ANNA, Illinois (KFVS)— Plans are in the works to increase the number of beds for mental health services in civilian units at the Choate Center for Mental Health and Development in Anna, the Illinois Department of Human Services announced Monday, October 28.

The expansion is scheduled to begin on November 1.

The hospital currently has 50 patient beds, with plans to add up to 25 more beds in the next few months.

This is part of a three-year transformation initiative Announced by Governor JB Pritzker and IDHS in March 2023.

According to IDHS, the 229-acre Choate campus will be redesigned to accommodate patient capacity and other State needs.

IDHS said the initiative aims to repurpose portions of the Choate campus and reshape the state’s approach to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

The outlines of the plan announced in 2023 are as follows:

• Three-year repurposing of the Choate Center for Mental Health and Development in partnership with SIU School of Medicine.
• Implementation of new security improvements at Choate and all State Operated Development Centres, including the appointment of a Chief Resident Security Officer and now an Agency Security Officer
• Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue community-based living opportunities while continuing to invest in community provider capacity

“As the state continues to support the needs of the residents of Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, we are putting safety, respect and community first,” Governor Pritzker said in a statement. “This new expansion, part of our ongoing transformation plan, provides personalized care options for patients with serious mental health needs.”

Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine, along with the IDHS Department of Mental Health and the Department of Developmental Disabilities, made recommendations to increase the number of beds at the facility.

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