Section 320 ILCS 42/30 - Nursing Home Conversion Program(a) The Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Department on Aging and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, shall establish a nursing home conversion program. Start-up grants, pursuant to subsections (l) and (m) of this Section, shall be made available to nursing homes as appropriations permit as an incentive to reduce certified beds, retrofit, and retool operations to meet new service delivery expectations and demands.(b) Grant moneys shall be made available for capital and other costs related to: (1) the conversion of all or a part of a nursing home to an assisted living establishment or a special program or unit for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders licensed under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act or a supportive living facility established under Section 5-5.01a of the Illinois Public Aid Code; (2) the conversion of multi-resident bedrooms in the facility into single-occupancy rooms; and (3) the development of any of the services identified in a priority service plan that can be provided by a nursing home within the confines of a nursing home or transportation services. Grantees shall be required to provide a minimum of a 20% match toward the total cost of the project.(c) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the co-location of services or the development of multifunctional centers under subsection (f) of Section 20, including a nursing home offering community-based services or a community provider establishing a residential facility.(d) A certified nursing home with at least 50% of its resident population having their care paid for by the Medicaid program is eligible to apply for a grant under this Section.(e) Any nursing home receiving a grant under this Section shall reduce the number of certified nursing home beds by a number equal to or greater than the number of beds being converted for one or more of the permitted uses under item (1) or (2) of subsection (b). The nursing home shall retain the Certificate of Need for its nursing and sheltered care beds that were converted for 15 years. If the beds are reinstated by the provider or its successor in interest, the provider shall pay to the fund from which the grant was awarded, on an amortized basis, the amount of the grant. The Department shall establish, by rule, the bed reduction methodology for nursing homes that receive a grant pursuant to item (3) of subsection (b).(f) Any nursing home receiving a grant under this Section shall agree that, for a minimum of 10 years after the date that the grant is awarded, a minimum of 50% of the nursing home's resident population shall have their care paid for by the Medicaid program. If the nursing home provider or its successor in interest ceases to comply with the requirement set forth in this subsection, the provider shall pay to the fund from which the grant was awarded, on an amortized basis, the amount of the grant.(g) Before awarding grants, the Department of Public Health shall seek recommendations from the Department on Aging and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The Department of Public Health shall attempt to balance the distribution of grants among geographic regions, and among small and large nursing homes. The Department of Public Health shall develop, by rule, the criteria for the award of grants based upon the following factors: (1) the unique needs of older adults (including those with moderate and low incomes), caregivers, and providers in the geographic area of the State the grantee seeks to serve;(2) whether the grantee proposes to provide services in a priority service area;(3) the extent to which the conversion or transition will result in the reduction of certified nursing home beds in an area with excess beds;(4) the compliance history of the nursing home; and(5) any other relevant factors identified by the Department, including standards of need.(h) A conversion funded in whole or in part by a grant under this Section must not: (1) diminish or reduce the quality of services available to nursing home residents;(2) force any nursing home resident to involuntarily accept home-based or community-based services instead of nursing home services;(3) diminish or reduce the supply and distribution of nursing home services in any community below the level of need, as defined by the Department by rule; or(4) cause undue hardship on any person who requires nursing home care.(i) The Department shall prescribe, by rule, the grant application process. At a minimum, every application must include: (1) the type of grant sought;(2) a description of the project;(3) the objective of the project;(4) the likelihood of the project meeting identified needs;(5) the plan for financing, administration, and evaluation of the project;(6) the timetable for implementation;(7) the roles and capabilities of responsible individuals and organizations;(8) documentation of collaboration with other service providers, local community government leaders, and other stakeholders, other providers, and any other stakeholders in the community;(9) documentation of community support for the project, including support by other service providers, local community government leaders, and other stakeholders;(10) the total budget for the project;(11) the financial condition of the applicant; and(12) any other application requirements that may be established by the Department by rule.(j) A conversion project funded in whole or in part by a grant under this Section is exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. The Department of Public Health, however, shall send to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board a copy of each grant award made under this Section.(k) Applications for grants are public information, except that nursing home financial condition and any proprietary data shall be classified as nonpublic data.(l) The Department of Public Health may award grants from the Long Term Care Civil Money Penalties Fund established under Section 1919(h)(2)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 488.422 (g) if the award meets federal requirements.Amended by P.A. 099-0576,§ 5-75, eff. 7/15/2016.Amended by P.A. 096-1000,§ 520, eff. 7/2/2010.Amended by P.A. 096-0758,§ 20, eff. 8/25/2009.Amended by P.A. 096-0031,§ 65, eff. 6/30/2009.Amended by P.A. 095-0331,§ 835, eff. 8/21/2007.Added by P.A. 093-1031, § 30, eff. 8/27/2004.