Metro East Sun

Illinois state State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) took to social media recently to commend a letter to Gov. JB Pritzker from the president of Friends of Choate expressing concerns about removing 123 residents from the developmental center.

Bryant noted in her social media post that supporters had been assured the facility would not be closed, but there were concerns that allegations of abuse at the center could be used to justify its closure.

“Excellent letter written to Gov. Pritzker by the President of Friends of Choate,” Bryant said on Facebook on March 16. “Please call Governor Pritzker and ask him to reconsider the move of the residents of Choate.”

Bryant also shared a link to an advertisement containing the letter posted on the The Southern Illinoisan. Rita Burke, president of the Friends of Choate, pointed out that it was actually the facility’s system of accountability that made it possible for abuse cases to be reported and sent for prosecution. That very system is now being used against the facility, she wrote in the letter.

ProPublica reported that Choate, a 270-bed facility, is one of 13 psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers run by the Illinois Department of Human Services. It handles a range of cases, from patients with mental and developmental disabilities to those with profound disabilities, some of whom are nonverbal.

Bryant is not alone in her concerns, with 59 fellow Republican state legislators seeking answers about the situation at the facility and its closure, the ProPublica report said.

The future of the facility is already being considered, WSIL recently reported. It will be repurposed, and residents will be sent to community-based situations or other state facilities where they will receive appropriate care. But supporters have concerns about that plan.

“We’re extremely concerned about the fate of Choate Developmental Center residents and the employees who make Choate home for them," Roberta Lynch; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCM) Council 31 executive director; told WSIL. "We intend to make certain that the well-being of the more than 200 residents of the Choate home is given the foremost consideration, now and in the future. AFSCME will work to protect the jobs of Choate's dedicated and compassionate employees, and our union will continue our close alliance with the Friends of Choate family group to ensure that no resident is forced out of their home without their consent.”

In the June primary election, Bryant ran unopposed in her efforts to serve the residents of District 58, a Journal Star report said.