ANNA, Ill. (Heartland News) – The state announced plans to lay off employees and relocate dozens of patients at Choate Mental Health Developmental Center in Anna. The changes are part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan, which began in 2023, to transform care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The state’s decision is drawing mixed reactions, with many community members worried about what it means for Anna and the surrounding area. Residents say the facility’s impact extends far beyond the people who work there.
“It does provide a lot of jobs and stuff, but as the state’s moved, you know, shifting from big mental health facilities to smaller placements, it, you know, there’s not as much of a necessity for it here now,” Brandy Whitney said.
“It’s gonna be pretty detrimental in multiple ways. It takes a lot of jobs,” Whitney said.
For many residents in Anna and Jonesboro, Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center has been a major employer in the community.
“Choate has been around since before I was even born. I’ve actually had friends that work there, and I’ve had past clients that live there. Really amazing people. They don’t deserve to be losing beds or jobs,” Vincent Alexander said.
Locals say the campus seemed to function like its own little community within the area.
“Like they offer jobs inside the facility itself for their residents. It has a community center for them, like, it’s like their own little town, and it’d be horrible to see them lose their homes,” Alexander said.
Others worry the changes could have a ripple effect throughout Union County, making it harder to find a job.
“It concerns us; it always concerns us. Everybody needs jobs down here. We’re in a really depressed area,” Kent Young said.
Residents also expressed concerns about whether enough mental health services will remain available locally as Choate scales back operations.
“Mental health’s a big issue. It’s been under-addressed for years. We all have family members who need those kinds of services, and they’re getting fewer and fewer all the time,” Young said.
“It’s important to provide care and help to those who may be struggling,” Alexander said.
Heartland News received the following statement from Tina Rivero Winfield, president of AFSCME Local 141:
Our union had received repeated assurances that there would be no layoffs this year, so the notification received yesterday came as a total shock. Choate employees perform their duties daily with pride due to their deep commitment to the individuals they serve, who consider staff as family.
While this news is devastating, we plan to bargain in good faith and remain hopeful for both Choate employees and the impacted community. We will continue to stand together to provide these essential services in Southern Illinois.
Since the plan began in 2023, the state says Choate’s general developmental disabilities population has dropped from 199 residents to 16. An IDHS spokesperson says the facility’s 40-bed forensic program will remain open, and employees affected by the changes will be offered positions at other state-run facilities across Southern Illinois.
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