Reports of abuse, neglect and improper procedure have spurred an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that will be conducting an audit of the State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODC), specifically the Choate, Shapiro, and Mabley Centers, for abuse and neglect.
“Frankly, I am just sick to my stomach hearing about these incidents, " remarked Fritts. "These are just a few of the horrific examples of the abuse and neglect patients have experienced at Mabley. Imagine how many more individuals will never have their stories told because they went unreported."
The Jack Mabley Developmental Center, located in Dixon, is one of three centers for adults with severe developmental disabilities included in this investigation.
“Unfortunately, Mabley Developmental Center has been rife with issues and utter mismanagement for years,” said Rep. Fritts. “Numerous cases of abuse and neglect have been reported at this facility that is supposed to protect and care for Illinoisans who have developmental disabilities."
Rep. Charlie Meier, who has been a staunch advocate for people with developmental disabilities since taking office, focused on the disasters that have happened at the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). Meier pointed to several reported incidents of abuse at Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs), that are not properly reported or investigated.
“Without DHS acknowledging their lack of oversight and the tragic abuse that happens at CILAs and SODCs as a result of their negligence, these tragedies of abuse will continue to be allowed to occur with no responses,” Meier said. “I am glad to help fight abuse anywhere, and it should all be stopped. It seems strange that we don’t follow up on our small CILAs.”
Rep. Meier urged DHS to take immediate action to ensure that those responsible for the care of individuals with disabilities are held accountable.
Rep. Sheehan spoke about the importance of safeguarding children and the need for DCFS to fulfill its mission. He highlighted alarming statistics showing that since July 2018, DCFS has failed to produce incident-specific reports for over 1,200 child deaths and more than 3,000 serious injuries under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
“The frontline workers at DCFS are dedicated and work tirelessly, but they’re overburdened and lack the resources they need to protect the children in their care,” Rep. Sheehan said. “This is not their failure; it’s a failure of leadership and outdated practices.”
Rep. Jeff Keicher urged immediate action to address chaos at state agencies that, under Governor J.B. Pritzker’s leadership, have been riddled with controversy amidst reports of abuse, neglect, and improper procedures.
“Gov. Pritzker has been in office for six years, and, during that time, he and Democrats in the legislature have increased the annual state budget from $39 billion to $54 billion annually,” said Keicher. “Yet, we still have core agencies – DCFS, DHS – that are failing our most vulnerable.
“It’s time for the Governor and Democrats to stop the banter and join us in reform efforts to end this chaos at state agencies.”
Watch the press conference: