ROGERS PARK — A group of activists protested Friday outside of a troubled nursing home on Sheridan Road in hopes to re-ignite debate about whether the facility treats its residents safely.
Alden Village North, at 7464 N. Sheridan Road, had been cited by the state for the deaths of 13 children and young adults since 2000, according to a 2010 report by the Chicago Tribune.
Shortly after the report was published, the state moved to close the nursing home, which typically treats mentally disabled residents. But it remained open.
"While the facility has been cited for violations over the past couple of years, the ultimate results of those violations did not rise to the level of license revocation," said Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Activists with advocacy group Access Living picketed and chanted from noon-2 p.m. Friday outside the nursing home. About two dozen people filled the sidewalk adjacent to the nursing home.
"We don’t want to let the state off on failing to follow through with closing it down," said Gary Arnold, an organizer with Access Living. "We want to send the message that no young people should have to stay at a nursing home."
Ultimately, he said, the protesters hope to "bring the issue into the spotlight again."
A spokeswoman for Alden Village North did not respond to requests for comment, but the state spokeswoman said "conditions currently found at the facility during its most recent inspections are significantly improved compared to 2008 and 2009."
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