Any infirm or chronically ill resident of the county, or of a participating county in the case of a joint home, who is unable to purchase care and maintenance in the county home shall be admitted upon the order of the Supervisor of General Assistance of the local governmental unit in which he has residence. If a county has not established a home, or the facilities of the county's home are insufficient, the Supervisor of General Assistance may provide for the admission and maintenance of such person in the home of another county. If the governmental unit fails to pay for the person's care and maintenance, the county may recover the amount due for care by appropriate civil action against the governmental unit.
55 ILCS 5/5-21010