By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker – as of Feb. 16 – sounds as if he is ready to give up on the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.

“If we can’t take care of the problems, if the problems can’t be fully addressed, then we ought to close it down,” Pritzker said when asked about it at an unrelated event. “The state obviously, in that area, is incapable of managing the facility properly.”

A cascade of bad news has swamped the facility, with allegations of employee misconduct, including abuse of patients and a culture of cover-ups. Choate houses more than 200 residents.

And, says State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), closing Choate is exactly the wrong thing to do.

“I know deeply in my heart, I feel deeply in my heart, that there is no one – absolutely no one! – that wants to see this facility close.”

Fowler, joined by other lawmakers from southern Illinois, want public hearings and 50-80 new hires. The group says the money’s appropriated for that, just not spent. And they dispute the governor’s contention that it would be difficult to find enough potential workers available and interested.

From IL Department of Human Services

“The vast majority of workers at State developmental centers perform crucial and compassionate care to vulnerable residents. Anyone who violates their duty to provide dignified care should be held fully accountable. At IDHS, the safety and well-being of residents and patients is our top priority. In cooperation with the IDHS Inspector General and the Illinois State Police, IDHS has identified, reported and taken disciplinary action, as appropriate, in individual cases of misconduct.

The Division of Developmental Disabilities has taken numerous steps to ensure the best possible care for residents and patients at Choate. Implemented reforms include: additional staff training by and in consultation with an external expert, increased security and surveillance​, Increased security and surveillance​ cameras installed in approved indoor and outdoor areas, increased security staff and management presence in living areas and professional staff presence after hours, additional independent, third-party review​ through Equip for Equality, a special review by the IDHS Office of the Inspector General of resident abuse reporting practices, and visible, physical improvements to Choate living areas. The center added a collaboration with Illinois State Police as well as a Senior Onsite Liaison reporting to the Director and Secretary.

Additionally, the DD Division at IDHS is receiving technical assistance from the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services to build additional I/DD community capacity and to provide more support for residents. We take the longstanding problems at Choate very seriously and remain committed to providing good, quality care for residents and patients at the facility. We will continue to work with families, staff, residents, and other stakeholders to carry out the mission of helping people with disabilities and others in need across Illinois.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].