“Nearly 50 advocates and activists showed up at the Chicago Dirksen Courthouse to let the court know Illinois has failed to meet the requirements [of laws enforcing the right of persons with disabilities to live in the community]. We then marched nearly a mile to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office while loudly chanting: “Free our parents, free our children, free our people now” and “Our homes, not nursing homes,” among many others.”
CHICAGO — On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Chicago ADAPT joined local independent living centers, The Arc of Illinois, and the Humanize Long-Term Care Campaign to attend a court hearing concerning updates on Colbert and Williams Consent Decrees, lawsuits won over 15 years ago meant to enforce the Olmstead Consentt Decree and the right to live in the community.
Nearly 50 advocates and activists showed up at the Chicago Dirksen Courthouse to let the court know Illinois has failed to meet the requirements.
We then marched nearly a mile to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office while loudly chanting: “Free our parents, free our children, free our people now” and “Our homes, not nursing homes,” among many others.
Upon arrival, we formed a gauntlet outside the office building. Fran Tobin with the Alliance for Community Services, provided an update on what happened during the court hearing. It was more of the same tired posturing from the administration who said they were doing all that they could. The court acknowledged the strong presence our group represented.
Barb Pritchard, a long-time advocate from central Illinois, spoke on the history of failure of Illinois through multiple administrations to honor Olmstead while highlighting J.B. Pritzker’s deliberate actions to sabotage the effort to meaningfully fulfill the consent decrees.
Abla Gharib of Chicago ADAPT, reminded us why people with disabilities need community services in the community, Michael Grice of Chicago ADAPT shared his experiences as a multiple time survivor of nursing facilities, and Ebony Payne from the Humanize Long-Term Care Campaign shared her experiences as a survivor of a nursing facility.
Scott Nance of Chicago ADAPT, highlighted the anger we all feel around this administration, the love we have for each other to show up in defiance, and to remember folks who languish now or have perished in a facility.
Then, the fireworks started.
We marched to the government building to personally deliver a letter demanding support for a Freedom Fund: a housing subsidy bill for newly freed nursing facility survivors, that was previously sent in April that was promptly ignored. The accessible entrances to the building were locked and staff coming and going from their lunch breaks were redirected to other entrances and exits.
Government staff refused to meet with us and we were faced with a decision to escalate or not. This was the first in-person action Chicago ADAPT had participated in since 2020.
The next court hearing is July 22, 2026. Chicago ADAPT and allies will be there!
Scott Nance of Chicago ADAPT Photo by Kathy Powers
