Episode #16: This podcast episode introduces a new Illinois law, effective January 1, 2026, concerning lift-assist calls to assisted living and nursing home facilities. A lift-assist is defined as a non-emergency service where firefighters help residents move from one position to another without requiring hospital transport. The law, Public Act 104-57, was enacted because frequent non-emergency calls strain fire district resources, potentially diverting personnel and equipment from actual emergencies. Under this new regulation, facilities will receive six free lift-assist calls per calendar year, but subsequent calls will incur a reasonable fee designed to cover the fire district’s actual costs for personnel and equipment. This change aims to encourage facilities to better prepare their staff for safe lifting practices, ensuring that the financial burden of repeated non-emergency services is shared more fairly rather than solely borne by taxpayers.
View Article: New Illinois Law on List- Assist Fees for Assisted Living and Nursing Facilities