Anita Thompson, Lori Hendren and Heidi Dalenberg were among a host of witnesses to encourage lawmakers to change the state’s long-term care facilities which were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State leaders should widen long-term care residents’ visitation access, protect their rights to sue and replenish staff shortages to better protect Illinois’ senior and disabled populations, advocates told lawmakers on Wednesday.

They pitched the proposals during a lengthy subject matter hearing to call for improvements to long term-care in Illinois after the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted the state’s most vulnerable residents.