Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission met Feb. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Human Rights Authority, Chicago Region was called to order at 5:25 p.m. by the Chicago Region Member Shelia Orr.
It was determined that a quorum was not present however the HRA did conduct some regular business. There were community members present the HRA briefly discussed a recent site visit at Northwestern Memorial with all attendees. The confidentiality statement was read by Jeremy Polk.
Minutes: Minutes for December were not approved.
Communications: There were technical difficulties and the coordinator was disconnected from the meeting several times.
NEW BUSINESS
New Cases:
21-030-9008 – Riveredge – An attorney reports that a mental health hospital violated a patients’ rights due to an improper admission. The attorney also indicates that the patient received numerous forced medications without cause. Coordinator spoke with the patient and found the following. Patient reported being slammed while being administered forced meds. Patient also reported inhumane treatment as staff continuously woke him up. Coordinator referred abuse complaint out and mailed out release of information to patient. Motion to open was entered by Shelia. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
21-030-9010 – New Case – A patient reported that a hospital injected him illegally with medications on several occasions without reason. The patient also reported that he asked for the facility to honor his 5-day release and was given forced medications instead. Motion to table due to not having a release was entered by Shelia. The motion was seconded by Daryl and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
21-030-9012 – Madden – A complaint states that the social worker will not speak with him. He indicated that the facility would not allow him to mail letter to children. He also indicated that the facility is not providing him with the right medications, nor are they honoring his five-day release. Motion to accept was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Daryl and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
21-030-9013 – New Case – A complainant called because he signed a five-day release on 1/3/21. Caller stated that the facility did not honor his request. The caller furthered that he was being discriminated against and given forced medication without cause. HRA Coordinator called facility to inquire about the complainant's 5-day request for release. HRA Coordinator contacted the SW. SW was not responsive. Complainant called several times throughout the week. HRA Coordinator attempted to visit complainant in the psych unit. The facility refused to allow Coordinator entry. Patient was discharged the very next day and the social worker contacted the HRA Coordinator notifying him of the discharge address. A release of information was sent on 1/21/2021. Motion to table due to not having a release was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
21-030-9014 – New Case – A detainee has sent the HRA coordinator has several letters from the complainant. The HRA attempted to open a case with the complainant years prior. The complainant never responded to request for release of information. The complainant reports that the staff of Cermak harasses, demean and are not given him adequate treatment in the least restrictive environment. The HRA coordinator mailed a new release 1/20/21. Motion to table due to not having a release was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
21-030-9015 – Cook County Hospital – The HRA coordinator received a call from a complainant. The complainant mentioned that several hospitals would not release the records to her. The coordinator agreed to assist in obtaining the medical records. A ROI was printed and mailed on this date 1/28/21. Motion to open informally was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Shelia and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum. Remaining votes were secured by email.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The HRA was did not move into closed session pursuant to the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955/21) and the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2).
Case Assignments:
N/A
Reports for acceptance:
Accept responses, close and publish:
20-030-9002 – Hartgrove – The HRA did not discuss the case. The HRA coordinator was having extreme technical difficulties. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Gary and the motion carried with remaining votes.
20-030-9007 – Madden - The HRA voted to table upon receipt of verification of training completion. There was no response to an email requesting this information on February 1, 2021. A follow up email will be drafted. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Gary and the motion carried with remaining votes.
20-030-9011 – Center Home – The HRA did not discuss the case. The HRA coordinator was having extreme technical difficulties. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion carried with the remaining votes.
20-030-9012 – Madden - The HRA voted to table upon receipt of verification of training completion. There was no response to an email requesting this information on February 1, 2021. A follow up email will be drafted. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Gary and the motion carried with remaining votes.
20-030-9014 – Warren Barr South Loop – The HRA did not discuss the case. The HRA coordinator was having extreme technical difficulties. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion carried with the remaining votes.
20-030-9017 – Aspire Chicago – The HRA did not discuss the case. The HRA coordinator was having extreme technical difficulties. The motion to table acceptance was entered by Daryl. The motion was seconded by Dallas and the motion carried with the remaining votes.
Other unfinished business, announcements and comments:
Adjournment:
Motion entered to adjourn entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Shelia and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 pm.
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gac/Press/Documents/minutes/2021/Chicago020921minutes.pdf
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