinois, where several facilities have had to take on mounting debt to cover costs while they wait for the state to pay its bills.

“Our residents don’t have the luxury of being able to drive to Springfield or even to a legislator’s local office to talk to their elected official,” Susan Mead, administrator of Northwoods Care Centre, said. “Senator Syverson has made it a point to regularly visit our facility to meet with our residents and staff about issues and concerns they have. He has made his voice heard in the legislature on issues pertaining to long term care. That kind of leadership is important to people who are infirm and whose voices may have been weakened by illness and disease. This is our opportunity to say, ‘Thank You’, on their behalf. Springfield could use more legislators that put people before politics and truly serve as a voice for the people that they represent. ”

The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is a professional association of more than 500 nursing facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. HCCI represents more than 80,000 nursing home professionals serving more than 80,000 residents.