DOJ investigates abuse of disabled patients in Illinois

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has started an investigation into how Illinois cares for people with developmental disabilities. This inquiry will look into whether the state provides enough resources for community living and if it protects residents from harm in institutions. Tonya Piephoff, a state official, informed employees about the investigation in a letter. She stated it would examine if the state is unnecessarily putting adults with intellectual disabilities at risk of being institutionalized. Illinois has one of the largest populations of people with developmental disabilities living in state-run facilities in the U.S. The investigation will also focus on abuse and neglect claims at three institutions, including the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. This facility has been in the spotlight since 2022, when reports of staff abuse and neglect surfaced. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker mentioned that the state is making improvements to ensure the safety of these individuals. Changes include installing cameras to monitor staff and helping residents move to safer environments. However, he did not comment on whether the state relies too much on institutions for care. The DOJ's current investigation is expected to be more extensive than a previous one from 2007, which found that Choate mismanaged care and failed to protect residents. Recent reports from Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica revealed troubling cases of abuse at the facility, including physical and verbal mistreatment by staff. Governor Pritzker called the abuse allegations “awful” and said the state would implement necessary changes. Despite this, reports show that the state has not fulfilled its promises to help residents transition into community homes. An advocacy group highlighted that many individuals still end up in other institutions rather than community settings. The reliance on state-run facilities is called outdated and oppressive. The DOJ's investigation aims to address these issues. A Supreme Court ruling from 1999 stated that patients with disabilities should be placed in community settings if they want and can live outside of institutions. Many individuals in Illinois, including 242 residents, want to explore living in community homes. As complaints about abuse continue to rise, the Office of Inspector General reported receiving over 15,000 allegations in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing care for people with developmental disabilities in Illinois.