Health Care Council of Illinois - HCCI

03/05/2026

Yesterday, our Director of Member Services, Carrie Impson-Perry along with Bert Heineman and Nechama Aronin of Everest Care hosted Leader McCombie at Everest Cares - Neighbors Health Center in Byron, Illinois. Thank you to Leader Tony McCombiei for a wonderful visit connecting with residents and staff to discuss senior healthcare and staffing needs. Our residents enjoyed their time with you!

02/26/2026

This week, we were thrilled to celebrate our February Long-Term Care Hero of the Month! Devin Duncan, Director of Nursing at Allure of Geneseo, was this month's recipient.💫

Devin has been a nurse for over 20 years, with 14 of those years spent working for this facility specifically. She has a compassionate and caring demeanor that eases residents and their families. Over the years, she has acquired many skills and continued to further her education. In each of her duties, she has the same devotion and attention to residents.

As a dedicated nurse and leader, Devin works countless hours to ensure the facility is fully staffed and each resident is cared for appropriately.

She is helpful and supportive, motivates staff, treats residents with respect, and faces the challenges of being a director of nursing with determination and grace, leading others to follow her example.

Allure of Geneseo is so lucky to have you, Devin! Congratulations on this well-deserved award.

02/25/2026

Tara McDonnell, Director of Nursing at Alden Estates of Evanston, was chosen by McKnight's for their fifth class of Spirit Award winners as part of the 2026 McKnight’s Women of Distinction program.

The Spirit Award recognizes inspirational caregiving deeds and other noble gestures by women at any level of a long-term care organization who have demonstrated acts of bravery, courage, perseverance, dedication, or determination.

Thank you, Tara, for your unwavering support and dedication to the long-term care industry!

Four women have been chosen as the fifth class of Spirit Award winners as part of the 2026 McKnight’s Women of Distinction program.

02/25/2026

At the Health Care Council of Illinois, we believe quality, long-term care starts with people - the caregivers, staff, and communities who show up every day for our loved ones. 💙

02/23/2026

Reminder that HCCI's inaugural convention is coming this Summer!
Join us as we "Race Toward Excellence" in the long-term care industry, June 16-18 at the IHotel & Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois.
From inspiring keynote speakers to informational education sessions to the exciting & innovative trade show, there is something for all industry professionals to enjoy.
Registration opens soon! 🐎🎖️

ICYMI:
We’re excited to announce the Health Care Council of Illinois’ first annual convention, happening June 16–18, 2026 at The I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign.
This year’s theme is “Racing Toward Excellence,” and the event will feature:
• Three inspiring keynote speakers
• Educational sessions offering CE credits
• Networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders
• An exciting Trade Show showcasing top vendors and innovative solutions for long-term care

Early Bird registration begins next spring! 🏇🌹🏅

02/23/2026

McKnight's Long-Term Care News recently recognized 19 Veteran VIPs in 2026 for its Women of Distinction program. We were proud to see four HCCI members among this list:
- Esther Burnett, Administrator, Princeton Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
- Nicole Jablonski, Chief Development Officer, Ignite Medical Resorts
- Joanne Ventrella, Administrator, Legacy Healthcare LLC
- Susie Williams, CEO/Administrator, Nature Trail Health and Rehab Center

The Veteran VIP category honors women who have more than 15 years of experience and have made an impact on the senior living, skilled nursing, or home care fields.

Nineteen women deemed to be excellent in their positions in home care, senior living or skilled nursing are being announced Thursday as the fifth class of Veteran VIPs in the annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program.

02/19/2026

McKnight's Long-Term Care News has elected 12 women working in skilled nursing, senior living, or home care as McKnight’s Women of Distinction Rising Stars for 2026. 💫🎖️
HCCI was proud to see multiple members chosen for this distinction:
- Amy Hammond, Vice President of Operations, Ignite Medical Resorts
- Brandy Middleton, Senior Director of Marketing and Engagement, Legacy Healthcare
- Yvette Saldana, Administrator, Alden Long Grove Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
- Kennedy Wright, Senior Administrator, Elevate Care

The Rising Star awards category honors women who are either 40 or younger or have fewer than 15 years of experience in their respective long-term care careers. All have demonstrated an exceptional commitment at the community, facility, agency, or corporate level.

Twelve women working in skilled nursing, senior living or home care have been selected as McKnight's Women of Distinction Rising Stars for 2026.

02/18/2026

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered his eighth budget address earlier today at the State Capitol in Springfield, where HCCI members, Alan Gaffner with the Alden Network, and Shully Lichtman with Caliber Healthcare Consulting were honored to be guests of Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza.

Before the address, they sat down with the Comptroller and her team to discuss the long-term care industry in our state and thanked her for supporting nursing homes. Since taking office in 2016, ensuring timely payment to long-term care facilities has been a big initiative of the Comptroller’s Office.

02/18/2026

Some HCCI staff members joined Health News Illinois this morning for their annual legislative roundtable breakfast, where they heard from state senators and state representatives on both sides of the aisle regarding healthcare priorities they hope to see in Illinois' FY27 Budget.
Thanks for this great event, Health News Illinois!

02/18/2026

Supporting long-term care means supporting our entire health care system. We’re counting on policymakers to help protect access to high-quality care for our seniors and individuals with disabilities.

02/17/2026

Does your facility have derecho protocols? In the summer of 2024, a derecho rolled across parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana with widespread damaging winds of 60 to 100 mph. It's essential to have plans in place when severe weather occurs.
HCCI is holding a webinar designed to equip long-term care facilities with the knowledge and tools needed to prepare for a derecho on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Be sure to sign up today!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GJ5-PPPiT3aowG4zuLvT5w

02/17/2026

Bickford of Quincy had the best Valentine's Day over the weekend!

HCCI joined them, State Representative Kyle Moore, and newly crowned Miss Quincy Teen 2026 Olivia Martinez, and Miss Quincy 2026 Shelby Rose, in an amazing day distributing gifts and cards to residents.

A big shout-out to Olivia Brown, Happiness Coordinator at Bickford of Quincy, who helped organize this great event, as well as Torie Cassens, owner of Pumped Up Balloons and Beyond, who delivered more than 800 Valentine’s Day gifts to residents in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities across Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike counties.