Another County Nursing Home Problem--But In Lake County

The following was distributed by the Democratic Party of Lake County. It should be noted it does not affect McHenry County, but we thought it interesting in light of the fact that McHenry County also has a County Nursing Home, now operated a bit differently.

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Several of our members have asked us about the upcoming vote by the county board that may privatize Libertyville’s Winchester House, Lake County’s nursing home for low-income seniors. Here are the facts.

The Lake County Board will be voting to privatize Winchester House, the county-run nursing home. They will be voting to issue a Request for Proposals, otherwise known as an RFP, to private companies to manage and staff the home.

Winchester House workers have been providing high-quality caring services to the residents for decades. This proposal will make it easier for them to end collective bargaining for these workers and lay them off. Many of the almost 200 workers have been loyal county employees for 20 or 30 years.

Winchester House workers receive the same retirement benefits, health insurance plan and vacation/sick leave policies as all other Lake County employees. Now the County administrators believe the workers make too much money. The average Certified Nurse Aide at Winchester House makes $14.52 per hour or $30,201.00. It is very hard, labor-intensive work, performed by a mostly female workforce.

Many say the County's action will only serve to drive down wages in our area and further hurt economic progress. Privatization reduces County control over the quality of care our residents receive. Some are concerned that lower pay and benefits will increase employee turnover and interrupt continuity.

Call your county board members to tell them how you feel about this proposal.