Nurses and their supporters at the Maryville Behavioral Health Hospital in Des Plaines started picketing outside the facility Monday. The nurses plan to picket through Saturday.
Illinois Nurses Association Executive Director Alice J. Johnson says the nurses want a safe working environment.
Maryville spokesman John Gorman says the hospital has stopped admitting patients and the 18 remaining patients, mostly teenagers, are well cared for. Gorman says some nurses scheduled to work Monday's morning shift showed up and were caring for patients.
