The Sheriffs of 5 additional counties (McLean, Macon, Rock Island, Knock and Madison) have joined Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell in litigation requesting that the court strike down Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order regarding delayed admission of county jail inmates into the Illinois Department of Human Services for psychiatric treatment.
Campbell’s suit alleges that the Governor’s Executive Order violates the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
The lawsuit, filed by Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright on behalf of Campbell alleges that county jails have been “required to incur staff overtime costs, implement special housing accommodations, provide more frequent supervision, transport “unfit” detainees to periodic hospital visits arising from incidents of self-harm or other related injury, and undertake additional responsibilities associated with care and management of inmates suffering from severe mental illness without access to restorative treatment DHS is required by law to provide.”
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright has filed petitions for contempt against DHS in 9 criminal cases involving inmates awaiting transfer to state facilities for psychiatric treatment. While many have resulted in successful transfer of the subject inmates to DHS prior to a contempt hearing, one case resulted in a contempt finding against DHS Secretary Grace Hou. The inmate was admitted to DHS the next day. Wright has requested a Temporary Restraining Order against the Governor’s Executive Order and the related court hearing is scheduled for August 1st.