Latest news with #IllinoisDepartmentofHumanServices
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jury finds Danville man to be Sexually Violent Person
A Danville man has been found to be a Sexually Violent Person by a Vermilion County jury. Otis Arrington, 66, was committed to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services following his recent court case. The case was prosecuted by the office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Arrington had been detained in the IDHS Treatment and Detention Facility awaiting his trial. 'This offender's violent history indicates his release would pose a threat to women in the community,' Raoul said. 'I am committed to protecting Illinois families and communities from offenders who have been deemed sexually violent by the court.' Arrington was convicted in Indiana in 1978 of rape and burglary and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Just four months after his 1989 release and while on parole, Arrington committed aggravated criminal sexual assault, home invasion, residential burglary, armed violence and armed robbery in Danville. He was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison for those charges in 1990. Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, Raoul's office files cases seeking to commit offenders to the custody of IDHS. To be committed under the act, a person must have been convicted of a sexually violent offense and suffer from a mental disorder. The Attorney General's office must also prove that the offender is likely to commit future acts of sexual violence if released from custody. Once committed to IDHS, offenders are reevaluated on a regular basis to determine if they continue to meet the criteria for commitment as a sexually violent person. Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicole Bartell and Deputy Chief William Bryant handled the case for Raoul's Sexually Violent Persons Bureau.
Chicago Tribune
20-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Public housing in Chicago is where hope can begin
Public housing isn't just a means to an end; it's where hope begins, and community takes root. I know this not just in theory, but also through my work at La Casa Norte, where I have the honor of walking alongside youths and families as they confront homelessness. I've seen firsthand how having stable housing can transform lives, restore dignity and spark possibility. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the new National Public Housing Museum, a must-visit for anyone who cares about equity and justice. The museum offers a powerful, honest reflection on the legacy of public housing including its role in advancing opportunity and reinforcing segregation, its demolition and the ongoing fight to ensure affordable, dignified housing for all. Right now, Chicago is on the brink of a historic milestone: the opening of its first large-scale youth noncongregate shelter for youth ages 18 to 24. Led by La Casa Norte, this project will provide young people with private, safe spaces to heal and grow — a critical step toward housing equity. My visit to the museum reminded me that progress is always within reach, and it renewed my hope for a future where every person, especially young people navigating life's hardest moments, has access to safe, affordable housing. Because home should be a right, not a privilege. — Luz Maria Cortez, community assistance program manager, La Casa Norte, Chicago Toll of homelessness According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, on any given night last year, an estimated 25,832 people were dealing with homelessness in Illinois. People experiencing homelessness who frequently seek medical care disproportionately are diagnosed with serious cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic and renal disorders, as well as psychiatric and substance use conditions, an analysis of hospital patient data by the Illinois Department of Public Health shows. The conditions unhoused people deal with, whether they are staying in a crowded shelter or an encampment outside, are not conducive to good health. Homelessness puts individuals at higher risk for infectious diseases and can exacerbate chronic conditions because they don't have the necessary access to the consistent medical care needed to manage and treat those conditions. They face shorter life spans and a reduced quality of life; on average, people who are unhoused die almost 20 years before the typical Illinoisan. Since 2023, I have been volunteering with Avicenna Community Health Center, a student-run free clinic in Champaign. I have served as the center's co-director of outreach for almost two years, managing the operations of our Shelter Medicine Initiative, a twice-monthly pop-up clinic run in collaboration with Strides, a local low-barrier shelter. Through this role, I have seen firsthand how homelessness impacts the health of individuals and how important affordable, accessible health care is. By locating our clinic at the shelter and providing services for free, we increase health care accessibility by reducing the burden of transportation and the cost of health care. Homelessness is a public health crisis that requires institutional intervention to truly be addressed. Free clinics are by no means a catch-all solution, but student-run free clinics can and do play an important role in providing a safety net for people who are underinsured and uninsured, and the work done by Avicenna shows that targeted initiatives can be developed by such clinics to combat the negative effects of homelessness on health. — Zahraa Rasheed, Savoy, Illinois Detecting gunshots Gun violence is a consequence of disinvestment, segregation and inequity. Jens Ludwig's piece ('Unforgiving origins of Chicago gun violence,' April 13) makes this clear, correctly pointing to community violence intervention (CVI), trauma-informed care and economic opportunity as ingredients to reversing the cycle. But let's not allow a false dichotomy to take root — one that pits policing against intervention, or enforcement against empathy. We need both. In too many