The Battle to Save Choate Continues
A second lawsuit has been filed in response to plans by Governor Pritzker and IDHS to drastically reduce operations at Choate Mental Health and Development Center. AFSCME Council 31 filed a lawsuit this week in Union County alleging the state has violated three state laws with its plans to significantly downsize Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center and lay off roughly half its 500 workers.
Union County State’s Attorney Tyler Tripp penned a letter to Governor Pritzker and assessed the needs and situation at Choate. Read it for yourself here. Tripp then filed a complaint requesting a restraining order, injunction, and mandamus against DHS Secretary Quintero and DHS staff.
I joined Terry Martin with Illinois Channel to discuss the ongoing issues at DHS. If you would like more background, you can watch that interview here.
We are all fighting to save Choate. The battle rolls on.
I called on DHS Sec. Dulce Quintero to RESIGN!
Secretary Quintero has a unique ability to promote bad employees rather than ensure they take accountability, and this Secretary stalls any type of investigation into CILAs and addressing abuse where it happens. When it happens in SODCs, the Secretary uses it as reasons to shut them down while turning their back on rape, sexual assault, and abuse in CILAs.
Three Years of No Cash Bail is Enough!
Three years after Illinois implemented the elimination of cash bail, the consequences of the state’s pretrial system are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Since the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect, defendants released into Illinois communities have been accused of committing violent crimes, while failures in electronic monitoring have raised serious questions about public safety and accountability.
Cook County has struggled to track defendants placed on electronic monitoring, with roughly 8% reportedly classified as AWOL.
Even Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke has called for reforms, warning that placing violent defendants on electronic monitoring is not a tenable system.
Three years later, Illinoisans are still waiting for meaningful action.
Gov. JB Pritzker has said he is open to changes to the SAFE-T Act, but his words have had no follow through. While Pritzker makes empty promises, House Republicans have introduced more than 40 bills aimed at addressing problems with the state’s pretrial system.
Illinois families deserve a system that protects victims, holds dangerous offenders accountable and gives judges the tools they need to keep dangerous people off the streets.
My Office Has Been Busy
As summer winds down, we are looking back on several successful community events my office hosted! We hosted tire recycling events in Trenton, Nashville, and Greenville which gave residents the opportunity to recycle tires for free. At each of these events, we filled an entire semi-truck full of tires that will be recycled. We received great feedback from the community about these events!
We also held my annual Senior Fair in Highland, which was another huge success. This annual event is a great way to connect seniors with services and providers from across the state.
Our final tire recycling event of the year is coming up on Saturday, September 26th at Triad High School. The event runs from 9-12, and we will be bringing 2 semi trucks. And remember: please bring a MAX of 2 farm tires or 5 car tires to ensure the event can serve as many people as possible. First come, First Served! The Troy Maryville St Jacob Marine Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a shred day, RX Dropoff, eyeglasses recycling, and electronic recycling at the same time. Click here for more information on this event.
Down on the Farm
Honor to Serve
I hope you all enjoyed your summer. It is such an honor to serve as your voice in Springfield. Please know my office is here to help should you need any assistance with a state agency.