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Egyptian Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2026

Egyptian Regional Human Rights Authority

Meeting Minutes

July 9, 2026

 

The regular meeting of the Human Rights Authority (HRA) was held at Los Dos Gallos, 101 Leigh Ave., Anna IL. The meeting was called to order at 5:28 p.m.  Chairperson, Clarence Russell, read the confidentiality statement.  A quorum was present.

 

Members Present: Kathy Melvin, Eric Price, Kathy Rambeau, Tiffany Beisner, Clarence Russell and Gretchin Emrick

 

Members Absent: None

 

Staff Present: Kim Conway

 

Guests: Elizabeth Hamilton, Board Applicant

 

Minutes: Open meeting minutes from January 2026 were reviewed.  No changes were made.  Gretchin Emrick moved to approve the open meeting minutes. Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried.

 

Executive meeting minutes from January 2026 were reviewed.  No changes were made. Gretchin Emrick moved to approve the executive meeting minutes Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried.

 

Open meeting minutes from March 2026 were reviewed.  No changes were made.  Kathy Melvin moved to approve the open meeting minutes. Tiffany Beisner seconded, and it carried.

 

Due to not having a quorum in March, there were no executive minutes to approve.

 

Open meeting minutes from May 2026 were reviewed.  No changes were made.  Kathy Melvin moved to approve the open meeting minutes. Gretchin Emrick seconded, and it carried.

 

Due to not having a quorum in May, there were no executive minutes to approve.

 

Communications: Kim Conway discussed board openings.  Elizabeth Hamilton submitted an application and was present at the meeting to meet the board.  A second application from Audrey Stallings but her current school schedule prohibits meeting attendance. She is hoping that will change and she will be officially applying in September. She will keep HRA updated. A virtual HRA member board meeting is scheduled for the fall and the board discussed that Tuesday or Thursday afternoons are best for them.  Finally, Kim shared that the modernization bill to transform GAC into the Department of Advocacy and Guardianship has passed and will become effective July 1, 2027.

 

Ratifications:

 

March:

1.    26-110-9008 State Operated Facility – Alleges lack of guardian involvement in treatment. Tiffany Beisner moved to ratify case opening.  Gretchin Emrick seconded, and it carried.

 

2.    26-110-9010 CILA  - Alleges  inappropriate restriction of rights. Eric Price moved to ratify case opening Kathy Melvin seconded, and it carried.

 

3.    25-110-9016 Chester Mental Health – alleged lack of food/inadequate care. Kathy Melvin moved to ratify draft report approval Gretchin Emrick seconded, and it carried.

 

4.    25-110-9025 Liberty Village – alleged inadequate care.  Kathy Rambeau moved to ratify draft report approval Kathy Melvin seconded, and it carried. 

 

5.    25-110-9015 Chester Mental Health – Clarence Russell moved to ratify case closure making the findings part of the public record Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried.

 

6.    25-110-9020 Gateway Treatment Facility - Tiffany Beisner moved to ratify case closure making the findings part of the public record. Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried.

 

May:

7.    26-110-9011 High School – Alleges areas of the school are not accessible for students with mobility issues. Kathy Melvin moved to ratify case opening.  Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried

 

8.    26-110-9012 State Benefits Providing Agency – Alleges a reduction in hours provided is hindering appropriate services from being provided in the home.  Eric Price moved to ratify case opening.  Tiffany Beisner seconded, and it carried

 

9.    26-110-9013 Post-Acute Rehabilitation Facility – Alleges inadequate discharge process and that the recipient with a TBI is not being served in the least restrictive environment. Tiffany Beisner moved to ratify case opening.  Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried

 

10.  26-110-9014 State Operated Facility – Alleges inappropriate restriction on communication and involvement in treatment by not allowing family to participate in treatment despite having a release and the patient requesting involvement. Kathy Melvin moved to ratify case opening.  Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried

 

11.  25-110-9019 Williamson County Jail – alleges inadequate treatment due to a recipient not receiving medications.  Gretchin Emrick moved to ratify draft report approval Tiffany Beisner seconded, and it carried with Kathy Melvin abstaining from voting due to a conflict of interest. 

