Illinois has a long history of failing to provide community services for people with disabilities, forcing them into institutions like Alden for care. This places our clients who want to live in the community at the mercy of Alden’s inadequate staffing.

Most states use nursing facilities to house older adults. However, in Illinois 25% of residents are under 65. Alden facilities include younger people with mental illness and with physical disabilities. One Alden facility includes children with developmental disabilities. 4 of the 11 named plaintiffs are under 65.

In this case, we seek to end Alden’s systemic neglect of its residents, whether they be older adults or younger people with disabilities; whether it’s a place they wish to live out the rest of their lives or a place to live until they can be transitioned to the community. Alden made a legal commitment to keep our clients safe, and through this lawsuit, we intend to hold them accountable for failing to fulfill that commitment.

Barry C. Taylor
Vice President, Civil Rights and Systemic Litigation