Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission Chicago met Feb. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
HRA Chairperson, Ashley Casati opened the meeting of the Chicago Regional Human Rights Authority (HRA) at 5:40 p.m. The meeting was held at Madden Mental Health Center, Hines, IL.
Members Present: Ashley Casati, Michael Shukis, Eric Mathiasen, Paul Porter, Sheila Orr and Regina Pessagno.
Members Absent: Nicole Erickson, Donna Claffy and Cindy Gerena.
Staff Present: Pat Betzen
Guests: None
Ashley noted that a quorum was present. Ashley read the Confidentiality Statement.
Approval of November 15, 2016 Meeting Minutes. A motion was made to approve the November 15, 2016 meeting minutes. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
Approval of January 3, 2017 Meeting Minutes. A motion was made to approve the January 3, 2017 meeting minutes. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
Communications: None
NEW BUSINESS
New Complaints:
#17-030-9016 The complaint alleges that a facility administered the wrong dosage of medication to a recipient even after the Agent for the Power Of Attorney for Healthcare reminded them of the correct dosage and even attempted to obtain the medication for the recipient. As a result, the recipient became psychotic and absconded from the facility and remained missing for two days. A release has been obtained. A motion was made to accept the complaint for investigation. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
#17-030-9017 The complaint alleges that:
1. Hospital staff told a recipient it would be months before she would be discharged if she did not sign a voluntary application;
2. The recipient’s roommate had medical problems which resulted in blood/feces being on the floor in their room, and when the recipient asked staff to alert cleaning services, staff told her that the roommate would have to clean it herself. No one came and the recipient had to clean it herself. The entire unit was filthy;
3. The unit has a detailed chart showing daily activities however many of the groups are not held.
A motion was made to accept the complaint for investigation. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
Mike made a motion to enter into closed session at 5:54 p.m. pursuant to Section 21 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955/21) and Section 120/2 (c) (4) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2); the motion was seconded by Paul and carried. The purpose of the closed session was as follows: to discuss updates of open cases, a report of findings, and case closure.
The HRA returned to open session at 6:00 p.m. having taken no action in closed session. A summary of the closed session includes a review of reports of findings as well as case closures.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Report of Findings:
#17-030-9008 Madden. The HRA reviewed the report for case #17-030-9008 Madden. A motion was made to accept the report without revision. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
Case Closures:
#17-030-9006 St. Mary’s. The HRA considered case closure for case #15-030-9006 St. Mary’s. A motion was made to close the case and make the report part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded and passed.
Case Status Reports:
#17-030-9011 Hartgrove. A tentative date for the site visit has been set for February 22, 2017
#17-030-9012 Sabin Magnet. The complainant is moving forward to remove the student from the school. She does not object to the HRA pursuing the investigation. The attorney for the school objects to the authority of the HRA and was sent a 1984 appeals case (Human Rights Authority v Miller) which established the authority of the HRA to investigate complaints on behalf of disabled persons. A motion was made to issue subpoenas for the student record and school policy. The motion was properly seconded and unanimously passed.
Announcements and Comments:
The next meeting of the HRA is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Madden Mental Health Center.
Adjournment: The HRA agreed to adjourn at 6:18 p.m.
https://www.illinois.gov/sites/gac/Press/Documents/minutes/2017/chicago02142017minutes.pdf
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