Quinn will propose state facility closures

Gov. Pat Quinn says he’ll propose closing “quite a few” state facilities in his budget address next week.

The Democrat told The Associated Press Thursday that the closures are necessary for a better budget. He declined to give any specifics on the closures, saying details would come during his budget address Wednesday.

Quinn announced last month that he wants to close a Tinley Park mental hospital and a Jacksonville center for people with developmental disabilities in an effort to move people out of state institutions and into community care, like group homes.

His budget office predicted the two closings would save nearly $20 million.

Quinn has said his budget proposal will also include cuts to Medicaid. Quinn wants to slash about $2 billion of Illinois’ approximately $14 billion Medicaid budget.