Murray Center hearings set

The fight to prevent the forced movement of residents from Murray Developmental Center in Centralia recently received a boost when federal District Court Judge Marvin Aspen ordered the Department of Human Services to release more than 100 documents to attorneys representing the Murray Parents Association (MPA).

"The documents address who is involved in important transition-related decisions and what information is available to guardians," Aspen wrote. "These documents go directly to the questions raised in [MPA’s] complaint, which alleges that Murray residents are being forced to relocate to CILAs in the absence of any other meaningful choice."

The volume of documents involved led the judge to postpone until early October a hearing on the lawsuit brought by the Parents Association in order to allow the attorneys time to review the material. The MPA lawsuit is seeking to bar the movement of individuals out of the Murray Center without the consent of their guardians. A temporary restraining order now in place requires guardian approval for any movement out of Murray until the judge decides after the October hearing whether to issue an injunction.

Soon after, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will hold a public hearing on Governor Quinn’s plan to close the Murray Center. The governor needs the board's approval to proceed with the closure.

That hearing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 3:30-7 p.m. at Centralia City Hall, 222 S. Poplar St. All AFSCME members in the area are encouraged to attend.

Difficulties finding appropriate placements for Murray residents -- coupled with strong resistance to the closure from individuals who live at Murray and their guardians -- have put the brakes on the Quinn Administration’s efforts to rush through the closure without adequate safeguards for the rights, health or safety of the residents.

Health Facilities Review Board hearing on Murray Center
Weds., Oct. 9
3:30 p.m. sign-in
4:00 p.m. start time
7:00 p.m. end time
Centralia City Hall, 222 South Poplar Street