Stephenson County committee hears pleas to retain TCM as nursing center reports rising census and large receivables

Stephenson County officials heard public appeals to retain management company TCM and received a detailed operations update for the county nursing center during a committee meeting that also approved routine claims and voted to enter executive session.

The most immediate issue raised during public comment was the county27s dispute with TCM over unpaid management fees. Jody Potts, who identified herself during public comment, said, "I believe that what you're doing, by getting rid of TCM is really reckless." Another resident from Freeport praised the company27s recent work, saying TCM had taken the facility "from crisis" and helped increase its star rating.

Marcus (role not specified), who delivered the facility report to the committee, said the nursing center27s census had risen to 48 and that December admissions totaled eight. Marcus said average monthly census for December was 44 and that the facility had increased admissions since December 2023, when the census was reported as 38. He also described operational details including staffing, dietary and maintenance work, and preparations for an annual survey.

Why it matters: The management dispute and the facility27s finances bear directly on the nursing center27s operations and its ability to maintain staffing,…