Judge to decide on Illinois plan for mentally ill

CHICAGO -- A judge says he'll issue an opinion "in due course" on a proposed plan to settle a federal class-action lawsuit concerning how the state of Illinois treats the mentally ill.

U.S. District Judge William Hart heard testimony Tuesday in Chicago on the agreement.

It would give thousands of mentally ill state aid recipients a chance to move into apartments and small homes, with support services.

The hearing drew hundreds of people, including many family members. The audience filled the courtroom and two overflow rooms.

Some parents and siblings of the mentally ill tearfully told the judge they fear their loved ones would be homeless or in prison if the institutions close.

But others say they want their family members to have a choice of where to live.