DCFS, director face lawsuit filed on behalf of jailed wards DCFS, director face lawsuit filed on behalf of jailed wards Friday, January 20, 2023 The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Thursday was named in a federal class-action lawsuit on behalf of children in state care who have been held in juvenile detention centers after a judge ordered their release.
Watchdog seeks harsher penalties in wake of abuse at Choate Watchdog seeks harsher penalties in wake of abuse at Choate Thursday, January 19, 2023 The watchdog for the Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking harsher penalties against health care workers who obstruct abuse and neglect investigations.
Ongoing investigation shows nearly two dozen patients charged with crimes at state-run facility Ongoing investigation shows nearly two dozen patients charged with crimes at state-run facility Thursday, December 22, 2022 Lutrice Williams was 23 and in crisis when she arrived at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural southern Illinois. The Chicago woman, a former foster care youth, had suffered... Read more
Contempt citations against DCFS director reversed by appellate court Contempt citations against DCFS director reversed by appellate court Wednesday, November 30, 2022 An appellate court on Wednesday reversed several contempt of court citations that were filed in recent months against Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith for failing to... Read more
Report Finds 'code of silence' at mental health facility where staff abused and neglected patients Report Finds 'code of silence' at mental health facility where staff abused and neglected patients Friday, November 11, 2022 Several employees at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center attempted to cover up a brutal assault on a patient, according to a new report by the watchdog office within the Illinois... Read more
Pritzker calls for changes after “awful” reports of abuse at developmental center Pritzker calls for changes after “awful” reports of abuse at developmental center Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called patient abuses at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in rural Anna “awful” and “deeply concerning,” and he said the future... Read more
At a remote mental health facility, a culture of cruelty persists despite decades of warnings At a remote mental health facility, a culture of cruelty persists despite decades of warnings Friday, September 2, 2022 Federal and state officials have urged reforms at the rural facility for people with mental and developmental disabilities. But the state-run center still has more allegations of abuse and... Read more
A disabled young patient was sent to get treatment. He was abused instead. And he wasn’t the last. A disabled young patient was sent to get treatment. He was abused instead. And he wasn’t the last. Friday, September 2, 2022 A 24-year-old with developmental disabilities was brutally beaten by his caretakers inside a state-run facility with a long history of patient abuse. Read more