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East Central January 8, 2026 Minutes
EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AUTHORITY MINUTES
January 8th, 2026
The regular stated meeting of the East Central Regional Human Rights Authority (HRA) was called to order at 3:00 pm on Thursday, November 13th, 2025, at the State Office Building Conference Room B, 2125 South First Street, Champaign, IL 61820.
ROLL CALL
Present: Janet Manning, Sandra Dixon, Allison Frees-Williams, Mary Auth, Ingrid Wheeler, LaVeda Weidner-Cravens, Dan McCarthy and Adam Casario.
Absent: Paulette Brock
Staff: Lara Davis, Gene Seaman, and Simon Edleman
Guests: None
Adam Casario stated that there was a quorum present.
Adam Casario read the confidentiality statement reminded everyone that personally identifiable information should not be presented in public meetings to protect the privacy of those persons with disabilities on whose behalf the HRA conducts investigations.
INTRODUCTIONS
Simon recently started at IGAC Communication Director and will be based out of the East Central Region.
COMMUNICATION:
New rules were approved as of January 1st, 2026. HRA boards can have 7-9 members, and a quorum is now the majority of HRA member versus an automatic 5. Board members may attend a meeting virtually for a valid reason.
MINUTES
Th November 2025 HRA Board Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Mary Auth motioned that the minutes be approved. LaVeda Weidner-Cravens seconded, and the motion carried.
The November 2025 HRA Board Executive Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Sandra Dixon motioned that the minutes be approved. Dan McCarthy seconded, and the motion carried.
The July, September, and November 2025 HRA Board Executive Meeting Minutes were reviewed. LaVeda Weidner-Cravens motioned to keep the minutes confidential. Dan McCarthy seconded, and the motion carried.
New Business:
A. Ratifications:
1. Ratifications:
None
2. New Complaints:
26-060-9016 (Psychiatric Hospital) – Complaint Summary: The complaint alleges the facility failed to explain the admission and discharge process to the individual. Allegedly, the individual was not given a copy of her admission paperwork including patient bill of rights until she requested it 17 hours after admission. The complaint alleges the facility refused to allow the individual to be a part of her treatment planning. Allegedly, the individual was denied access to her records including her treatment plan. LaVeda Weidner-Cravens made a motion to not accept the complaint due to lack of a release. The motion was properly seconded by Mary Auth. Motion carried.
26-060-9018 (Developmental Center) – Complaint Summary: The complaint states the facility is closing one building for remodel and moving residents due to this. Allegedly, the individual’s personal property is being removed from her room to make room for a roommate. The complaint alleges staff refuses to train on medication approved for the individual. Allegedly, the individual is not able to take this medication without staff first being trained. Mary Auth made a motion to not accept the complaint due to handling informally. The motion was properly seconded by Adam Casario. Motion carried.
26-060-9019 (Psychiatric Hospital) – Complaint Summary: The complaint alleges the facility failed to explain the admission and discharge process to the individual. Allegedly, the individual thought he was being admitted into a 28 day rehab program but was instead admitted into a behavioral health unit. Allegedly, staff failed to explain the voluntary application to the individual. The complaint alleges staff did not explain to the individual how to request discharge or his rights. Allegedly, the individual was not provided a copy of his voluntary application or patient bill of rights. The complaint alleges there is no hot water at the facility and the facility is dirty with feces on the walls. The complaint further alleges the individual was given medication he did not consent to. Allegedly, the facility did not give the individual his medication and instead gave the individual Prozac without consent. Allegedly, staff did not inform the individual he could refuse medication. Sandra Dixon made a motion to table the complaint and wait for a release. The motion was properly seconded by Dan McCarthy. Motion carried.
26-060-9020 (School District) – Complaint Summary: The complaint alleges the school district denied the recipient an ADA accommodation request. Allegedly, the recipient asked to record meetings or have a scribe for a meeting she was to attend at the school, but the requests were denied. Allegedly, the school district offered alternative accommodations that did not work for the individuals disability. Mary Auth made a motion to not accept the complaint due to lack of release and handling informally. The motion was properly seconded by Sandra Dixon. Motion carried.
