SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) and disability advocates held a press conference in Springfield to spotlight a series of reform bills aimed at addressing critical failures within the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).
Guardianship advocate Danita Dorsey, President of the Murray Parents Association Rita Winkeler, and Phoenix Horizon Psychology co-founders Krystal Oswald and Whitney Aubrecht joined Rep. Charlie Meier to call for immediate action on three key pieces of legislation.
“Governor JB Pritzker’s leadership at DHS has been a complete failure,” said Rep. Charlie Meier. “An audit I requested exposed serious concerns, including facility deficiencies, reporting failures, lack of oversight, and limited accountability. These issues should not be controversial, but failures at the highest levels of state government have put politics ahead of the well-being of individuals in state care.”
Last year, Danita Doresy was told that she would need to surrender guardianship of her son, Gregory, in order for him to receive state care. Knowing this was wrong, Danita reached out to Rep. Charlie Meier. Together, they successfully advocated for Gregory’s placement to the Murray Center in Centralia. That experience led to Rep. Charlie Meier introducing House Bill 5129, which would prohibit the state from requiring families to relinquish guardianship to access care services.
“No parent should be forced into the position that I faced,” said Danita Dorsey. “The system meant to support families instead pressured me to give up my rights. HB 5129 would ensure no family is coerced into surrendering guardianship to receive necessary care.”
Murray Parents Association President Rita Winkeler discussed another important piece of legislation to streamline the process for individuals to be readmitted to State-Operated Development Centers (SODCs) if their condition worsens after transitioning to Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). House Bill 5458 removes administrative barriers that can delay critical care.
“It is deeply concerning that families who want their loved ones returned to an SODC from a CILA often face significant pushback,” Winkeler said. “Families and caretakers should have the final say in decisions about their loved ones’ care, which is why it is important to pass HB 5458.”
Co-founder of Phoenix Horizon Psychology Krystal Oswald discussed a loophole that allows for some serious events to go unreported and uninvestigated at DHS facilities.
“House Bill 1122 addresses inconsistencies in identifying medical emergencies, clarifies expectations for notifying medical personnel, and improves communication among care teams,” Oswald said. “By reducing ambiguity, the bill strengthens accountability and promotes a culture where safety and early intervention are prioritized.”
Rep. Charlie Meier stressed the importance of working with advocates who fight for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
“Our state should be partnering with these advocates – not fighting against them,” said Rep. Charlie Meier. “I urge the Democratic supermajority to listen to the families and professionals who are directly impacted and work with us to implement meaningful, overdue reforms at DHS.”
For more information on Rep. Charlie Meier’s legislation, visit www.ilga.gov.
Watch the press conference below.
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State Representative Charlie Meier represents the 109th district which includes portions or all of Bond, Clinton, Madison, St. Clair, and Washington counties. For more information, please visit CharlieMeier.net or call his office at 618-651-0405.