Governor Quinn of Illinois states that the reason for the closure of Murray Center is because of budget issues, although the center takes in $10 million more than the $41 million it costs to operate every year.
The 275 patients, with 550 employees, depend on Murray Center. Many residents will be left homeless because they have nowhere else to go. Residents receive vital support services, as well as high quality, specialized medical care. Many Murray residents have severe developmental disabilities, complex health needs and challenging behaviors that have made it extremely difficult for them to live at home or in smaller group homes.
When Lincoln Developmental Center closed, 26 patients died as a result of being forced to be moved to less suitable environments and could happen again.