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Murray Center Funding Included in FY 16 Plan

Centralia's Murray Developmental Center remains open, three years after former Governor Pat Quinn called for its closure.
Now, State Representative Charlie Meier says money is included in the Illinois budget proposal for the 2016 fiscal year to fully operate the facility for those with severe disabilities.

Meier says he's hopeful this means better days are ahead for the residents and the employees of the center.
 
"We hope to turn Murray Center into a shining beacon for the next 50 years to promote mental health issues and how to go into the future and service all of southern Illinois."
 
Meier says this is a huge relief for parents of residents at the Murray Center because they were concerned the community care settings proposed for them would not have adequate services.

"It's a huge relief for a lot of the parents who are getting very elderly. They're worried about what will happen with their child when they're gone. In many of these instances where they were going to be located they did not have the services to take care of them. That's any parent's worst nightmare, so there's a big sigh of relief."

Former Governor Pat Quinn called for the closing of the Centralia facility more than three years ago and transfer its residents into community care. Governor Bruce Rauner has vowed to keep the center open.

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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