Southern Illinois lawmakers, Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center employees and community stakeholders gathered Wednesday night in Anna to voice concerns over the state’s plan to dramatically reduce operations at the facility.
The town hall was held at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School following the Illinois Department of Human Services’ announcement of major changes at Choate that will include eliminating programs, relocating patients and laying off employees.
State legislators, law enforcement representatives, healthcare professionals and Choate employees attended the meeting, which provided an opportunity for workers and community members to discuss the impact of the changes.
Under the state’s plan, Choate’s general residential program serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will end by September 30, 2026.
IDHS also plans to phase out all 75 civil mental health beds at Choate by March 2027. Civil mental health capacity is instead expected to be added at Madden Mental Health Center in Chicago.
AFSCME estimates approximately 250 of Choate’s roughly 524 employees could be laid off as operations are reduced.
Lawmakers attending the meeting said the changes would have a significant impact not only on Choate employees, but also on patients, their families and the Southern Illinois economy. They also raised concerns about the long-term future of the Anna campus.
The Wednesday night meeting was organized as an open forum to allow those who work at Choate and others affected by the decision to speak about the state’s plans and what the reductions could mean for the region.