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Lincolnwood seniors and Carrington leaders urge board to narrow or drop $900 lift‑assist fee
Summary
Residents from Carrington and Lincolnwood Place asked the board to exclude independent living and rescind or limit a $900 lift‑assist fee, arguing it punishes vulnerable seniors and may exceed the 'actual' costs allowed under state law; the board referred further discussion to Feb. 3.
Dozens of Lincolnwood residents urged the village board on Jan. 6 to narrow or rescind a recently adopted lift‑assist ordinance that would allow the village to charge up to $900 for firefighters’ lift‑assist responses.
"I'm here to address how the village intends to implement the lift assist ordinance," Ronald Farkas said, adding that independent living residents at his facility should not be charged and that Illinois law (an amendment to chapter 65 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes) requires fees be "reasonable" and limited to "actual" personnel and equipment costs.
Why it matters: residents and facility leaders said the fee would fall hardest on older, low‑income and otherwise vulnerable people who cannot control falls. The board heard a 232‑signature petition opposing the fee, presented by resident and attorney Marvin Ginsberg, and heard from Brad Jacobson, executive director at the Carrington, who said the charge would feel "punitive" to residents and asked the board to pursue other savings if revenue is needed.
Several speakers asked the board to exempt independent living portions of senior facilities. "Our independent living residents sign a lease that says we do not handle their healthcare," Suzanne Venema, executive director at Lincolnwood Place, said. She warned that billing a single fee at the facility level would shift costs to residents or the operator.
Mayor Patel told speakers the item is not scheduled for action tonight and said he intends to place lift‑assist on the committee of the whole agenda for Feb. 3 for "further discussion and actionable potentially discussion"; no board vote was taken on Jan. 6.
Board response and next steps: Trustees and staff did not adopt or amend the ordinance at the meeting. Mayor Patel and staff directed residents seeking more immediate answers to village staff and noted the committee of the whole will take up the matter Feb. 3. The petition and multiple resident statements will be available to the board as part of that follow‑up.
The board's next regular meeting, when staff said three related technology agreements will be presented for consideration, is Jan. 20; the committee of the whole will discuss lift‑assist on Feb. 3.
