ANNA, Ill. (KFVS) – Three Heartland lawmakers and the Illinois Department of Human Services issued statements following news of layoffs at a southern Illinois mental health facility.
According to a letter from the Illinois Department of Human Services addressed to staff and posted on Facebook by Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), “With the completion of the Choate transformation, there is less need for residential units to serve the intellectual and developmental disabilities general population at Choate.
The letter states operations at the intellectual and developmental disabilities general units will end by September 30.
Another change, according to the letter, is that they will be phasing down the 75 civil mental health beds at Choate and adding the beds to the Madden Mental Health Center. This is planned to be finished by March 2027.
Senator Bryant also issued a statement:
“This is a devastating blow to Southern Illinois. The state’s decision will cost our region hundreds of jobs, uproot vulnerable patients, and create chaos for families and employees who deserve far better than this.
“I have consistently advocated for Choate to continue serving our most vulnerable residents here in Southern Illinois, and I am disappointed to see those calls ignored through this announcement.
“Southern Illinois cannot afford to lose hundreds of jobs, and the people who depend on Choate deserve to be treated as individuals, not numbers on a spreadsheet.”
State Senator Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) issued this statement on Thursday, July 23:
“This decision will take valuable jobs away from Southern Illinois and create real uncertainty for vulnerable individuals, their families and the employees who have dedicated their careers to caring for them.
“While the state does not intend to fully close Choate and plans to keep the forensic unit open, the loss of dozens of jobs and the relocation of dozens of patients will still have a devastating impact on this community. These are good-paying jobs that support local families, small businesses and the broader Southern Illinois economy.
“I am disappointed that the state is once again making a decision that leaves Southern Illinois workers and families to deal with the consequences.”
A spokesperson with IDHS gave a statement to Heartland News.
“As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s vision for transformational change within the state’s support system for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) – operations at the Choate Developmental Center will be reduced.
“The decision to reduce the services provided on the Choate campus was made following careful review of state-operated facilities, declining census in State Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs), increasing interest in community living arrangements, and changing service delivery needs across the state.
“This decision aligns with the state’s commitment to reducing institutionalization across Illinois, enabling individuals to live in the least restrictive environment of their choice.
“The census across Illinois’ seven SODCs is 1,413, as of July 17, 2026, down from 1,639 in March 2023 when the Governor’s transformation plan began. Choate’s general census of individuals with I/DD went from 199 in March 2023, to the 16 general census persons with I/DD there today.
“In addition, there are 75 IDHS Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery beds at Choate, which will be phased down by March 2027, while capacity at the Madden Mental Health Center increases.
“The 40-bed Forensic program will continue to operate at Choate.
“IDHS, in partnership with CMS Labor Relations, will work with the labor partners representing the affected employees through the contractual layoff process to offer employment opportunities to Choate staff impacted by the change in operations, including opportunities at other state operated facilities, with the overall goal of limiting impact to affected staff.
“For affected staff, there are available downstate vacancies across the system at state-operated facilities, including Murray, Chester, and Alton. These centers are expanding capacity and adding new positions to the Southern Illinois community.”
State Representative Scott Doody (R-Anna) issued this statement on Friday, July 24 regarding Choate:
“This decision by the Department of Human Services will have devastating consequences for the people of Anna, Union County, and every family that depends on Choate. After taxpayers invested tens of millions of dollars to improve Choate’s facilities, they have decided to walk away from that investment and the employees, residents, and families who depend on Choate.
“As someone who proudly calls Anna home, I know exactly what Choate means to this community. The residents who depend on Choate, and the dedicated professionals who care for them, aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members.
“Every employee, every resident, and every family affected by this decision deserves answers and assurances that their loved ones will continue receiving safe, compassionate care.
“The economic impact of these cuts will be felt throughout Anna, Union County, and Southern Illinois. Hundreds of lost jobs will hurt local businesses, families, and entire communities. This isn’t just an attack on Choate. It is an attack on our regional economy.
“After years of promises to transform Choate, the administration’s answer is now to eliminate services, relocate residents, and lay off hardworking employees. Southern Illinois deserves better. I will continue fighting alongside local leaders, employees, residents, and families until this administration changes course.”
He also called on the governor and IDHS to halt the reductions, meet with local officials and employees and develop a plan together.
According to the IDHS website, Choate was founded in 1869 and formally opened for patients in 1873 in Anna, Illinois.
They say there are six living units on campus that can serve 181 individuals and patients.
The last updated profile on the facility, dated July 1, 2026, showed a census of 58 people.
According to IDHS, Choate currently has more than 500 staff members. Of those, they say 468 are represented by AFSCME, 31 are represented by the Illinois Nurses Association, 5 are represented by the Illinois Federation of Public Employees and 19 are represented by trades union.
The entire campus had a budget of nearly $50 million for fiscal year 2023.
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