
Report
TheVardellReport
Elevate Care Waukegan
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2222 Audrey Nixon Boulevard
Waukegan, IL 60085

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2222 Audrey Nixon Boulevard
Waukegan, IL 60085
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 18 inspections from October 2023 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 63 findings at Elevate Care Waukegan; 63 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 5 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 15 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 | 14 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 | 25 | 0 |
Chronology
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
22 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
10 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $14,333 imposed January 15, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of January 15, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,610 imposed November 19, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of January 15, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
12 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $5,340 imposed October 8, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 13, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $14,433 imposed October 8, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 13, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,048 imposed November 15, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 13, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F584 in October 2023, December 2023, March 2026 and July 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F600 in May 2024, July 2024, January 2025 and July 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F677 in December 2023, November 2024, April 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F692 in December 2023, December 2023, January 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F689 in October 2023, October 2024 and March 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F880 in December 2023, January 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F554 in December 2023 and January 2025. This citation covers whether a resident who keeps and takes their own medication has been assessed as safe to do so. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F609 in June 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether suspected abuse, neglect or theft is reported to the authorities on time, with the results of the home’s investigation. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F679 in December 2023 and January 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F684 in May 2024 and October 2024. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F690 in December 2023 and March 2026. This citation covers continence care, catheter care and preventing urinary tract infections. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F804 in January 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether food and drink are palatable, attractive and served at a safe temperature. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F805 in December 2023 and March 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in December 2023 and March 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F883 in January 2025 and March 2026. The agency describes it this way: Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level D.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level G.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level G.
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you decide whether a resident may keep and take their own medications?
Residents Taking Their Own Medication: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F679 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do nurses make sure a doctor’s orders are carried out, and how are families told when something is missed?
Quality of Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How is continence care scheduled, and how do you prevent urinary infections?
Continence and Catheter Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?
Food Quality and Temperature: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F805 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F805: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F883 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F883: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $12,610 civil money penalty was imposed November 19, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds five enforcement actions in the window.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Illinois state survey agency.
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Oct 20, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Dec 6, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Dec 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jan 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection May 6, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection May 20, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jul 2, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Oct 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Oct 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Nov 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jan 15, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Apr 8, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jun 23, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jul 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Nov 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Mar 11, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Apr 22, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Illinois state survey agency
Inspection Jul 22, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 145669
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 20, 2023 – October 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.