© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Illinois raises rates for veteran nursing homes

War veterans salute as an American flag passes by during Memorial Day services at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis on May 30, 2011. The state of Illinois has announced that it will raise rates for veterans to live in its nursing homes.
(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
War veterans salute as an American flag passes by during Memorial Day services at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis on May 30, 2011. The state of Illinois has announced that it will raise rates for veterans to live in its nursing homes.

The state of Illinois is increasing the cost for military veterans to live in its nursing homes.

The Pantagraph in Bloomington reports the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has notified residents of the increase. It's the first time the state has raised monthly fees for residents since 1979. Costs will rise starting July 1, going from about $930 per resident a month to about $1,430.

New residents will see the increase immediately. The increase will be phased-in for current residents over four years. Starting in 2017 the monthly cost will be tied to inflation.

The state operates nursing homes in Anna, LaSalle, Manteno and Quincy. More than 900 residents live in the facilities. A Chicago nursing home for about 200 veterans is scheduled to open in 2015.