Chicago January 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes

HUMAN RIGHTS AUTHORITY

CHICAGO REGION MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

Madden MHC, Room 1088: 1200 S. First Ave., Hines, Illinois

PRESENT: Kamil Brady (virtual), Judi Bradley (virtual), Linda Cervenka (virtual), Gary Doherty, Tiffany Johnson (virtual), and Michael Romain (virtual).

ABSENT: Elizabeth Edelen and Nicole Erickson.

STAFF: Jeremy Polk (Disability Rights Manager - DRM), and Alejandra Meza (DRM).

GUEST: N/A

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Human Rights Authority, Chicago Region was called to order at 5:41 p.m. by the Chicago Region Member Tiffany Johnson.

It was determined that a quorum was present. The confidentiality statement was read by Jeremy Polk.

Minutes: Meeting minutes were approved for posting. The Chicago HRA approved minutes from May 13, 2025, June 24, 2025, August 19, 2025, September 16, 2025, and December 9, 2025. Motion to approve meeting minutes entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with remaining votes.

Communications: The HRA was reminded of this year’s annual trainings.

NEW BUSINESS

Ratifications:

All previous case actions were ratified for acceptance at this meeting. All ratifications were approved.

New Cases:

26-030-9021 – New Case – DRM met with the recipient at the hospital due to a complaint call. The recipient stated that he would like to be released but he was under a petition for involuntary treatment. The recipient states that he was being held under false pretense and needed a place

to go once discharged. DRM spoke with social worker and emailed them resources regarding housing. DRM also emailed LAS. The case was handled informally and referred out to LAS. Referral date was December 16, 2025. The HRA voted to open and close as handled informally. Motion to open and close entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Linda. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9022 – New Case – Complaint received regarding a recipient who is residing at DCFS facility after being locked out by parents on advice of a sheriff to obtain residential placement. DRM visited facility and spoke to VP of residential services who clarified their policies. DRM met with the recipient who states he just wants to go home or go to his previous facility. No concerns reported from the recipient. The HRA voted to open and close as handled informally. Motion to open and close entered by Tiffany. The motion was seconded by Judi. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9023 – New Case – A recipient asked nurse for scheduled medications and a PRN. Recipient normally takes medications at 8pm but waited until 9 and still hadn't received them. The recipient took a shower and after, security was waiting. The recipient states forced medication was administered without cause. The release was not received. Motion to tale to request release was entered by Tiffany. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9024 – New Case – A of services arrived at hospital while extremely drowsy after receiving injections in the emergency room of another hospital. The recipient was brought in on an involuntary petition but immediately was asked to read and sign voluntary application. The recipient told them she could barely read or understand anything due to the medications and asked for a more thorough explanation. She was told by the intake worker, "if you don't sign, it's going to be worse," so she signed. The recipient did not see a doctor until the second day. She did not see a social worker until the 4th day and the meeting was very fast and did not discuss treatment. No therapy was received. She was not explained her medications, did not sign medication consents, or receive written information on the medication. She repeatedly told staff she wanted to be discharged but was never explained the discharge process. The HRA did not receive a release. Motion to not accept was entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Kamil. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9025 – New Case – A recipient of services states that they were assaulted in a facility in 2010. DRM provided resources to recipient for correct investigative bodies. The case was not accepted and referred to another agency. Motion to not accept was entered by Linda. The motion was seconded by Judi. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9026 – New Case – The DRM contacted a recipient due to a voicemail left. The recipient reported being assaulted in a mental health facility. DRM forwarded report to OIG. This case was handled informally and referred out. Motion to open and close as referred out entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with remaining votes.

27-030-9026 – New Case – The DRM spoke to a family regarding a case involving a deceased recipient. The DRM forwarded case to HRA Administration. It was determined that the HRA could only request redacted records. The HRA voted to not accept case as we would have no authority to review the complete record of the recipient. Motion to not accept entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Kamil. The motion carried with remaining votes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no motion to enter executive session. There was a quorum, but no vote took place.

Case Assignments:

N/A

Draft reports for acceptance:

N/A

Accept responses, close, and publish:

24-030-9011 – Madden – This report has violations. The facility requested more time to provide response. Request was granted. Motion to table acceptance entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Tiffany. The motion carried with all votes.

24-030-9033 – Madden – This report has violations. The facility requested more time to provide response. Request was granted. Motion to table acceptance entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Tiffany. The motion carried with all votes.

25-030-9010 – Von Steuben Metro Science Center – The report was closed and published. There was no response provided by the facility. The motion to close and publish was entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Linda. The motion carried with remaining votes.

25-030-9020 – Community 1st Hospital – The HRA briefly discussed the providers response. The response was accepted, and the report was closed and published. The response was not published as this report was completed prior to the HRA rules update. Motion to close and published entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with remaining votes.

26-030-9015 – Kindred North – This case was closed. Motion to close entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with all votes.

26-030-9020 – Kindred North – This case was closed. Motion to close entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary. The motion carried with all votes.

Other unfinished business, announcements, and comments:

The HRA Voted to remove Joe Lupa. Motion entered by Gary. The motion was seconded by Tiffany. The motion carried with remaining votes.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn entered by Judi. The motion was seconded by Gary and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Cervenka – Secretary