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Rep. Patti Bellock visits new Sequin residents
State Rep. Patti Bellock, R-47th of Hinsdale, recently visited with four new residents of Sequin Services in La Grange. They are former residents of the Jacksonville Development Center which is being closed later this year.
Updated: August 13, 2012 10:53AM
LA GRANGE — State Rep. Patricia Bellock, R-47th, of Hinsdale, co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, paid a visit to four new residents of a Seguin Services home in La Grange. In late spring these four men moved into this single-family home from their former residence, Jacksonville Developmental Center. The Jacksonville facility is set to close later this year by direction of Gov. Patrick Quinn, in his effort to reduce costs to state taxpayers while providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings.
Bellock has overseen hearings on the closure of Jacksonville and other state facilities at several locations statewide. Her many years of service on various disability-related committees give her a perspective of the issues that must be considered, as the state’s makes changes in the settings in which services are provided for individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs.
Bellock was able to see for herself how these men are adjusting and how they like their new home and services. She was able to greet the men and listen to their thoughts and feelings about the move and their future. She listened to their excitement of having their own rooms, and that they now live in a regular residential community in a normal neighborhood. She learned of how they are afforded opportunities to live, learn, work and recreate in community venues.
The new residents offered vignettes on the ways their lives have been transformed since arriving at Seguin. One of the men, Dony’a, has been able to see his mother several times since he has moved closer to home while another man, David, has been able to enjoy fishing with his housemates. Several of the men are involved in community employment since they have come to Seguin.
