In Crisis, She Went to an Illinois Facility. Two Years Later, She Still Isn’t Able to Leave.

Kaleigh Rogers was in crisis when she checked into a state-run institution on Illinois ’ northern border two years ago .

Rogers, who has cerebral palsy, had a mental health breakdown during the pandemic and was acting aggressively toward herself and others.

She says she has fewer freedoms and almost nothing to do, and was placed in a unit with six other residents, all of whom are unable to speak.

Advocates say the state is failing to live up to the promise it made in a 13-year-old federal consent decree to serve people in the community.

There are only 32 placements available — only four of them for women — and the beds are always full, Rizor says.

Equip for Equality argues that the consent decree has not been sufficiently fulfilled.

The state says it is working on safety concerns inside its state-run centers.

Advocates worry about what could happen under a different administration if Illinois ’ finances continue to decline.

Illinois continues to rank near the bottom in terms of the investment it makes in community-based services.

More than 5,000 adults who have told the state they want community services have yet to receive them.