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Quinn Closes Howe
Produced by Sam Hudzik on Friday, August 28, 2009
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A troubled south suburban facility for people with developmental disabilities will be closed down. That's the long-awaited decision Friday from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Howe Developmental Center lost its certification - and the millions in federal Medicaid dollars that go with it - more than two years ago, following complaints of patient neglect. Now the plan is to move the remaining 251 residents to other state-run facilities or smaller community homes by April.
Since taking office in January, Governor Quinn has - several times - delayed a final decision on Howe. His announcement Friday disappointed Betty Turturillo, whose 57-year-old daughter lives there. She says officials "are making a mistake," and says Howe is - quote - "not the bad place they've made it out to be."
That's the feeling of many others with relatives at Howe, according to a consultant's report released by the governor's office. The consultant nonetheless recommended closure, siding with the watchdog group, Equip for Equality.
In a statement, Quinn says the state will work diligently to ensure a smooth transition for residents.
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CalBearinIllinois, Springfield // Friday, August 28, 2009 @ 5:13 PM
Quoting only a woman whose daughter has lived at a facility for several decades is telling less than half the story. Talk to the families who have lost relatives there. Ask people in other state facilities (or their families) if they want to move to Howe and its a resounding no. Ask them if they want the staff of Howe to move to their facility you get the same answer.
Betty made the toughest choice a parent can - to part with care for a child - years ago. Unless she thinks she's a bad person, she's unlikely to admit Howe is no longer an acceptable facility. Standards have changed, our understanding of developmental disability has changed, but her daughter's care and condition hasn't. She doesn't have the ability to evaluate the situation objectively. Every person and body charged with monitoring quality of service for people with developmental disabiities has found Howe has outlived its usefulness. For once, AFSCME was not allowed to put union clout over care. This is a good day for Illinois.
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A Howe family member, Chicago // Saturday, August 29, 2009 @ 12:05 PM
It is disrespectful and foolish to see thoughtless attacks on family members such as Betty. She formally represents many residents and family members at Howe. Just walk into a Howe unit at any time and see the care and attention of the line staff. Anyone who listens to the formal testimony of family members will hear people tearfully pleading not to close Howe. Talk to Rep. Peggy Crotty, whose district includes Howe and whose knowledgeable and thoughtful approach to this issue can illuminate it for those who know little about this problem. I can certainly agree, however, with CalBearinIllinois on one issue. The failure of Howe is a failure of a succession of Springfield politicians and their appointees, department heads and directors who have not done their jobs as executives entrusted by the public with honest and professional oversight and direction. Again, it seems, the hidden interests of some politicians were allowed to overcome the welfare of patients and families and workers. Shame on Illinois whose history of care for those most challenged is a sorry legacy.
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