Should the state of Illinois close a developmental center in Dixon, even though the federal government is asking questions about two other state institutions? That question was asked during a hearing that will help decide the fate of the Jack Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon.
The Jack Mabley Developmental Center is one of five mental health and development centers Governor Quinn is proposing closing. Out of the five centers Mabley is the smallest, with 87 residents and 157 employees. Which is why the Department of Human Services says it is being targeted for closure?
"The budget has to be implemented now or we'll run out of money later in the year. These are serious budget challenges for us," says David Vaught, Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
"Even with one of the most aggressive clearance plans system wide that we could imagine, there would still be a deficit of $34-million," says Secretary of the Department of Human Services Michelle Saddler.
"The budget shortfall puts in the position where we're going to have to do this more quickly than we probably should frankly," adds Kevin Casey, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
The officials that testified also said the savings will be minimal at first, because the state would have to pay for most residents to enter community based homes. The state says the majority of residents at Jack Mabley will go into community care facilities and about a dozen will be placed at other state run institutions. However, families of Mabley residents say their loved ones thrive in Dixon and they do not want them moved.
"There are no openings in the community. So, I don't know where these individuals are going to go. Are you going them going to the other state operated facilities further away from their families and supports? Are we going to warehouse people? Isn't that what we're here about, not warehousing people and that's exactly what we'll be doing," says Barbara Achino.
"Once my wife and I are gone, there's no one to look after my boys. I feel secure where they're at Mabley and if this comes to an end I don't know what we'll do," adds Joseph Achino.
"He is integrated into the community, but he has loving staff caring for him at the same time. He is safe and the community is safe," says Mary Riley.
The commission will take all the testimony into account and make a recommendation to the Governor about closing Mabley. As for the centers who are being questioned by the federal government, officials from the Department of Human Services say that happens when something is wrong at a facility. The state did not say which institutions are being looked at, only that Jack Mabley Developmental Center is not one of them.
#Source: KWQC6 Oct 17, 2011
http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=15716661
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