Judge Clears Way For Developmentally Disabled To Leave Institutions
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chief U.S. District Judge James Holderman has approved a settlement that will allow developmentally disabled to move from state institutions into apartments or small group homes.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's John Cody reports, Stanley Ligas, 43, is one of the class-action plaintiffs who said they wanted the option of moving out into individual or small group homes.
The decision means that Ligas, who has Down syndrome, will be able to move from his 96-bed home at Sheltered Village in Woodstock into a small group home. So will 3,000 others within six years.
Ligas said he planned to celebrate with a trip to Jimmy John's.
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Ligas' attorney, Barry Taylor of Equip for Equality, argues smaller facilities should not be costing Illinois taxpayers more money.
"A lot of these settings have nursing care and extensive rehabilitation care, and many people who are in these facilities don't need that care at all," Taylor said.
The decision essentially means that state dollars aiding the developmentally disabled will follow the individual recipient instead of flowing directly to state-supported institutions.
The goal is to bring Illinois into compliance with the 1990 federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that people with disabilities be allowed to live in the "most integrated setting" within their communities.
