All states › Illinois › Rockford › Willows Health Center
4054 Albright Lane Rockford, IL 61103 · Winnebago County
All 12 nursing homes in Rockford, IL (11 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 146101 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Willows Health Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Willows Health Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Illinois average of 2.6.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 4.91 hours per resident per day at Willows Health Center, above the Illinois median of 3.33 (US median: 3.72). About 1.27 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.09 hours, 17% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Willows Health Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Willows Health Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Illinois's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on November 25, 2025 and found 8 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 26 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 26 citations at Willows Health Center across 8 inspection dates, 7 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on November 25, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (12) and pharmacy service (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents" (tag F0689, level G, November 25, 2025). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
January 26, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
FEmploy staff that are licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with state laws.
December 16, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
November 25, 2025 · 9 citations, includes actual harm
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
November 15, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
January 28, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
September 24, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
August 22, 2024 · 4 citations
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
September 21, 2023 · 6 citations
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Questions to ask on a tour of Willows Health Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on November 25, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on November 25, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 17% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
2 penalties in the last three years, including $12,909 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2025 | Payment Denial | 15 days of payments denied |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Fine | $12,909 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Willows Health Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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1.5 mi
Javon Bea Hospital RockfordEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 4h 18m for patients treated and sent home
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3.8 mi
UW Health Swedishamerican Hospital RockfordEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 37m for patients treated and sent home
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5.6 mi
Saint Anthony Medical Center RockfordEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 43m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Willows Health Center › All nursing homes in Rockford ›
Compare Willows Health Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Avira Health Pavilion · Loves Park · 4 stars · 1.3 mi
- Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital -SNF · Rockford · 4 stars · 1.5 mi
- Amberwood Care Centre · Rockford · 4 stars · 1.5 mi
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.