Relatives of Chicago-area nursing home residents who say their loved ones were harmed or died on the facilities’ watch gathered Tuesday, clutching framed photos and demanding answers from a wealthy care owner they accuse of dodging court-ordered settlements. The emotional demonstration zeroed in not only on the homes themselves but also on the corporate webs, families say, shielding powerful operators from paying up.
"All we want is some type of answers and some type of justice," said Yolanda Drain at the gathering. Family members also called for clear information about who really controls the facilities and how legal payouts are handled, according to CBS Chicago.
Relatives singled out Moishe Gubin, a real estate executive with long ties to the long-term care business. Public industry listings identify Gubin as chairman and CEO of Strawberry Fields REIT, which lists roughly 130–142 healthcare facilities in its portfolio, according to Nareit.
Why Nursing Home Ownership Structures Matter
Advocates and families say complex ownership and insurance setups can make it extremely difficult for victims to actually collect on verdicts and settlements. Investor materials for companies that own nursing home real estate describe long-term, triple-net leases that shift operating costs and insurance obligations to third-party operators, a structure critics argue can muddy the trail when it is time to collect, per Strawberry Fields REIT.
Families Turn To Lawmakers For Help
At the rally, relatives urged state lawmakers to close what they described as loopholes that let owners sidestep payouts and underinsure their facilities. Illinois has recently moved to strengthen some protections for nursing home residents, but advocates argue that real financial accountability is still missing. FOX 32 Chicago reported on the new law and the continued push for tougher enforcement.
Legal Tools Exist, But Collecting Is Tough
Victims can try to enforce judgments through citation proceedings, judgment liens and garnishment, yet those tools can be tough to use when assets sit behind multiple corporate entities. Illinois' Code of Civil Procedure lays out citation-to-discover-assets proceedings and other enforcement options creditors may use to track down and seize nonexempt property, according to the state statute.
Reporters reached out to the owner for comment and had not received a response, CBS Chicago noted. Families say they plan to keep pressing lawmakers and working with attorneys to hold owners and operators accountable, while advocates watch to see whether courts or the legislature move to change how financial responsibility is enforced in the industry.
