Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law the Vulnerable Adults Protection Act, which tightens supervision of sex offenders in nursing homes and other facilities. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan proposed such a law earlier this year following the discovery that unregistered sex offenders were living at an Evergreen Park nursing home.

The law ensures that nursing home administrators, staff and residents are aware of felons in their facilities. Under the law, nursing homes will only be permitted to admit such criminals if they meet state standards for close monitoring and are able to keep them separate from other residents.

The law also requires that nursing home residents and their family, as well as local law enforcement officials, be notified in writing when sex offenders and other felons are living in their nursing home.