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A bill at the Illinois statehouse would have reduced the tax
rate on nursing homes from 25% of their market value to 10% but
was vetoed by Pritzker over fears of raising property taxes on
residents of Cook County.
The state legislature can override the veto, causing the bill to
become law, if they vote and receive a three-fifths majority.
The measure passed the Senate in May unanimously. In the House
on concurrence, the measure passed with 95 yes votes, zero no
votes and two voting present, a veto-proof majority.
Ron Nunziato of the Health Care Council of Illinois explained
why Cook County nursing home facilities are classified
differently than the other 101 Illinois counties.
"They claimed the majority of residents in the skilled nursing
facilities are there for short-term rehab and then go home,"
Nunziato told The Center Square. "That is simply not true."
Nunziato said the facilities will have to cut costs if the veto
is not overridden.
"Some of these facilities are at a point where they will have to
decide what to do with their operation," Nunziato said. "There
may be layoffs of clinical and non-clinical staff, or there may
be closures."
If closed, patients will be forced to find a different facility,
he said.
"Some of those south suburban districts that are affected only
have one facility in their community," Nunziato said. "That
means those people are going to have to move to a different
facility."
The measure could be addressed when lawmakers return for the
final three days of veto session beginning Nov. 7.
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