August 29, 2011

Illinois DHS Proposed Consent Decree in Colbert v. Quinn

On August 30, 2011, Illinois officials filed a proposed settlement to a class-action lawsuit, Colbert v. Quinn, which will require the state to provide community housing and supportive services for adults diagnosed with physical and mental disabilities who reside in large nursing facilities in the City of Chicago, Illinois. The proposed consent decree would require state agencies to offer subsidized apartments for up to 10,000 Cook County nursing home residents who can function independently and want to move out of the institutions. The proposed consent decree calls for the state to assess the class members and move 1,100 class members to apartments and group homes over a 30-month period.