Winnebago County, Illinois · Nursing home
Willows Health Center
3 of 5 overall from CMS
4054 Albright Lane, Rockford, IL 61103
At a glance
- Overall rating 3 of 5 Above the state average of 2.5
- Nurse time per resident, per day 5.21 hours Above the state average of 3.45
- Nursing staff who left in a year Not reported
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 26 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $12,909 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 60.6% of 50 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Willows Health Center is a 50-bed nursing home in Rockford, Illinois (Winnebago County). CMS rates it 3 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 5.21 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Illinois average of 3.45. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $12,909 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 50
- Residents per day (average)
- 30.3
- Certified since
- 2006 (20 yrs)
Non profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidContinuing care retirement community
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Willows Health Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $12,909 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 13 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Nov 25, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Illinois average is 12.6. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 4.31 hours per resident on weekends against 5.21 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 3 of 5 Illinois average 2.5
- Health inspections 3 of 5 Illinois average 2.7
- Staffing 4 of 5 Illinois average 2.1
- Quality measures 4 of 5 Illinois average 3.0
The vertical line marks the Illinois average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 5.21 h Illinois average 3.45
- Nurse aides 2.92 h Illinois average 2.09
- Licensed practical nurses 0.69 h Illinois average 0.64
- Registered nurses 1.60 h Illinois average 0.72
- All staff, weekends 4.31 h Illinois average 3.07
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 8 hours. The vertical line marks the Illinois average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnoverNot reported
- Illinois average44.5%
- Registered nurse turnoverNot reported
- Illinois average41.8%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Illinois and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 19.2% | 13.4% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 3.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 1.4% | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 0.0% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 0.0% | 54.2% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 4.7% | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 92.2% | 90.3% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Too few residents or stays to report | 14.3% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 15.4% | 18.3% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 91.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 2.7% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 31.4% | 20.6% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Too few residents or stays to report | 21.7% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 2.02 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 2.22 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 86.5% | 69.7% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 1.4% | 2.2% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 34.4% | 63.1% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 27.5% | 26.1% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 18.3% | 13.9% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 26 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 7 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Nov 25, 2025: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2025 | 13 | 11 |
| Aug 22, 2024 | 7 | 15 |
| Sep 21, 2023 | 6 | 7 |
Illinois homes averaged 12.6 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (26)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Employ staff that are licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with state laws.
Complaint investigation · Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 2, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2026)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 17, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 11, 2025)
Show 21 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 26, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Complaint investigation · Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 10, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Complaint investigation · Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 10, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 10, 2024)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 6, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 13, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 6, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 13, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2023)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2025 | Payment Denial | 15 days |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Fine | $12,909 |
Illinois homes averaged 2.2 fines and $111,013 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Illinois
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Willows Health Center?
Willows Health Center has an overall rating of 3 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 3, staffing is 4 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Willows Health Center have?
Willows Health Center has 50 certified beds. It averages 30.3 residents per day, about 60.6% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Willows Health Center?
The home reports 5.21 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.60 hours from registered nurses. The Illinois average is 3.45 hours and 0.72 hours from registered nurses.
Has Willows Health Center been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $12,909 in the past three years. It also lists 1 payment denial.
Does Willows Health Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 2 of 5 River Bluff Nursing Home 304beds 50.1%in use 4.19nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Rock River Health Care 130beds 57.4%in use 2.69nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Avira Health Pavilion 54beds 47.0%in use 5.63nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Winnebago County
Who to call in Illinois
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Illinois.
- Long-term care ombudsman Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 1-800-252-8966 (Senior HelpLine) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Central Complaint Registry 1-800-252-4343 The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Illinois staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 146101. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.