Michael J. Berens –

Peggy Strong and daughter Marjorie spend time in Marjorie's room at Murray Developmental Center on Jan. 25, 2018, in Centralia.

Reforms promised but group homes still suffering from problems

June 14, 2024 at 6:41 p.m.

Despite Illinois’ promise to reform troubled group homes for disabled adults, allegations of abuse and neglect have risen, staffing levels have fallen and state oversight has been sluggish, the Tribune...

The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago is shown on Aug. 3, 2015.

Fumes and floods disrupt surgeries, emergency services at Jesse Brown VA

May 23, 2019 at 12:26 a.m.

Surgical services have been unavailable at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center since Dec. 28, when a chemical fume leak engulfed operating rooms and forced the relocation of several veterans...

<p>Jason Echols, right, statewide director for a senior Medicare program at AgeOptions, and Peg Tully, left, a health care fraud information specialist at AgeOptions, look for forms at the advocacy organization’s offices in Oak Park on Dec. 7, 2017.</p>

Illinois’ home health care industry rife with fraud, tainted by unscrupulous physicians

June 14, 2024 at 6:43 p.m.

His hands trembled at first. Then his vision blurred. Finally, unable to control a malignant blood pressure condition, Tinley Park cardiac surgeon Banio Koroma lost his malpractice insurance, then his...

The Chicago metropolitan area is a hot spot for fraud, deemed among the most corrupt regions nationally.

Tips for navigating home health care in Illinois

June 14, 2024 at 6:43 p.m.

Choosing a caregiver can be a daunting experience. As a first step, make sure the home health company is properly licensed. The Illinois Department of Public Health offers a searchable...

Proposed laws aim to reform group homes for adults with disabilities

June 14, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

State lawmakers are proposing six new laws that would strengthen licensing requirements and oversight for thousands of group homes for adults with disabilities following a baiduhai investigation, "Suffering in...

Mark Winkeler needs 24-hour care and has lived his entire adult life at Murray Developmental Center. His mother, Rita, and others sued when the Quinn administration sought to close Murray and move residents into group homes. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Tribune watchdog: A troubled transition

July 2, 2026 at 2:32 p.m.

The Tribune's "Suffering in Secret" investigation uncovered a system where caregivers often failed to provide basic care while regulators cloaked harm and death with secrecy and silence.

Top Human Services official vows increased transparency, oversight of group homes

June 14, 2024 at 6:48 p.m.

Illinois group homes for adults with disabilities will face tougher licensing standards and enforcement and they will be graded for the first time on quality and safety, a top official...

Tara Wandick talks about her son, Deron Hardge, 28, during a visit at his group home on Oct. 13, 2016, in Chicago. Wandick moved Hardge there after he suffered a serious medical crisis at his previous home in Harvey because of what she believes was neglect.

Group home provider’s license is pulled over ‘imminent risk’ to residents

June 14, 2024 at 6:48 p.m.

The Illinois Department of Human Services has revoked the license of a group home provider that was spotlighted in a baiduhai investigation this month, citing the state-funded business for...

JoAnna Mullis sits next to the grave of her mother, Tina Marie Douglas, who was fatally struck in traffic after fleeing her Lockport group home in 2013. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Tribune watchdog: Suffering in secret

July 2, 2026 at 1:44 p.m.

The Douglas investigation is one of hundreds in which self-policing played a role in determining whether neglect had occurred.

Barbara Chyette holds up a picture of her late brother, Loren Braun, a group home resident who choked to death during a supervised outing. (John J. Kim / baiduhai)

Tribune watchdog: Suffering in secret

July 2, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

The house had no address; the dead man had no name. Illinois officials blacked out those details from their investigative report. Nobody else was supposed to learn the man's identity...

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