ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Two Rockford nursing home residents are in police custody today with two more under close watch after a surprise inspection by the Illinois Attorney General, and more "surprises" are to come.

"All nursing homes throughout the state of Illinois should be on high alert. We could show up any day," said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

A Rockford nursing home is the latest to feel the sting of "Operation Guardian." It's a program led by Illinois' Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, to ensure current and former criminals are being tracked. As a result four residents of Park Strathmoor nursing home were found with outstanding arrest warrants.

"I was very concerned for my mother's safety knowing that there's people in there that possibly have warrants. Surely they're in here for medical reasons or something so I'm sure that there's probably no harm for them to give but yet who knows," said Jill Pellegrino.

Pellegrino's 91-year old mother has been living at Park Strathmoor for the past 6 years with severe dementia. She feels her mom could become a victim and not even know it if nursing homes fail to obey the law and report all criminals.

"People who have criminal histories are not being denied care but... We do not want a situation where elderly, vulnerable individuals are going to be harmed in our nursing homes," said Madigan.

The checks began 7 months ago. So far 16 facilities have had surprise visits resulting in 84 un-reported arrest warrants, 22 arrests and 10 missing persons being found. Madigan says Park Strathmoor had the right information on its residents but was not reporting them to the department of public health.

"If those laws are not enforced they don't help the cause. They aren't ensuring the safety of residents," said Madigan.

"I don't say that they don't need the help too, but yeah I do agree that this is a very good idea. Let's get it enforced better though," said Pellegrino.

There were no violent offenders among today's arrests. One person, from Will County, was arrested on failure to appear in court. The other, from Chicago, was taken in for a DUI.

The two not arrested are from Winnebago County. One has a failure to appear warrant and the other a fraud warrant.

No facility is safe from surprise checks but Madigan said previous violations, a high level of complaints and the number of phone calls her office receives from concerned friends, family and even staff members all weigh into who receives their next visit.

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