Governor JB Pritzker is again threatening to close the troubled Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.
Multiple news investigations have found numerous instances of abuse and improper care of mentally ill and developmentally disabled patients at the facility.
At an unrelated news conference, the governor was asked what should happen.
"If the problems can't be fully addressed, then we ought to close it down because the state, obviously in that area, is incapable of managing the facility properly. One of the big challenges with some of these facilities, I want to point out, is they're located in areas where it's very hard to find personnel. We'll continue to work on this because it's vital that we have the proper care for our developmentally disabled."
In his budget plan, the governor proposed an additional $120 million for the Department of Human Services to continue rate increases to make Illinois more competitive in the market for workers who serve people with developmental disabilities.
According to DHS, the Choate facility currently houses 234 patients.
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