LDC Actions

For more information:

LDC Fact Sheet

Equip for Equality Report on LDC (PDF)

Past Actions:

llinois State Fair 2006

Freedom Ride '05

Actions against Lincoln Developmental Center

efforts to prevent reopening the lincoln institution

The Governor of Illinois made a political deal with a politician who exchanged his vote on pension plan reform for the Governor's promise to reopen an institution in Lincoln, Illinois. A task force was appointed in June of 2003 to develop plans to reopen the Lincoln institution.

Most Recent Development:

In 2006, new buildings were constructed. As of Winter 2008, the State is still deciding what to do with the site. Several options (including an institution for people with disabilities) are still on the table.

protest against LDC On April 26, 2004, members of the disability community across Illinois forced their way into the meeting that was held via video-conference between Springfield and Chicago. 40 activists gathered at the Chicago site and 35 assembled in Springfield. At that time the Lincoln Task Force had been meeting behind closed doors since July 2003.

After we forced our way into the meeting that had been cloaked in secrecy for 9 months, the State agreed to open future meetings to the public.

On May 24, 2004 the Chicago Tribune printed a scathing editorial entitled, "The Governor's White Elephant." The piece called Lincoln a "monstrous, money-chomping, isolated" institution. (To read the editorial, Click Chicago Tribune.)

On May 27, 2004 Rep. Sara Feigenholtz introduced H.R. 1007 which "strongly urges" the Governor and the Illinois Department of Human Services to take "immediate actions" to redirect the funding earmarked to reopen the Lincoln institution to supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Within 48 hours, the resolution had 28 co-sponsors.

n June 1, 2004, the Illinois House of Representatives passed the Feigenholtz Resolution by an overwhelming 75 to 34 vote. (To view the Text of HR 1007, click Text of HR 1007.)

testimony at LDC planning meeting On June 10, 2004, members of the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois converged on the Lincoln Task Force to present Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Carol Adams with over 1,100 names of individuals from across the State of Illinois who oppose the current plan to reopen the Lincoln institution. The Campaign formally asked the Secretary to rescind her plan to open four 10-bed ICFDDs on the grounds of the former Lincoln institution and redirect the $7 million dollars earmarked for the project to services and supports tailored to specific needs of individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois.

0n June 16, 2004, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board reviewed the plan for Lincoln. The Board's staff found the Lincoln plan to be lacking in 4 of the 14 criteria necessary to gain the Board's approval. At the meeting, the Board asked real questions and, if they demand real answers, the State will have a really hard time justifying the Lincoln proposal. At the June meeting, DHS pulled the Lincoln application after several Board members indicated that they would not approve the application at that time. DHS intends to resubmit a more detailed application for consideration at a future IHFPB meeting.

Shortly after the June meeting, the federal Justice Department issued indictments against all of the members of the IHFPB and the Governor fired them. The Governor appointed new members who looked at the Lincoln proposal on October 20, 2004. At that meeting, they decided to approve the proposal.

On November 1, 2004, DHS disbanded the LDC Task Force.

In December 2005, The Governor told members of Chicago ADAPT that his decision to reopen the Lincoln institution was a "mistake." As of January 13, 2006, construction has yet to begin.

In 2006, new buildings were constructed. As of Winter 2008, the State is still deciding what to do with the site. Several options (including an institution for people with disabilities) are still on the table.