 

12.  25-110-9021 Choate Mental Health  – alleges inadequate care due to lack of staff.     Kathy Rambeau moved to ratify draft report approval Tiffany Beisner seconded, and it carried with Gretchin Emrick abstaining from voting due to a conflict of interest.

 

13.  25-110-9008 Crawford County Jail - alleges inadequate medical care for diabetes related issues with vision and neuropathy symptoms. Tiffany Beisner moved to ratify case closure, making the findings part of the public record. Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried with Kathy Melvin abstaining from voting due to a conflict of interest.

 

14.  25-110-9016 Chester Mental Health- alleges lack of food/inadequate care Kathy Rambeau moved to ratify case closure, sending the report to the Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery for informational purposes and making the findings part of the public record. Kathy Melvin seconded, and it carried.

 

15.  25-110-9025 Liberty Village – alleges inadequate care.   Kathy Melvin moved to ratify case closure making the findings part of the public record. Gretchin Emrick seconded, and it carried.

 

New Complaints:

 

27-110-9001 High School  – alleges lack of guardian communication.  Allegedly, the school was restraining the student for behavioral issues but did not notify guardian of restraint. Kathy Rambeau made a motion not to accept the case for investigation due to the issue being resolved and it not being a systemic issue.  Kathy Melvin seconded and it carried.

 

27-110-9002 State Operated Facility - alleges inappropriate restraint and inadequate treatment for not following a patient’s emergency preferences.  Allegedly, staff told patient that because he refused medication, he could not have snack. When the patient tried to take the snack from staff he was placed in restraints which is not his emergency preference plan. Tiffany Beisner made a motion to accept the case for investigation.  Gretchin Emrick seconded and it carried.

 

27-110-9003 State Operated Facility – alleges lack of guardian communication. The recipient had a fall and was sent to the emergency department without guardian notification. After returning to the facility, he had a seizure and went back to ED and then to another hospital without notification.  Kathy Rambeau made a motion to accept the case for investigation.  Tiffany Beisner seconded and it carried.

 

Other New Business:

 

The board discussed the nominations for Fiscal Year 2027 officers.  Clarence Russell was nominated for chairperson, Kathy Rambeau was nominated for vice-chairperson and Eric Price was nominated for secretary.  Tiffany Beisner made a motion to accept these nominations, Gretchin Emrick seconded and it carried.

 

Unfinished Business:  

 

Kathy Rambeau made a motion to enter executive session at 6:25 pm pursuant to Section 120/2 (c)(4) and Section 120/2(c)(10) pertaining to special education 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 Clarence Russell and carried as follows: Tifany Beisner yes; Kathy Melvin yes; Eric Price yes and Gretchin Emrick yes.  The purpose of the closed session was to discuss preliminary and confidential aspects of cases. No action was taken during closed session.

 

Case progress was reviewed for 25-110-9022, 25-110-9023, 26-110-9002, 26-110-9003, 26-110-9005, 26-110-9006, 26-110-9007, 26-110-9008, 26-110-9009, 26-110-9010, 26-110-9011, 26-110-9012, 26-110-9013 and 26-110-9014. Draft reports were considered for 25-110-9017, 25-110-9018 and 25-110-9024. Case closures were considered for 25-110-9019 and 25-110-9021.

 

Case Progress:

 

25-110-9022 Choate Developmental Center – alleges inappropriate restriction of rights.  The report was written but not in time to change the agenda, so the report will be reviewed at the September meeting.

25-110-9023 Choate Mental Health – Alleges inadequate discharge process. Gretchin Emrick exited the meeting due to a conflict of interest at 6:28 pm returning at 6:40 pm when discussion concluded.  Records have been requested from a northern hospital, still waiting on them to be received.  Case is still under investigation.

