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LDC task force grinding away
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[AUG. 27, 2003]
A task force charged with
developing a plan to reopen the Lincoln Developmental Center is
preparing for a third session on Thursday. This week's session, like
last week's, is in Springfield. The first work session, which
included a tour of the facility and grounds, was in Lincoln on Aug.
5.
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It was one year ago that Gov. George
Ryan shut down the facility that served developmentally disabled
people, despite the objections of LDC family members. The
institution was a national-award-winning health care facility only a
few years ago.
The task force members represent a
cross section of different schools of thought about how to best care
for the mentally disabled. There are members who supported LDC as it
was: a large unit facility. There are also special interest groups
that believe small cottage units are more humane. The differing
factions must work together to come up with what will probably be a
combination, using the buildings already present and building
smaller units on the site.
A spokesman for the Department of
Health and Human Services, Thomas Green, said last week's session
was productive, resulting in a drafted vision statement. The vision
statement is considered crucial to future plans for the revamped
institution. It will lead the group in deciding what type of
facility will be opened. The statement will be presented to
Department of Human Services Secretary Carol Adams for her approval.
The group will continue to reach
consensus about which existing buildings will be used in the future
and what, if any, buildings will be built as plans are further
defined.
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While no definite time frames can be
stated for anything, task force members are aware that parents of
past residents, members of the community and others would like to
see the facility reopened as soon as possible. "Part of the group is
pushing to get something up and running," Green said. There is some
consideration being given to restoring some of the existing
buildings, using only part of the funding, and continuing to develop
a more comprehensive plan that might include building smaller group
home units.
"The key is to do it right," Green
said. "It is hard to set a deadline that might inhibit efforts that
might best serve residents in the long run."
The facility will be more
state-of-the-art and more comprehensive than it was previously.
Group members received a new homework
assignment this week. They are working to come up with cost
estimates to fire up the power plant, open buildings and make
renovations
Once a plan
is made and Secretary Adams approves it, it will go before Gov. Rod
Blagojevich for final approval.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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