State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) is sharing his concerns about a report released by the “self-proclaimed government watchdog” Equip for Equality on the abuse and neglect reported at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center located in Anna, Illinois. According to the report released by Equip for Equality, “no individuals with developmental disabilities should remain at Choate.”
“This self-proclaimed watchdog calling for the closure of Choate turned a blind eye for 20 years when they knew about the abuse and neglect at Choate Mental Health,” said Rep. Meier. “I don’t understand why they didn’t notify the Inspector General of this abuse back then. Now they want to displace our most vulnerable by moving them into group homes that have been known for starving, neglecting, and raping our most vulnerable?”
In February 2023, every member of the House and Senate Republican Caucuses signed on to a letter demanding joint committee hearings to investigate reports of abuse and neglect at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. In addition to lawmakers’ request for public hearings, Rep. Charlie Meier revealed his plan called ‘Help Protect Us and Improve Our Home’ which offered eleven changes needed to make improvements at Choate.
Rep. Meier added, “One thing we all agree on is that changes need to be made at Choate. I believe Choate can be saved. The ‘Help Protect Us and Improve Our Home’ proposal is a realistic plan to help make the improvements needed at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. I will fight to keep Choate Mental Health open just as I fought to keep Murray Center Open. I look forward to the day when we can all work together to protect everyone living under state care that has an intellectual or developmental disability.”