All states › Illinois › Sterling › The Citadel of Sterling
105 East 23rd Street Sterling, IL 61081 · Whiteside County
All 3 nursing homes in Sterling, IL (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 145278 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is The Citadel of Sterling 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 The Citadel of Sterling 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 3.19 hours per resident per day at The Citadel of Sterling, below the Illinois median of 3.33 (US median: 3.72). About 0.50 of those hours are from registered nurses. Weekend staffing is close to its all-week average. 33.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Illinois median 43.5%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at The Citadel of Sterling: Medicare and Medicaid
The Citadel of Sterling 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 April 30, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 25 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 25 citations at The Citadel of Sterling across 8 inspection dates, 6 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on June 12, 2024. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (13) and nutrition and dietary (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health" (tag F0692, level G, June 12, 2024). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 30, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
August 18, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DGive the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
April 30, 2026 · 3 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 22, 2025 · 12 citations
FEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
November 13, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
June 12, 2024 · 4 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
EHonor 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 pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
January 25, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
November 3, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Questions to ask on a tour of The Citadel of Sterling
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on June 12, 2024 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 May 22, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 1 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 1 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $11,213 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2024 | Fine | $11,213 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near The Citadel of Sterling
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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0.4 mi
Cgh Medical Center SterlingEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 3h 18m for patients treated and sent home
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11.5 mi
OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center DixonEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 0m for patients treated and sent home
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13.4 mi
Morrison Community Hospital MorrisonEmergency roomMedian ER visit 2h 4m 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 The Citadel of Sterling › All nursing homes in Sterling ›
Compare The Citadel of Sterling with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Other Citadel Healthcare nursing homes in Illinois
- Citadel Care Center-Wilmette · Wilmette · 5 stars
- The Citadel of Glenview · Glenview · 5 stars
- The Citadel of Northbrook · Northbrook · 4 stars
- Citadel at Saint Benedict · Niles · 4 stars
- Amberwood Care Centre · Rockford · 4 stars
- Citadel at Casa Scalabrini · Northlake · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 19 Citadel Healthcare nursing homes ›
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.