Commission rejects Quinn plan to close Chester Mental Health

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[CHESTER - The Illinois General Assembly's bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) voted this morning to reject Governor Pat Quinn's plans to close four state facilities and lay off some 1,000 employees.

COGFA members rejected the closure of Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon by a vote of 8-3, the Illinois Youth Center-Murphysboro (7-4), Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford (8-3) and Chester Mental Health Center (11-0).

"Legislators from both parties, both chambers and every part of the state studied the governor's proposals to close these important health care and public safety facilities," AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said. "When they heard all the facts, they saw clearly that Chester, Mabley, Murphysboro and Singer provide essential services and should not be closed.

"Governor Quinn has blamed the legislature's failure to appropriate sufficient funds for his decision to close seven health care centers and prisons, lay off nearly 2,000 workers and violate collective bargaining agreements," Bayer said. "With today's votes it is clear that lawmakers believe these facilities are needed. We urge Governor Quinn to rescind all his closure and layoff threats now.

"It is incumbent upon the General Assembly to provide adequate funding," Bayer said. "Lawmakers should come together to pass a supplemental appropriation for human services, corrections and the other departments that have not yet been funded for the full fiscal year."

Governor Quinn has proposed the closure of three additional facilities. COGFA hearings on Jacksonville Developmental Center and Logan Correctional Center were held earlier this week and final votes are still pending. The panel will take testimony on Tinley Park Mental Health Center on Tuesday, Nov. 1 and vote on that proposal at a later date.