 

26-110-9002 Chester Mental Health – Alleges inadequate and inhumane care due to a physician’s order for double portions at meals not being followed. The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9003 Chester Mental Health – alleges inadequate treatment due to the recipient not seeing a therapist as per the treatment plan and not being served in the least restrictive environment. The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9005 Arrowleaf – Eric Price left the meeting at 6:41 pm due to a conflict of interest and returned at 6:42 pm once discussion had concluded. Alleges inadequate treatment planning. The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9006 Mulberry Center – Alleges inadequate treatment of a recipient by not following initial treatment plan and not administering medications per a court order. Alleges lack of guardian involvement in treatment by not involving the guardian in treatment meetings and not obtaining consent for mediation and tests.  Awaiting records from the facility.  The case is still under investigation.

 

26-110-9007 Support Services Team (SST) – Alleges inadequate treatment.  Allegedly the agency followed instructions from the Department of Children and Family Services regarding treatment disregarding the fact that the individual was his own guardian.  The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9008 Choate Developmental Center – Alleges lack of guardian involvement in treatment.  Gretchin Emrick exited the meeting at 6:28 pm due to a conflict of interest and returned at 6:40 pm once discussion had ended. Records have been received. The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9009 Anna-Jonesboro Community High School – Alleges a student’s IEP was not developed with consideration to accommodations that were in the 504 plan. Second interview was completed.  The case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9010 Foch CILA – Alleges inappropriate restriction of rights. The site visit was completed and the case is ready for report.

 

26-110-9011 Vienna High School – Alleges areas of the school are not accessible for students with mobility issues.  The site visit was completed.  Partial records have been received, awaiting the remainder.  The case is still under investigation.

 

26-110-9012 Department of Rehabilitation Services / Meridian – Alleges inadequate treatment planning.  Alleges a reduction in hours provided is hindering appropriate services to be provided in the home. A site visit has been scheduled; the case is still under investigation.

 

26-110-9013 NeuroRestorative – Alleges inadequate discharge process and that the recipient with a traumatic brain injury is not being served in the least restrictive environment.  The site visit is scheduled; the case is still under investigation.

 

26-110-9014 Chester Mental Health – Alleges inappropriate restriction on communication and involvement in treatment by not allowing family participation in care. The site visit is being scheduled.  The case is still under investigation.

 

Draft Reports:

 

25-110-9017 Chester Mental Health – Alleges a recipient is not being served in the least restrictive environment.  The board reviewed the report of findings and had no changes. Kathy Melvin made a motion to approve the draft report. Kathy Rambeau seconded and it carried.

25-110-9018 Chester Mental Health – Alleges inadequate treatment due to the therapist not meeting weekly as required in the treatment plan.  The board reviewed the draft report of findings and had no changes.  Tiffany Beisner made a motion to approve the draft report. Gretchin Emrick seconded and it carried.

 

25-110-9024 Mulberry Manor – Alleges inappropriate restriction of rights.  Tiffany Beisner exited the meeting at 7:15 pm due to a conflict of interest, returning at 7:20 pm once discussion had concluded.  The board reviewed the draft report of findings and had no changes.  Kathy Rambeau made a motion to approve the draft report.  Gretchin Emrick seconded and it carried.

 

Closures:

 

25-110-9019 Williamson County Jail – Alleges inadequate treatment. Kathy Melvin exited the meeting at 7:20 pm returning at 7:31 pm once discussion had concluded.  The board reviewed the response to the report of findings.  Gretchin Emrick made a motion to close the case and to make a referral for enforcement action.  Kathy Rambeau seconded, and it carried with Kathy Melvin abstaining from voting.

 

26-110-9021Choate Mental Health – Alleges inadequate care due to lack of staff.  Gretchin Emrick left the meeting at 6:28 pm and returned at 6:40 pm once discussion had ended. The board reviewed the response to the report of findings. Kathy Rambeau made a motion to close the case, Tiffany Beisner seconded, and it carried with Gretchin Emrick abstaining from voting.

Other New Business: None

Executive session ended at 7:30 pm.

Announcements from the Chair: The next meeting will be held on September 10, 2026.

Kathy Rambeau moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 pm.  The motion was seconded by Gretchin Emrick, and it carried. 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Eric Price, Secretary