I have heard from numerous nursing home workers and administrators in my community that adequate protective personal equipment (PPE) has been unavailable to staff during the COVID-19 crisis. The distribution system isn't providing these workers with the protection they need to do their jobs safely.

This news is deeply concerning to me. The staffs in our nursing homes are an enormous asset to the state. They have bravely stepped up to care for some of our most vulnerable residents— our aging parents, friends, and loved ones— during this outbreak.

We must ensure they feel as safe as possible on the job. That's why I joined my colleagues to request information from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding the amount of Personal Protective Equipment that has been distributed to those nursing homes and the process by which it was distributed.

Here's our message: