Elgin lawmaker calls for mental health center audit
State Rep. Anna Moeller, an Elgin Democrat, wants the state's top auditor to investigate events surrounding an escaped prisoner from the Elgin Mental Health Center last summer.
Moeller wants Illinois Auditor General Bill Holland to both look into how Jesse Vega escaped and examine current procedures for prisoner transport at state-run facilities.
Vega jumped out of a health center vehicle on Elgin's northeast side while being transported to a Lake County court. He remained on the loose for eight hours while a nearby Boys & Girls Club and Elgin Academy were on lockdown.
“At that time of the escape, details needed to be fleshed out. The police department didn't have a lot of information when the incident occurred,” Moeller said.
Moeller says she met with representatives of the mental health center and the Elgin Police Department to discuss how Vega escaped from the car and what measures could be taken in future escapee situations.
Holland's office typically conducts regular audits of state agencies, but sometimes lawmakers ask him to look into more specific matters. For example, state Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Wheaton Republican, is requesting an audit of College of DuPage's finances following the $763,000 severance deal given to President Robert Breuder.
Moeller asked the state to investigate the escape last year, but lawmakers adjourned before considering the proposal.
“I think this is a good opportunity to step back and make sure employees and community members are safe,” Moeller said.