Politics & Government
Quinn Moves to Close Tinley Mental Health Center
The governor says state lawmakers didn't budget enough money to keep facilities open.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn moved Thursday to close seven state facilities—including the — and lay off more than 1,900 state workers as part of a plan to cut state spending.
Quinn blamed the cuts on state lawmakers who gave him a budget that was $2.2 billion less than he requested.
“It’s time for a rendezvous with reality” for legislators, he said during a news conference in Chicago.
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The closings would save the state $313 million, he added.
In addition to closing the 250-acre center, 7400 W. 183rd St., Quinn wants to close mental health facilities in Rockford and Chester as well as two downstate centers for the developmentally disabled, the Illinois Youth Correctional Center in Murphysboro and the Logan Correctional Center.
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If given the go-ahead, the closings would be effective 30 days after lawmakers approve them.
This isn’t the first time the Tinley Mental Health Center has been targeted.
The adjoining Howe Developmental Center was closed in July 2009, and the mental health center was downsized to 150 beds.
