DeKalb Times

Recent reports of abuse at the state's mental health facilities have prompted Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) to call attention to the need to provide proper care for vulnerable individuals.

“Each year as Illinois legislators craft the annual budget, facilities that provide care to our most vulnerable should be near the front of the line for budgetary dollars,” he wrote.

In his Facebook post, Chesney shared a link to a longer column he wrote on the topic.

"Recent investigative reports by ProPublica, Capitol News Illinois, and Lee Enterprises revealed that the mistreatment of patients at Choate (Developmental Center) dates back three decades and that more than 40 criminal investigations had taken place over the last decade alone," Chesney wrote. "Since 2015, it was reported that criminal felony charges have been filed against 49 people with ties to Choate. The reports are sickening and warrant immediate action. Shortly after the news reports were published, every Republican member of the Senate and House - all 59 of us - signed a letter that urged the immediate convening of a public, joint, bicameral hearing of the five Senate and House Committees that oversee policy discussions related to health and human services, behavioral and mental health, and the funding of those services and facilities. The letter was sent to the Democratic committee chairpersons of those committees, and as of this writing, no public hearings have been scheduled."

According to ProPublica, Choate is one of 13 psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers operated by IDHS. The 270-bed facility serves people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, including people diagnosed with “profound” disabilities and some who are nonverbal. The ProPublica article also notes that all 59 Republican legislators in the Illinois General Assembly have sought answers regarding the situation at Choate and the closure.

WSILTV reported that Choate will be repurposed. Residents of Choate will have an opportunity to move into community-based settings or other state centers where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care, according to WSIL-TV. 

But advocates are still concerned about this change. "We’re extremely concerned about the fate of Choate Developmental Center residents and the employees who make Choate home for them," AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. "We intend to make certain that the well-being of the more than 200 residents of the Choate home is given the foremost consideration, now and in the future. AFSCME will work to protect the jobs of Choate's dedicated and compassionate employees, and our union will continue our close alliance with the Friends of Choate family group to ensure that no resident is forced out of their home without their consent."

Chesney was a member of the Mental Health Committee between 2019 to 2020.

Chesney has represented the 89th District since December 2018. He has served as an elected member of the Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of the Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP)—an organization that provides support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.