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South Suburban February 11, 2026 Minutes
SOUTH SUBURBAN REGION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
CTF
(Conference Room)
18230 Orland Parkway
Orland Park, Illinois 60467
The regular scheduled meeting of the Human Rights Authority, South Suburban Region was called to order by Jennifer Hodges, the Chairperson at 10:10 a.m.
PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Jennifer Hodges, Carole Burns, Mahnur Hafeez, Allison Boyle, and Melissa Chandarana.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Abdurrahman Assaf and Elizabeth Campbell
STAFF: Geraldine Boatman, HRA Regional Disability Rights Manager
Tracey E. Fleming, Director of the Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission
GUESTS: The recipient involved in a closed case investigated by the East Central Region.
Ben Proffitt
I. CALL TO ORDER
The HRA Regional Chairperson read the confidentiality statement. It was determined that a quorum was present, and all business could be discussed.
II. COMMUNICATION
It was moved by Melissa Chandarana to accept the December 10th, 2025 open and closed meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Carole Burns and carried.
III. NEW COMPLAINTS
26-040-9007 (Nursing Home) The complaint stated as follows: 1) Cogentin medication was not given as prescribed, 2) medication provided for home visit was not sealed and labeled, 3) the staff were not able to explain what items residents are allowed to bring to the facility, and, 4) the facility refused to honor a resident’s request for discharge/transfer to another facility. The complainant and the recipient have been contacted by phone calls and emails many times about the need for a signed release. However, this has not been received yet. Carole Burns moved to postpone accepting the complaint for a signed release. The motion was seconded by Melissa Chandarana and carried.
26-040-9008 (Behavioral Health Hospital) The complaint stated that a recipient was forced to sign a voluntary application after he was admitted to a behavioral health unit. The recipient was informed that he would be discharged from the unit and then his discharge date was rescinded and his right to communication with persons of choice was restricted until he had agreed to sign a voluntary application. The complainant was contacted via email and phone, and she reported that the signed release had been returned. However, the complainant was informed that the release has not been received. Another release was email to the complainant for the recipient to sign, but it has not been returned yet. Carole Burns moved to postpone accepting the complaint for investigation for a signed release. The motion was seconded by Melissa Chandarana and carried.
26-040-9009 (Hospital) The complaint stated that a recipient had was detained for many hours and a copy of the petition was not provided. The complaint was discussed by phone with the recipient, and a release was sent via email to him. At this time, a signed release for investigation has not been returned. Carole Burns moved to postpone accepting the complaint for investigation for a signed release. The motion was seconded by Melissa Chandarana and carried.
26-040-9010 (Hospital) The complaint stated as follows: 1) the recipient was restrained and emergency medication was administered in the absence of an emergency many times, 2) the staff gave the recipient’s cell phone to a family member without her consent, 3) the physician had recommended medication, but the nursing staff refused to provide medication information, 4) the recipient did not receive her medication for Crohn Disease, and, 5) the recipient had signed a five day request for discharge, but the nurse would not accept the document. Carole Burns moved to postpone accepting the complaint for investigation for a signed release. The motion was seconded by Melissa Chandarana and carried.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Chairperson motioned to move the meeting into closed session at 10:18 a.m. pursuant to Section 21 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act (20 ILCS 3955/21) and Section 120/2 (c) (4) of the Open Meeting Act (5 ILCS 120/2) to discuss case assignments, progress reports, reports of findings, responses, and case closures. Carole Burns moved the motion. Melissa Chandarana seconded and carried as follows: Mahnur Hafeez (yes), and Allison Boyle (yes).
There were no new case assignments.
Progress Reports
24-040-9013 (Bria Place Nursing Home) The case record was received. A meeting was held with the facility on November 5th, 2025. Additional information was requested and received. A report will be presented at the next meeting.
24-040-9015 (Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital) The case record was received and the regional HRA has been waiting for a response for about six months for a meeting with hospital. The hospital’s Director of Risk Management was called during the meeting, and a voice message was left about the need to schedule a meeting. The HRA members will consider a subpoena for testimony if the service provider does not response by the next scheduled meeting on March 11th, 2026. The Regional Disability Rights Manager will send a letter to the hospital about a possible subpoena for testimony. Jennifer Hodges is assigned to the case because of Elizabeth Campbell’s absence from the regional board.
25-040-9001 (Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital) The case record was received. A meeting has not been scheduled at this time.
25-040-9005 (Ascension Saint Joseph Medical Center) The case record was received. The hospital has been contacted regarding a meeting.
25-040-9010 (Silver Cross Hospital) The record was received. A meeting will be scheduled.
25-040-9011 (Prime Saint Joseph Medical Center) The record has been received. A meeting will be scheduled
26-040-9003 (UChgo Medicine of Ingalls Memorial Hospital) The record has been received. The complaint was discussed with the hospital’s counsel at the regional meeting on December 10th, 2025, and requested policies have been received. A meeting will be scheduled.
Reports\Responses
25-040-9007 (Silver Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital) The report did not contain any violations. This case will be considered for acceptance upon returning to open session.
25-040-9013 (Light of Hope) A report was reviewed. The report will be considered for acceptance upon returning to open session.
Open session reconvened at 12:00 p.m. having taken no action in closed session. A summary of closed session included no new case assignments, seven progress reports, one report, and one case for possible closure. Carole Burns motioned to move the meeting into open session. Melissa Chandarana seconded and carried.
Reports\Cases Closures\Accept Responses\Make Available to the Public
25-040-9007 (Silver Cross Hospital) The report did not contain any violations. A response was not received. Carole Burns moved to close the case and to make the report public. The motion was seconded by Mahnur Hafeez and carried.
25-040-9013 (Light of Hope) The report contained a rights violation. Mahnur Hafeez moved to accept the report approved by the Program Director. The motion was seconded by Carole Burns and carried.
OTHER UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Amy Upson has resigned from the board.
The regional board can now consist of seven to nine members, the regional HRA presently has seven members, and a quorum is 4 members.
Mandatory training will be sent to the board members to complete.
The need for HRA volunteer members was discussed. The regional board has two openings for a community member.
The meeting packets were discussed.
The need to schedule site visits/virtual meetings were discussed.
The next HRA regional meeting is scheduled for March 11th, 2026, at Trinity Services, 301 Veteran Parkway, New Lenox, Illinois 60451.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The recipient involved in a closed case investigated by the HRA East Central Region said that the information reported by the medical center staff was not correct in the report. The recipient was very upset about the HRA’s report of findings. The recipient was informed that she should write a letter to the service provider and outline the statements that she does not agree with in her record. She was also informed that if the service provider does not agree to redact the statements that she could request that her letter of disagreement be part of her record. The Director of the Guardianship & Advocacy Commission (IGAC) told the recipient that she can file a complaint with the Illinois Public Health for possible resolution involving her care and treatment by the service provider. The recipient continued to express great dissatisfaction about the service provider, and she was eventually asked to step outside of the meeting room for further discussion with the IGAC Director about her grievance.
ADJOURMENT
The Chairperson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. Carole Burns moved the motion. Mahnur Hafeez second and carried.