Committee places lift-assist fee ordinance on debate amid concerns for vulnerable residents

The Springfield City Council committee voted to move into debate an ordinance that would amend Chapter 94, Article 9 of the 1988 city code to authorize charging fees to assisted‑living facilities, independent living facilities, nursing care and nursing home facilities for lift‑assist responses by public safety personnel.

Alderman Williams said facility operators had contacted him with concerns that many residents at affected facilities are on Medicare or Medicaid and asked who would be billed. The chief clarified the ordinance is written to bill the facility, not the individual resident: "It is a fee to the facility," the chief said, adding some municipalities give facilities a limited number of free passes before charging.

Committee members discussed comparable fees in other Illinois cities; the chief said Decatur charges $500 and Peoria about $800, and noted a few municipalities bill individuals, but Springfield's proposal bills facilities. Several aldermen asked staff to refine the ordinance language so it expressly excludes calls requiring emergency medical treatment or transport; corporation counsel said the draft attempts this by defining "lift assist" as moving a person who does not require emergency medical treatment or transportation but agreed to review the definition for clarity.

Alderman Gregory and others supported a one‑year sunset for the ordinance so the city could evaluate effects and unintended consequences, including whether facilities would shift costs to residents. Alderman Donilon asked corporation counsel to explore whether home‑rule authority provides tools to prevent facilities from passing fees on to residents.

The committee voted to place the ordinance on the debate agenda for further study.