Disability rights advocate Pritchard dies at 60

URBANA -- Lester Pritchard, chairman of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, and a nationally known advocate for people with disabilities has died. He was 60.

Pritchard, who had cerebral palsy, died Monday at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana of respiratory complications.

Pritchard was known nationwide for pushing governments to fund community-based services for people with disabilities that would allow them to live independently rather than in large institutions.

He fought to have Illinois close the Howe Developmental Center in suburban Chicago and to keep a center in Lincoln closed.

He was a co-founder of the disability rights group Campaign for Real Choice.

He's survived by his wife, Barbara, and several siblings. A memorial service will be held Friday.