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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
General's office, representing DHS, say 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 underway 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 insure 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 Behle's
March ruling, and the Fourth 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.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
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the appellate court he agreed the earlier injunction was no longer
in force, but he believed the case was still alive.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] can't 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 state's 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. Ryan's
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] |
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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."
[to top of second column in this
article] |
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]
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"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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