New Illinois Law on Lift-Assist Fees for Assisted Living and Nursing Facilities

Date: 08/22/2025

Effective January 1, 2026, a new provision of the Illinois Fire Protection District Act—70 ILCS 705/11n—allows fire protection districts to charge fees to assisted living and nursing home facilities for certain types of non-emergency calls known as “lift assists.”

What Is a Lift-Assist?

A lift-assist service occurs when fire district personnel respond to an assisted living facility or nursing home to help lift a resident from one position to another—for example, helping someone who has fallen and cannot get up without assistance. Importantly, this does not include situations where a patient is being transported to a hospital or emergency room.

Who Does This Law Apply To?

This statute specifically applies to:

Assisted Living Facilities
Nursing Home Facilities

It does not apply to private residences, independent senior living facilities, or emergency hospital transports.

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How the Fee Structure Works

Fire protection districts must respond to lift-assist calls, as before.
For each facility, the first six lift-assist calls in a calendar year are free of charge.
Beginning with the seventh call in that year, the district may impose a reasonable fee for each additional lift assist.
The fee cannot exceed the actual cost of personnel and equipment used to provide the service.

Why the Change?

Lift-assist calls can take up significant district resources, often pulling personnel and equipment away from emergencies. Some facilities have relied heavily on local fire districts for these non-emergency needs. This law seeks to balance necessary resident care with the financial sustainability of fire protection districts.

Impact on Facilities and Communities

For Facilities: Assisted living and nursing homes will need to develop better internal fall-prevention and assistance strategies to avoid extra costs after the sixth call each year.
For Fire Protection Districts: The law provides a way to recover costs for frequent, non-emergency calls, ensuring resources remain available for critical emergencies.
For Residents and Families: The change may encourage facilities to staff adequately and use appropriate safety measures, while still ensuring that emergency help is available when needed.

Key Takeaway

Starting in 2026, fire protection districts can bill assisted living and nursing facilities for lift assists beyond six per year. This new law encourages responsible use of public safety resources while ensuring residents still get the help they need in non-emergency situations.