Senator Fine and Representative LaPointe respond to DHS plan to improve Choate Mental Health Center

SPRINGFIELD – This morning, the Illinois Department of Human Services and Governor Pritzker announced their comprehensive plan to improve care at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. Following this announcement, State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Lindsay LaPointe, chairs of the Mental Health Committees in the Senate and House respectively, responded to this plan.

“I am encouraged by the proposed changes from DHS. The safety of mental and behavioral health patients needs to be the top priority,” said Senator Fine. “I applaud DHS and the Governor for announcing a plan that prioritizes patients. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with them and other partners to best support patients at Choate and their caregivers.”  

Equip for Equality, the independent, federally mandated Protection and Advocacy organization; the IDHS Inspector General; and the Illinois State Police have all been reviewing abuse and neglect allegations at Choate and making constructive recommendations to the state about the center’s future. To address the issues found, DHS has proposed a comprehensive plan including:

• Repurposing the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (“Choate”) over three years in partnership with the SIU School of Medicine, and
• Implementing new safety enhancements at Choate and across all state-operated developmental centers including appointing a chief resident safety officer, and
• Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue opportunities for community-based living while continuing to invest in provider capacity.

In coordination with their families and guardians, and with support from the SIU School of Medicine, a majority of the current residents at the Choate Center in Anna who have  intellectual and developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to transition into community-based settings or other state centers where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care.

During the next three years, portions of the Choate campus will be repurposed to meet patient capacity and other urgent state needs. Safe, gradual and carefully planned resident transitions will take place in close coordination with residents themselves, and their families and/or guardians. Resident well-being and dignity will guide every step of the process.

While this initiative will be carried out over several years, IDHS is taking additional, immediate action to protect resident safety, including hiring 10 new staff for the Office of the Inspector General and appointing Ryan Thomas IDHS’ first-ever chief resident safety officer. IDHS is also partnering with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Arc of Illinois to launch a Family Liaison Team to support families, guardians and residents with questions and concerns about the change to provide peer support, resources and friendship for those experiencing fear and/or uncertainty.

“First and foremost, it’s critical that the well-being and dignity of every resident of the Choate campus is prioritized during a thoughtful transition period,” LaPointe said. “Upon hearing media reports of abuse this summer, I traveled to Choate and immediately got to work. I look forward to ongoing work with DHS and others to make this critical plan a reality, which includes relentlessly building up our community-based developmental disabilities system and shrinking our 14,000 person PUNS list."

Senator Fine and Representative LaPointe look forward to seeing this plan in action and collaborating with stakeholders to address issues at Choate. 

Fine encouraged by budget address focus on environment, care for people with developmental disabilities

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker gave his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, proposing budget allocations for FY24. After hearing his remarks, State Senator Laura Fine is highlighting the governor’s proposed investments in environmental protections and services for people with developmental disabilities.

“We need to do all we can to protect our environment. Pollutants are negatively impacting our air and water quality,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Investing in our environment’s protection and sustainability is vital to supporting Illinois’ future. This proposed budget sets a cleaner path for the protection of our children’s generation.”

The proposed budget allocates $580 million to the Department of Natural Resources to invest in environmental protections. It also allocates $870 million to the Environmental Protection Agency, $20 million of which would fund the Electric Vehicle rebate, to remove pollutants and encourage sustainable consumption to slow the progress of climate change.

Additionally, the proposed budget provides over $2 billion for services for people with developmental disabilities—a nearly $200 million increase to previous funding. This investment will support pay raises for direct service providers, increasing staffing at facilities, and more.

“As the chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health committee, improving the quality of life for our most vulnerable residents is a top priority. I am dedicated to investing in the facilities and programs in our state to reach that goal for both residents and staff,” Fine said. “Increasing staffing will ensure residents with developmental disabilities are getting the best care possible from providers in a healthy environment.”

Senator Fine looks forward to working with the governor and her colleagues in the General Assembly to negotiate the finalized budget.

Senator Fine sworn in for second term as State Senator

SPRINGFIELD – On Jan. 11, 2023, State Senator Laura Fine was honored to be sworn into her second term representing the 9^th District.

“It is the privilege of a lifetime to serve my community in the Illinois State Senate,” Fine (D-Glenview) said. “In this next term, I am excited to continue my work increasing mental health care access for people throughout the state.”

Senator Fine joined the Illinois Senate in 2018 after serving in the Illinois House of Representatives. As the chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, Fine has worked to increase access to mental health care for people across the state and incentivize more people to enter the mental health workforce. She has also focused on increasing affordable insurance coverage, protecting our environment, and supporting our seniors.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in this new General Assembly to address several issues impacting our state,” Fine said. “Together, we will work on legislation that will assist and uplift communities across Illinois.” 

Senator Fine represents Illinois’ 9^th District, which includes all or portions of Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Morton Grove, Glenview, Northbrook, Golf and Winnetka. All 59 state senators were sworn into office today to serve in Illinois’ 103^rd General Assembly.

Senator Fine supports investments in mental health services in supplemental state budget

SPRINGFIELD – The state of Illinois is investing in its mental health system.  State Senator Laura Fine, the Chair of the Behavioral and Mental Health committee, proudly supported the supplemental budget that increases vital funding for services.

“For many Illinoisians, access to high-quality mental health care makes a difference in their quality of life,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “This budget increase will grant providers with essential funding, which will enable them to care for more people facing struggles with mental well-being.”

The supplemental budget provides $25 million to state-operated mental health facilities run by the Department of Human Services. Public colleges and universities will also receive $19 million to support their mental health services, and mental health and substance use treatment providers will receive $12 million for stability payments.

Senator Fine believes these investments will be transformative for health care groups working to provide quality, accessible services to Illinoisians.

“With this critical investment in programs, the workforce and facilities, DHS will be able to provide services for more Illinois residents,” Fine said. “This will result in positive outcomes for so many people in need of quality, supportive mental health care.”

The supplemental budget, filed under House Bill 969, passed the Senate on January 10, 2023. It now goes to the House for further consideration.