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Peoria January 21, 2026 Minutes
PEORIA REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AUTHORITY MINUTES
January 21, 2026
The regular stated meeting of the Peoria Regional Human Rights Authority (HRA) was called to order at 10:05 am Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Guardianship &Advocacy Commission 6th floor conference room 401 Main St. Suite 620 Peoria, Il.
ROLL CALL
Present: Connie Hardy, Sharon Tear, Meri Tucker, Heather Choi, Dianna Taylor Meneses, Jim Runyon, Tracy Wright and Joan Rice (remote).
Absent: None
Staff: Erin Nowlan
Gene Seaman
Guests: None
Connie Hardy read the confidentiality statement: Illinois law protects the privacy of those persons with disabilities on whose behalf the Human Rights Authority conducts investigations. The Authority welcomes concerned citizens wishing to present information. We remind all citizens and guests that public reference to any name, description, or other information, which would identify an eligible person or the family without consent, is strictly prohibited.
Introductions were made.
The motion was made by Meri Tucker to enter closed session at 10:15am am pursuant to Section 120/2 (c) (4) and (10) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 20), Section 3955/10 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955) and Section 110/5 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (740 ILCS 110); the motion was seconded by Diana Taylor Meneses and carried as follows: Connie Hardy – yes, Sharon Tear– yes, Tracy Wright -yes, Dianna Taylor Meneses - yes, and Heather Choi - yes. The purpose of the closed session was to discuss preliminary case activities and confidential aspects of case. Board returned to Open session at 11:05am having taken no action in closed session. Executive minutes were recorded. A summary of closed session includes: Case acceptance details for 26-090-9002, 26-090-9003, 26-090-9004, 26-090-9005, 26-090-9006, and 26-090-9007. Case specific details to discuss a draft report for cases #25-090-9004, 25-090-9011, and 25-090-9016. To discuss investigation information for Case #25-090-9017 and 25-090-9019. To review and discuss provider responses to Case #24-090-9005, #24-090-9010, #24-090-9015, and #24-090-9018 to consider case closure. Tracy Wright arrived during open session at 10:12am.
MINUTES
Motion to approve informal open meeting minutes from November 19, 2025 made by Meri Tucker. Seconded by Dianna Taylor Meneses.
Ratifications:
Motion to approve ratification of 9/17/25 meeting minutes made by Sharon Tear. Seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to table of case closure for 26-090-9002 made by Joan Rice and seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to table of case closure pending release for 26-090-9003 made by Meri Tucker. Seconded by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to table of case closure pending release for 26-090-9004 made by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Seconded by Sharon Tear. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to table case closure pending release for 26-090-9005 made by Joan Rice. Seconded by Jim Runyon. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025,meeting action to close case due to no release for 26-090-9001 made by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion passes.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to close case and make the report public for 24-090-9024. Motion made by Joan Rice and seconded by Jim Runyon. Motion passes. Case closed.
Motion to ratify November 19, 2025, meeting action to close case and make the report public for case 25-090-9005. Motion made by Jim Runyon and seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion passes. Case closed.
New Cases:
26-090-9002 – Non-profit Payee Service - Improper management of social security benefits for an adult with a mental illness - complaint alleges that a money management service is not communicating with an individual who they are payee for and refusing to be transparent with how much money they are saving on their behalf. They will not give extra money during the month and are not providing at a minimum a quarterly statement. The service is also charging fees of $65 per month. Motion to table case opening pending release made by Jim Runyon. Seconded by Sharon Tear. Motion passes.
26-090-9003 – CILA Provider - Inadequate service and supports managing personal funds of an individual who is under adult guardianship – complaint alleges a Provider is not documenting financial transactions on personal spending or providing receipts to verify purchases of a resident who has a legal guardian. The guardian has requested itemized receipts and previous balance for cash on hand that is kept at the home in a "money bag" and is not provided with an accurate accounting. This lack of financial safekeeping has resulted in $200 worth of cash belonging to an individual who relies on staff to go to/from the bank and/or shopping in the community has gone missing. There is concern that the provider is not reporting information in a timely manner to the agency that inspects the facility for abuse and neglect issues. Motion to table case opening pending release made by Jim Runyon. Seconded by Meri Tucker.
26-090-9004 – Mobile Crisis Response - Patient rights violation – a recipient contacted an emergency behavioral health provider who arrived at her home with police after “accidentally” saying things that staff responded to as meeting criteria for an emergency. The recipient was subsequently transferred to the emergency room for an assessment and admitted. The complaint alleges the recipient was told by emergency staff her three cats would be taken care of and they were not. The recipient was not informed of her rights to refuse going to the hospital and having behavioral health needs met in a less restrictive manner such as outpatient treatment. Motion to close case due to no release made by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Seconded by Sharon Tear. Case closed.
26-090-9005 – Emergency Department - Improper involuntary admission process for behavioral health care – petition and certificate for involuntary admission process were not completed as mandated by the MHDD Code. Motion to close case due to no release made by Jim Runyon. Seconded by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Case closed.
26-090-9006 – Behavioral Health Unit – Inadequate and inhumane treatment – The complaint alleges that staff are giving people knives to try and kill a patient. The patient is on a watch status and they are not completing 15 minute in person checks only watching the camera. The patient believes they have been sexually assaulted at the hospital and has syphilis. Someone is entering the patient’s room at night. The patient is being refused medical care and has requested testing for a sexually transmitted infection. Motion to table case opening pending release made by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Seconded by Sharon Tear.
26-090-9007 – Hospital - Improper involuntary admission process and patient rights violation - The complaint alleges a patient was admitted to ICU for an alleged suicide attempt. The patient was actually experiencing a "thyroid storm" which is medical due to an outpatient doctor discontinuing thyroid medications. When the patient was admitted to the ICU at some point the treatment team began the behavioral health admission process and the patient was transferred to the inpatient behavioral health unit. The admission started as an involuntary and then switched to a voluntary. The patient did not have the process explained. The patient did not receive any paperwork about the admission or medications she received during the admission. Did not receive a shower until Friday, a few days after admission. The patient did not receive a copy of the rights form or involuntary or voluntary admission documentation. Motion to open case made by Meri Tucker. Seconded by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Case open.
Draft Reports:
25-090-9004 – Galesburg CUSD 205 – Special Education Services – motion to approve draft report and send to provider made by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion carries.
25-090-9011 – Trillium Place – Pekin – motion to approve draft report and send to provider made by Jim Runyon. Seconded by Sharon Tear. Motion carries.
25-090-9016 – PATH Crisis Center – motion to approve draft report and send to provider made by Joan Rice. Seconded by Jim Runyon. Motion carries.
Case Closures:
24-090-9005 – OSF Healthcare – Peoria – motion to table case closure, grant provider’s request for extension for second response to be received within thirty days made by Meri Tucker. Seconded by Dianna Taylor Meneses. Motion carries.
24-090-9010 – CityLink/CityLift Transdev Paratransit Service – motion to close case and make report public made by Joan Rice. Seconded by Sharon Tear. Case closed.
24-090-9015 – OSF Healthcare – Peoria – motion to table case closure pending second response to be received within thirty days made by Jim Runyon. Seconded by Meri Tucker. Motion carries.
25-090-9018 – EP!C – motion to table case closure pending second response made by Jim Runyon. Second by Joan Rice. Motion carries.
Other Business:
GAC & HRA Rule Changes: 59 ILL Admin Code 310.
Board Member Applications.
ADJOURNMENT
Connie Hardy adjourned the meeting at 11:31am