John O'Connor

John is the editorial director, vice president and associate publisher of McKnight's Senior Living and McKnight's Long-Term Care News. He joined McKnight's in 1990. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he was introduced to journalism, late-night bull sessions and many of his closest friends. Before McKnight's, John worked at a weekly newspaper in Chicago. An avid reader and sports fan, he has a weakness for magazines, biographies and almost anything containing chocolate. John lives in the Chicago area with his wife, Layne, and their two children.

Most recent articles by John O'Connor

Editors' Columns

Why you should be concerned about this pro-union measure

John O'Connor

March 11, 2021

The Protecting the Right to Organize Act is not quite dead on arrival.

Editors' Columns

Temporary relief for senior living’s biggest challenge?

John O'Connor

March 4, 2021

Ask any senior living operator what fuels the most semi-sleepless nights, and you’d best settle in for a lengthy conversation. From COVID-19’s massive destruction, to tougher competition, to increased regulatory oversight, to more lawsuits, to higher insurance costs and more, the list goes on. It also seems to grow by the day. But there is…

Editors' Columns

Operators may soon perk up to vaccine challenge

John O'Connor

February 25, 2021

Most senior living operators soon will need to confront the issue of COVID vaccination, one way or the other.

Editors' Columns

Do you know what it feels like to get hit by a board?

John O'Connor

February 18, 2021

Operators had best prepare for a new reality at the NLRB. Barring an unforeseen development, there’s going to be a yet another new sheriff in town.

Editors' Columns

Senior living operators better brace for new labor pains

John O'Connor

February 11, 2021

An undeniable consequence of the November elections is that Democrats now rule the roost in Washington. And it appears that one of their first orders of business is to rebalance labor relations — and not in ways most managers are likely to welcome.

Editors' Columns

Mind if I cut in?

John O'Connor

February 4, 2021

Given the high demand for COVID-19 vaccines and a very limited supply, line-jumping seems to be emerging as our new national pastime.

Editors' Columns

Senior living braces for a workplace shift

John O'Connor

January 28, 2021

From strictly a policy perspective, President Trump was more of a business person’s ally. But he was defeated by a man who promised to bring a lot of change. And this week we got a real taste of how that promise might be kept.

Editors' Columns