26-060-9021 (CILA) – Complaint Summary: The complaint alleges the facility failed to notify the guardian when the individual was sexually assaulted by a peer. Allegedly, the guardian found out about the sexual assault from the individual 8 days after the assault. The complaint alleges the facility failed to keep the individual free from abuse from a peer. Allegedly, after the sexual assault staff did not do anything to keep the individual safe from the peer. Additionally, the complaint alleges the individual has been abused by a peer for a few years and staff haven’t done anything to keep the individual safe. Sandra Dixon made a motion to accept the complaint. The motion was properly seconded by LaVeda Weidner-Cravens. Motion carried.
26-060-9022 (Developmental Center) – Complaint Summary: The complaint states the individual is to be on 2 to 1 supervision. Allegedly, the facility failed to supervise the individual resulting in the individual swallowing glass and inserting glass in his rectum. LaVeda Weidner-Cravens made a motion to accept the complaint. The motion was properly seconded by Sandra Dixon. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
Mary Auth made a motion to enter executive session at 3:28pm pursuant to Section 120/2 (c) (4) and Section 120/2 (C) (10) to discuss preliminary case activities of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 20). Section 3955/21 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955) allows for closed session discussion to protect the confidentiality of eligible persons and Section 110/5 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (740 ILCS 110) further protects the confidentiality of persons receiving mental health and developmental disability services; the motion was seconded by Allison Frees-Williams and carried as follows: Janet Manning– Yes; Allison Frees-Williams – Yes; Sandra Dixon – Yes; Mary Auth– Yes; Dan McCarthy – Yes; LaVeda Weidner-Cravens- Yes; Ingrid Wheeler- Yes; and Adam Casario-Yes. The purpose of the closed session was to discuss preliminary and confidential aspects of cases. The HRA returned to open session at 3:42 pm having taken no action in closed session. Executive minutes were recorded. A summary of closed session includes case acceptance details for Case #26-060-9021 and #26-060-9022; to discuss case progress for #26-060-9017; to discuss a draft report for Case #26-060-9008 and #26-060-9012; and to review and discuss provider responses to Case #25-060-9038, #26-060-9003, #26-060-9004, #26-060-9005, #26-060-9006, and #26-060-9010.
A. Draft Report:
26-060-9008 – Champaign Unit 4 – LaVeda Weidner-Cravens motioned to approve the draft report. The motion was properly seconded by Allison Frees-Williams. Motion carried.
26-060-9014 – Shapiro -Allison Frees-Williams motioned to approve the draft report. The motion was properly seconded by Adam Casario. Motion carried.
B. Case Closures:
25-060-9038 – Sarah Bush Hospital – Mary Auth motioned to accept the response, close the case and make the report a part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded by Allison Frees-Williams. Motion carried.
26-060-9003 – Shapiro – Sandra Dixon motioned to close the case and make the report a part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded by Allison Frees-Williams. Motion carried.
26-060-9004 – Shapiro – LaVeda Weidner-Cravens. motioned to close the case and make the report a part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded by Sandra Dixon. Motion carried.
26-060-9005 – Paris Rehab – Sandra Dixon motioned to close the case and make the report a part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded by Allison Frees-Williams. Motion carried.
26-060-9006 – Pavilion – Dan McCarthy motioned to table case closure and grant the request for an extension for a response. The motion was properly seconded by Adam Casario. Motion carried.
26-060-9010 – Shapiro – LaVeda Weidner-Cravens. motioned to close the case and make the report a part of the public record. The motion was properly seconded by Janet Manning. Motion carried.
C. Other Business
ADJOURNMENT
Dan McCarthy motioned to adjourn the meeting. The motion was properly second by Allison Frees-Williams. Motion carried.
Adam Casario adjourned the meeting at 3:46pm