Ligas v. Maram (2011)
- 2008 – The plaintiffs reached a tentative agreement to give residents the choice to receive services in a community setting. This was challenged by some families, and the Court rejected the settlement and decertified the class
- 2011 – A settlement was reached to expand community living options for people with disabilities throughout Illinois
- 2005 – We partnered with advocacy groups to file a classaction lawsuit challenging Illinois’ antiquated institutional system
For many years, Illinois remained one of the worst offenders in the fight to deinstitutionalize people with developmental disabilities, channeling them into a system of large institutions and resisting community placements and services – a large-scale violation of civil rights and the law. In 2005, we partnered with Equip for Equality and other advocacy groups to file Ligas v. Maram, a class action lawsuit challenging Illinois’ antiquated institutional system and seeking community living arrangements for residents.
In 2008, the plaintiffs reached a tentative agreement with Illinois officials to give residents (or potential residents) the choice to receive services in community settings. However, some family members of institution residents filed objections to the proposed agreement, worried that it would force them out of their care facilities. The Court then rejected the settlement and decertified the class.
In January of 2011, a settlement was reached to expand community living options for people with disabilities throughout Illinois. The agreement will allow people with disabilities currently living in care facilities to move out into community living arrangements with needed supports. The agreement also allows residents to stay in care facilities if they wish, and it requires that the approximately 3,000 people with disabilities currently living in the community be provided with community services not being provided.
