The facts on Quinn's plan to close Illinois facilities
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[January 26, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn is
launching a major push to move mentally ill and disabled people out
of institutions and into communities. That means big changes for
hundreds of people in state care, economic blows to the towns where
facilities will be closed and turmoil for the government employees
losing their jobs.
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Most advocates for the disabled back the plan but wonder whether
sick or disabled people will get the necessary care in group homes
or living with their families. Others wonder why the Jacksonville
Developmental Center and the Tinley Park Mental Center are first on
the list to close. Here's a look at some of the issues and the
facts behind them:
"OBJECTIVE"
The administration says the Jacksonville and Tinley Park
facilities were the first picked for closure because they scored
worst in rankings based on objective criteria like physical
condition, difficulties in recruiting staff and economic impact on
the surrounding communities.
You'll have to take Quinn's word for that, however. He won't
release those rankings, so there's no way to tell how Jacksonville
compared with similar facilities in Anna or Chester, or how Tinley
Park matched up against other mental hospitals.
The governor is releasing the final scores for the two
facilities, but knowing that Jacksonville was rated a "3" on staff
recruitment doesn't allow for comparisons with other institutions.
Quinn isn't releasing any of the data his staff used to calculate
the scores, making it impossible to review the work and check for
potential errors.
Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, was one of four lawmakers asked
to give the administration input on the criteria for closure. He
complains that he was denied information about how the
administration ranked the facilities and got the sense that Quinn's
team made its decision and then adjusted the criteria to fit.
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"ON THE BACKS"
Some critics accuse Quinn of trying to balance the state budget
on the backs of disabled people. If Quinn is doing this to balance
the budget, he's going to be sorely disappointed.
His aides say the goal is to improve people's lives, not save
money. They predict closing the Jacksonville and Tinley Park
facilities will save about $20 million, but state government needs
to find billions of dollars to meet next year's obligations and pay
off old bills.
Critics may object to closing the facilities -- and cutting jobs
for some 550 people -- but the decision doesn't dump all the state's
financial problems into the laps of the patients and employees.
[Associated Press;
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS]
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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