Judge allows closure of mental hospital to proceed

A judge has denied a motion that could have required Illinois to delay Gov. Pat Quinn’s planned closure of a mental hospital in Tinley Park.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Nancy Jo Arnold on Thursday agreed with state officials on key elements of the case. That means Illinois can close Tinley Park Mental Health Center on July 1 as planned.

Mental Health America of Illinois and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Illinois are suing the state. Attorney Mark Heyrman says the advocates want to make sure Illinois redirects money saved from not operating Tinley Park Mental Health Center to other services for the mentally ill in the community.

Heyrman says the plaintiffs’ next steps could include seeking a permanent injunction or summary judgment, and then appealing.