neighborhoods, gunfire goes unreported to police because many residents have given up on calling 911. Fear of retaliation, distrust and trauma have bred silence. This is why gunshot detection technology is valuable. It doesn't solve historic inequities, but it does restore awareness — ensuring that gunshots are recorded, mapped and responded to. Disinvested neighborhoods suffer from data invisibility. When policymakers can't 'see' the problem, they don't fund solutions. Gunfire detection helps first responders arrive soon after a shooting. That speed can be the difference between life and death. Additionally, these systems help officials understand where gunfire is concentrated, which is critical for violence interrupters, hospital-based outreach teams and trauma-informed service providers. Detection helps them direct resources to get ahead of retaliatory cycles. America's civic ecosystem — from grassroots leaders to health workers to police — can build a new model for urban safety, one in which community healing, precision data and modern tools reinforce each other. I believe technology can complement CVI's vision. Some critics — often far removed from violent neighborhoods — view gunshot detection systems with suspicion. That's healthy. But residents living in communities where the technology is deployed are often the most vocal supporters, because they regularly witness its lifesaving impact. If that's controversial, we should ask why we are comfortable with silence and inaction, particularly in the communities that have suffered from gun violence for far too long. Gunshot detection is not a panacea. It doesn't replace the need for jobs, education, housing or hope. But it is a tool that assists in responding faster, allocating smarter and measuring the impact of violence-reduction strategies. We should leverage data for good. Every neighborhood deserves to be seen, served and kept safe — not just when someone calls for help, but whenever help is needed. We need to nurture and empower coalitions committed to public safety innovation, equity and partnership. We shouldn't choose between equitable policing and crime prevention. Both can, and should, exist in harmony. It's about keeping people safe, and we should all advance that goal. — Ralph Clark, president and CEO, SoundThinking, creator of ShotSpotter Teachers under Tier 2 I have been a teacher in the Chicago area for 10 years. I am grateful to be in such a rewarding profession, but I fear teachers' employment is in danger. There is a teacher shortage beginning to unfold across the state. The benefits and retirement system for educators who fall under the Tier 2 pension system are not matching the work we are putting in each day. 'Public workers on Tier 2 do the same job as those with the higher Tier 1 benefits and pay the same amount toward their pension, but get less. Many Tier 2 participants actually pay more into the system than their pension is worth!' according to Pat Devaney, secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. The more people we get in the teaching profession, the stronger our youths, local communities and state become. I'm asking all people to reach out to local legislators to continue the push for a stronger teacher benefit system. Let's change the current system and undo Tier 2. — Joe Kwiatkowski, Aurora Russian talking points Letter writer Walt Zlotow ('Russia holds all the cards,' April 11) criticizes columnist Daniel DePetris ('Vladimir Putin obstructs President Donald Trump's best-laid plans for Ukraine,' April 8) for saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin is derailing a quick resolution to the war in Ukraine. Instead, Zlotow claims, the U.S., NATO and Ukraine are preventing a negotiated peace because Russia's 'core interests' are not being met. The interests are no NATO membership for Ukraine and future neutrality for Ukraine, as well as an end to 'attacks on Russian-leaning Ukrainians in Donbas.' Zlotow simply repeats Russian propaganda. Ukraine does not attack Ukrainians in the Donbas; it targets Russian military equipment and troop concentrations and headquarters. Most male Ukrainians in the Russian-occupied areas were conscripted by Russia and sent to the front, and many have been killed or wounded. Russian passports, language and culture were forced onto Ukrainians in occupied areas. If Zlotow listened to Russian media, he would understand more of Russia's goals. No independent media exist in Russia, so words expressed there must fit with Putin's views. The popular TV show anchor Vladimir Solovyov expresses how Russia has no borders and is an empire. If NATO entry is such a barrier to peace, why did Putin permit Finland and Sweden to join? Ukraine desires to join the European Union and continue on as a democratic sovereign country and not become a vassal state of Russia.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illinois advocates concerned about proposed cuts to care hours for developmentally disabled
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — If you just look at the line item for the Illinois Department of Human Services in Governor Pritzker's proposed budget, you will see an increase for services for the developmentally disabled. However, advocates are now drawing attention to a specific cut that could result in less care hours for people who need care in group homes. The They Deserve More Coalition, which is made up of different organizations that support the developmentally disabled, came to the Illinois State Capitol to share their concerns. Bill cracking down on license plate flippers in Illinois passes Senate The Governor's proposed budget would include a $32 million dollar decrease in funded hours for care of developmentally disabled living in group homes. The funded hours specifically pay for direct support professionals to staff these group homes. The Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities said the decrease would result in 900,000 hours being cut from the current total, which could mean over an hour less of care per day. 