A new settlement in a civil rights case could affect nearly 10,000 adults with developmental disabilities in Illinois.

The agreement was filed Tuesday in federal court in Chicago.

It takes into account the objections of families who worried a prior version would have forced their loved ones out of residential care facilities. A judge rejected that version in 2009.

This version more clearly spells out that people who are happy living in large private institutions could stay where they are. Or they could choose to move to smaller homes and get support services in the community.

The new agreement, if approved by a judge, would settle claims Illinois violates the rights of the developmentally disabled by segregating them in large institutions.

The case is Ligas v. Hamos.