The facts on Quinn's plan to close Illinois facilities

[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.

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.

"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.