Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Human Rights Authority, Chicago Region Met June 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
PRESENT: Jeremy Farmby, Dallas Read, and Daryl Richardson
ABSENT: Gary Doherty, Jeff Gee and Shelia Orr
STAFF: Jeremy Polk (Disability Rights Manager)
GUEST: Julia Lynch and John Witcomb (Northwestern)
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Human Rights Authority, Chicago Region was called to order at 5:09 p.m. by the Chicago Region Member Dallas Read.
It was determined that a quorum was not present, however the HRA did conduct some regular business. The HRA also did not advance into closed session. The confidentiality statement was read by Jeremy Polk.
Minutes: Minutes for May were not approved and tabled for next meeting. The motion to table was entered by Jeremy Farmby. The motion was seconded by Dallas Read and the motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
Communications: The HRA discussed the annual trainings. Due to expirations of term limits the HRA previously elected new officers in December of 2020. There was also not a quorum present so the HRA will conduct elections at its next meeting with a quorum.
NEW BUSINESS
New Cases:
21-030-9021 – New Case – A patient report that she requested a 5-day release and her request was not honored timely. The patient also reports being given emergency medications that were not warranted. The HRA motioned to not accept this complaint due to not receiving a release. The motion was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Daryl. The remaining votes were secured by email. The motion will be ratified at next meeting with a quorum.
21-030-9023 – New Case – DRM returned a call to complainant. The complainant stated that he was received at the hospital due to being raped. The complainant stated that he was given forced medication without reason because he refused to cooperate with doctors. The complainant then stated the facility conducted a blood draw without his consent. The HRA motioned to not accept this complaint due to not receiving a release. The motion was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Daryl. The remaining votes were secured by email. Acceptance will be ratified at next meeting with a quorum.
21-030-9024 – Cermak Hospital – HRA coordinator has several letters from the complainant. The HRA attempted to open a case with the complainant years prior. The complainant reports that the staff of Cermak harasses, demean and are not given him adequate treatment in the least restrictive environment. There was no response for multiple requests for the release. The case was closed. However, release was received after closure. Case was opened. The motion to open was entered Dallas. The motion is seconded by Jeremy. The remaining votes were secured by email and the case was opened. Acceptance will be ratified at next meeting with a quorum.
21-030-9025 – UCP Seguin – Pre pandemic a resident in a CILA has not been allowed to have impromptu visits with family. The guardian reports that during the pandemic the resident has not been allowed to visit persons of his choosing and no alternatives have been made to satisfy the resident’s needs. The guardian also reports that the resident’s funds are being mismanaged by the service agency, as the resident did not receive his stimulus checks timely. Finally, the guardian indicates that the resident is not receiving care and services in the least restrictive environment as the resident is being forced to isolate in his own room. The motion to accept this case was entered by Jeremy. The motion was seconded by Daryl. Remaining votes were secured by email. Acceptance will be ratified at next meeting with a quorum.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The HRA 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
Draft reports for acceptance:
20-030-9020 – Northwestern – The HRA discussed this report in open session maintaining all confidentiality mandates. The HRA gave the general counsel for the hospital and attorney time to review the report. The attorney responded that the hospital was receptive to completing the recommendations in the report. There were no other questions about the report as drafted. Motion to accept and issue was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Jeremy. The motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
20-030-9022 – C4 – The HRA discussed this report in open session. The HRA did not disclose any confidential information regarding the complaint. The board also agreed with the recommendations in the report. The motion to accept the report and issue was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Jeremy. The motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
Accept responses, close and publish:
20-030-9003 – Mt. Sinai – The HRA motioned to accept and close this case. There was no response necessary. The motion was entered by Jeremy. The motion was seconded by Dallas. The motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
20-030-9009 – Gottlieb Day Care – The HRA motioned to table acceptance. The response was not received before meeting. DRM will follow up on response. The motion was entered by Jeremy. The motion was seconded by Dallas. The motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
21-030-9015 – Thorek – The HRA voted to close this case. The case was and informal inquiry into a complainant’s ability received their medical records. The complainant has since received the records. The motion to close was entered by Dallas. The motion was seconded by Jeremy. The motion will be ratified at the next meeting with a quorum.
Other unfinished business, announcements and comments:
Received annual trainings from two members.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn entered by Jeremy. The motion was seconded by Daryl and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:48 pm.
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gac/Press/Documents/minutes/2021/Chicago061521Minutes.pdf
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