South West Illinois News

Sen. Terri Bryant shared a letter from the Friends of Choate to Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the facility's fate. 

In the June 28, 2022, election, Bryant ran unopposed in her efforts to serve the residents of District 58.

"Excellent letter written to Governor Pritzker by the President of Friends of Choate" Bryant said. "Please call Governor Pritzker and ask him to reconsider the move of the residents of Choate."

Bryant shared a link to an advertisement from the Friends of Choate in The Southern. The letter from Rita Burke, president of the Friends of Choate, outlines several concerns about the removal of 123 Choate Developmental Center’s residents from their homes. The letter notes that they were assured that Choate would not be closing, and that reports of abuse at Choate were used as justification to close the facility, although, as Burke writes “it is Choate’s system of accountability that ensured that these cases were reported and referred for prosecution. It is this system of accountability that is being twisted against Choate to justify the closure of its units."

According to ProPublica, Choate is one of 13 psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers operated by IDHS. The 270-bed facility serves people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, including people diagnosed with “profound” disabilities and some who are nonverbal. The ProPublica article also notes that all 59 Republican legislators in the Illinois General Assembly have sought answers regarding the situation and Choate and the closure, so Bryant isn’t alone in her concern.

WSILTV notes that Choate will be repurposed. Residents of Choate will have an opportunity to move into community-based settings or other state centers, where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care, according to WSILTV. But advocates are still concerned about this change. 

"We’re extremely concerned about the fate of Choate Developmental Center residents and the employees who make Choate home for them," AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. "We intend to make certain that the well-being of the more than 200 residents of the Choate home is given the foremost consideration, now and in the future. AFSCME will work to protect the jobs of Choate's dedicated and compassionate employees, and our union will continue our close alliance with the Friends of Choate family group to ensure that no resident is forced out of their home without their consent."