'If we cut 900,000 hours out of the service system from those people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, then they're going to be in danger of not being able to live effectively in their community,' Lore Baker, President of the Association for Individual Development said. People with developmental disabilities are assessed and prescribed a certain number of hours of care. In these group home settings, hours are typically pooled together to make sure the people have the proper care. A spokesperson for Governor JB Pritzker's office said the rollback is more about efficiently using the hours allotted. Illinois House passes 'Dillon's Law' to help more people carry Epi-Pens 'The discussion of the 'funded hours' obscures a basic fact: IDHS and Governor Pritzker are committing more to DD services than ever before,' Spokesman for the Governor Alex Gough said in a statement. 'Providers will never be told 'you've reached your hours limit' or be forced to lay off support workers. The global hours total is part of a funding model with multiple parts, designed to fairly and equitably distribute limited resources.' The administration pointed to the other investments being made to services for the developmentally disabled. Those include a 50-cent per hour wage increase for direct support professionals. It's also another year of increases for the overall budget for that division. That overall increase is why advocates and organizations were so caught off guard by the proposed cut, especially since they thought they were past this discussion. This cut was proposed after the state already backed off a much bigger proposed cut last year. Starting in 2023, the state was prepared to cut 2.3 million hours to the same area. At the time, the state said that was just a step in implementing the findings from the state-commissioned Guide House Rate study, but the state backtracked on that plan after pressure from advocates and lawmakers. While this proposal will impact significantly less hours, advocates still say it will result in a loss of care. Bill to ban two food additives passes Illinois Senate 'I think it might be possible if the hours didn't disappear,' Baker said. 'But what happened, instead of moving around two hours to go have more hours for someone who has a higher service need and less hours for someone who needs less support, the total amount of hours in the system totally shrunk.' The governor's proposed budget is just that — a proposal. Lawmakers will spend the next month and a half hammering out the details of the budget. Advocates voiced their concerns about these proposed cuts to the appropriations committee in the House of Representatives. 'Every legislator that we've spoken to has been shocked that this was in the governor's proposed budget,' Baker said. 'They keep saying, didn't we fix this last year? And we're like, We thought so, but not so much.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill to classify compulsive gambling as a substance abuse disorder passes Illinois Senate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois lawmakers are working to classify compulsive gambling as a substance abuse disorder with a bill in the state capitol. If gambling disorder is categorized under the Substance Use Disorder Act, the Illinois Department of Human Services would be able to create programs for the prevention, recognition and treatment of the disorder and fund grants for local intervention programs. Illinois bill aims to limit suspensions for students in preschool through 2nd grade 'Gambling releases dopamine and can quickly escalate from a fun pastime to a serious issue,' said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). 'By recognizing gambling disorder as a health condition, we are breaking down barriers to treatment and recovery.' IDHS found in a 2021 statewide report 3.8% of adult Illinois residents experienced problems with gambling, with an additional 7.7% of Illinoisans at risk of developing a gambling problem. 'When gambling gets out of hand, it can have a snowball effect on a person's life,' said Morrison. 'It's important that a system of care is in place to support individuals without judgement as they recover.' The bill passed the Senate last week unanimously. The full text of the bill can be found on the Illinois General Assembly's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illinois overdose deaths down 8% in 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The number of overdose deaths in Illinois saw a drop in 2023. According to Gov. JB Pritzker's office, the latest data shows that there were 3,502 drug overdose deaths in Illinois in 2023, which is 317 fewer than in 2022. The 8.3% drop is greater than the 4% nationwide average drop across the U.S. Opioid overdose deaths in Illinois also dropped 9.7% in the state, which is greater than the 3% it dropped nationally. How prevalent is the Opioid problem in central Illinois? The new data comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health unveiled an expanded Overdose Data Dashboard that shares more data and makes the tool easier for researchers and the public. He credits his 2022 State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan for the downward trend. The plan was centered around the three pillars of prevention, treatment and recovery, and response. 'My administration has worked closely with community providers, experts in the field, and people in recovery to produce a comprehensive statewide overdose response plan anchored in equity—and today's announcement reflects those efforts,' Pritzker said. 'From expanding overdose education and Naloxone distribution services to increasing access to recovery homes, we are seeing how our targeted investments are making a difference and saving lives.' During his latest budget address, Pritzker announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services could consolidate its mental health and substance use divisions into an integrated Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery in order to improve access to care. The merger would need to be approved by the general assembly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
