Saturday, June 29

AFSCME seeks ruling
to halt LDC transfers

[JUNE 29, 2002]  Another round in the battle between the state agency that wants to close the Lincoln Developmental Center and the union and parents who want to save it will come on Monday at 10:30 a.m. when the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees returns to Circuit Judge Don Behle’s Lincoln courtroom.

Steve Yokich, attorney for AFSCME, will ask Judge Behle for a second injunction to prevent the Department of Human Services from beginning the transfer of LDC residents.

The plaintiffs contend that DHS must have a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board in hand before beginning the move of the remaining 242 LDC residents to other state-operated facilities.

 

Lawyers from the attorney generals office, representing DHS, say that because DHS has applied for the permit it can go ahead with the move. DHS spokesman Reginald Marsh confirmed Thursday that the department plans to start transferring residents to other state-operated facilities for the developmentally disabled as soon as next week.

Dan Senters, AFSCME Local 425 spokesman, also confirmed that plans are under way to move 120 residents out of the Lincoln facility next week.

Troubles at LDC began last fall, when allegations of abuse and neglect of residents surfaced. Gov. George Ryan and DHS put in a new management team as well as monitors from other state institutions who were supposed to oversee the residents care. However, continued allegations spurred Ryan to move about 130 residents out of LDC. He said the moves were to ensure the residents health and safety.

 

In March, when LDC faced the threat of further downsizing, Judge Behle issued an injunction that halted any further moves of residents without a permit. By that time, Ryan had announced plans to downsize LDC to 100 residents and about 200 workers. In May, Ryan opted to close LDC completely.

DHS appealed Behles March ruling, and the 4th District Appellate Court heard arguments on Wednesday, June 26. The court has not yet announced its decisions on the issues brought up in the appeal, which include the role of the Health Facilities Planning Board and whether the plaintiffs have a right to sue.

 

 

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Because the governor changed the plans for LDC from downsizing to closure, Yokich told the appellate court he agreed the earlier injunction was no longer in force, but he believed the case was still alive.

"We will be back before Judge Behle," he said on Wednesday. "We filed a motion that they [the state] cant move people until they actually obtain the permit."

Plaintiffs in the suit are AFSCME, which represents most of the workers at LDC; Norlan and Eleanor Newmister, parents of an LDC resident; Don Todd, president of AFSCME local 425; and state Sen. Larry Bomke of Springfield.

 

Union members and parents say LDC was "set up" to fail. They cite the states budget crunch as one reason for closing the 125-year-old facility, and they say the allegations of abuse and neglect were in most cases minor infractions which would ordinarily not be investigated.

Senters also said he believes the state is "trying to get out of the business of taking care of the developmentally disabled because it is too expensive." He believes DHS has plans to close other state institutions as well as LDC.

Parents of LDC residents have been strongly supportive of keeping the facility open, and both gubernatorial candidates have pledged to reverse Gov. Ryans decision.

Defendants in the action are Gov. George Ryan, Secretary of the Department of Human Services Linda Renee Baker and other state officials

The Health Facilities Planning Board is a 15-member group appointed by the governor which represents various health-care constituencies. It is expected to make its report on LDC public early in August. Plaintiffs have until July 5 to request a public hearing in Lincoln sometime before the board meets.

[Joan Crabb]


Every dog has its day and
Main Street says it’s July 20

[JUNE 29, 2002]  Main Street Lincoln will be celebrating man’s best friend with Lincoln’s Dog Daze of Summer. On Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, Main Street Lincoln, along with Best Friends Animal Hospital and Lincoln Animal Hospital, invites all dogs and their owners downtown to the Courthouse Square Historic District to enjoy all the fun.

While in Springfield, Abraham Lincoln often walked to the local market with his dog, Fido. During Lincoln’s visits to the barber, Fido would wait loyally outside.

When Lincoln was elected president, he decided, due to the long train ride, not to take Fido. Lincoln gave Fido to a loving neighbor, with a few guidelines. Fido’s new family was never to scold him, he was never to be tied up alone in the back yard and he was to be welcomed into the home, always. To make Fido feel more at home, Lincoln gave the neighbor their horsehair sofa for Fido to sleep on.

 

After Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Fido was brought back to his home to meet the many mourners. Fido passed away less than a year later.

"After learning of this great Abe Lincoln connection, we knew we had to host this event," said Cindy McLaughlin, Main Street program manager. "Our promotion committee, led by Angela Stoltzenburg, has worked with great passion to ensure a delightful event for dog owners throughout the area."

 

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Dog Daze festivities will begin with a community dog walk, which will be led by our very own Abraham Lincoln and Fido. Contests will include the ugliest dog, fastest tail, largest dog, smallest dog, longest tongue, doggie tricks, best dressed pooch, pet and owner look alike and Abe’s Choice. Agility demonstrations will be given, and the Lincoln Animal Control will be available with information on adoptable dogs.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at the Blue Dig Inn on historic Sangamon Street. Events and demonstrations will be at the courthouse. Owners can preregister for $6 or register on-site for $8. The registration fee includes a participation ribbon and entry to any of the contests. Wading pools and shade will be available during all events.

To preregister, get more information or volunteer, call Cindy McLaughlin, (217) 732-2929.

[Main Street Lincoln press release]

 


It comes once a year

Cubs game for kids

[JUNE 29, 2002]  Once again, for the 11th year running, a good Samaritan has reached out to local youth in an effort to recreate a favorite childhood memory of his. Win or lose, Lloyd Elam thinks every kid should have the chance to see and experience a major league ballgame. Each year he sponsors a bus trip with all the trimmings to a Cubbies game in Chicago.

In conjunction with CIEDC, youth are chosen who might not otherwise get to take such a trip. Elam charters a bus and gives each child $30 in Cub bucks to spend. The children meet at Eagles Lodge at 8 a.m. for breakfast and then leave on the day trip. Eagle volunteers cook a hot breakfast and send along a sack lunch. When the young people return they have fried chicken dinners.

Thirty-eight kids ages 8 to 13 enjoyed this year’s trip, on June 25, even though the Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds 5-2.

[Jan Youngquist]

 


Governor signs Republican proposal
for senior prescription drug plan

[JUNE 29, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — More help is on the way for Illinois seniors looking for affordable prescription drugs, according to Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone. On Thursday, the governor signed into law a proposal by Republican members of the Illinois Senate to improve access to affordable prescription drugs.

"This legislation is not a cure-all for the crisis facing many seniors who struggle to pay for prescription drug bills. However, it is a step in the right direction," said Stone, R-Morton. "Given the state’s current financial condition, it’s as much as we could accomplish this year while still acting in a financially responsible manner."

The plan addresses the senior prescription drug issue in three important ways. The plan creates a central informational clearinghouse, accessible by a toll-free number, where seniors can get details on existing public and private discount programs. The legislation authorizes a study to determine whether there is a need for catastrophic pharmaceutical assistance coverage options for those seniors who do not qualify for public discount programs but have a higher percentage of prescription drug costs. The proposal also requires legislative and public oversight of the state’s various prescription drug discount programs.

Senate Bill 2098 was one of the few bills this year that won unanimous approval in both the Senate and House. It was endorsed by the AARP.

 [News release]

 

 

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