SPRINGFIELD – A group of state lawmakers is calling for hearings into reports of abuse and neglect at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.

Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) says the center is a valuable resource in the area, but that major improvements need to be made. He says legislators and state officials need to work together and find solutions.

Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) says Choate is important to the community and the families of the 270 residents that live there. She says the answer isn’t shutting it down but working together to make some major changes.

The group outlined some of their recommendations such as installing cameras in public areas of Choate, providing staff training and implementing unannounced inspections.

Governor JB Pritzker recently said if the problems at Choate can’t be fully addressed, then it should be closed down. The governor says the state is obviously in that area incapable of managing the facility properly.

He says one of the big challenges with some of these facilities is that they are located in areas where it’s very hard to find personnel. He says the state will continue to work on this because it is vital that we have the proper care for our developmentally disabled.

(Information for this story provided by the Illinois Office of Communication and Information.)