May 15, 2010

Ethel Williams, et al. v. Patrick Quinn, et al.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a brief in Illinois in support of a proposed statewide class action settlement. In Ethel Williams, et al., v. Patrick Quinn, et al., Illinois was alleged to have relied on Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs) to provide long-term care services to individuals with mental illnesses. Illinois has relied on IMDs, but had not offered community-based services. DOJ said supporting these IMDs and underfunding alternatives such as supportive housing violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. On May 27, 2010, preliminary approval of the Consent Decree was granted.