Locals protest, Pritzker defends mental health changes

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois is getting away from mass mental health facilities and moving developmentally disabled people into smaller group housing.

Union members and local officials in Union County rallied this week against the planned downsizing of operations at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.

Last month, the Illinois Department of Human Services revealed plans to cut about 250 jobs at Choate and shift mental health beds to the northern part of the state.

The governor discussed the move when he spoke at an event in Elgin last week.

“The reason there are staff reductions is because we literally have moved the developmentally disabled patients, residents there, to better facilities, other facilities,” Pritzker said.

The U.S. Department of Justice began investigating the state’s treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities last year.

Republican state Rep. Brad Fritts’ of...