Lake County Gazette

A new campaign ad for Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) reminds prospective voters that he sponsored legislation that loosened visitation rules for patients with COVID-19. "As your State Senator I have one priority - deliver for my constituents," McConchie posted on Facebook.

McConchie’s new ad features Lake County resident Kellie Sheridan, who says, "When my grandfather got COVID and ended up in the hospital, he was all alone. In his final moments, my grandfather deserved family by his side. We called everyone for help. Only one person took action: Dan McConchie. Dan cared. He spent hours texting, calling. Dan brought together leaders in both parties to ensure this never happens again. Thank you, Dan McConchie. You made a difference."

McConchie was the primary sponsor of Senator Bill 1405, which amended the Medical Patient Rights Act, removing language that gave total power to health care facilities to regulate and restrict hours of a visitation or the number of visitors per patient.

SB 1405 requires nursing homes and other health care facilities to allow residents or patients to have at least one visitor in the event of public health emergencies in Illinois. A member of the clergy would not count as the one visitor. Visitors could be subject to health screenings prior to entering the health care facility.

"Unfortunate circumstances can lead to positive changeby those willing to fight for reform. A few months ago Kellie Sheridan, one of my constituents, reached out to my office about her grandfather, Robert McGinnis, who had passed away earlier this year. He died alone in the hospital with COVID-19," McConchie said in an April Facebook post, the Lake County Gazette reported. "Barred from being with him, the family experienced the emotional and mental toll this isolation had on their grandfather and were determined to ensure no one else would die alone. Working with hospitals, nursing homes and long term care facilities, myself and state Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) helped pass SB 1405, an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill that will require nursing home and hospital residents to have visitation rights during a health emergency. Rep. Bos and I honored Kellie and her family last week to thank them for their advocacy and bringing this legislation forward that will allow families all across Illinois to be with their loved ones and hold their hand in their final moments."