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* 12:57 pm - From the AP…
A group of disabled protesters is blocking access to elevators and escalators in a government office building in downtown Chicago.
A wall of wheelchairs is preventing occupants of the James R. Thompson Center from exiting or entering their offices, although people are being allowed into the building.
The protesters from the advocacy group ADAPT made a similar effort Monday, blocking the entrances to the American Medical Association in Chicago for more than three hours.
The group wanted the AMA to push for legislation that could lead to more housing options for people with disabilities.
Thanks to a commenter for the tip. For readers at the Thompson Center, is this over yet? I’ll make some calls as well.
* 1:07 pm - Yep. It’s still going on. I’m told it’s pretty loud there, too.
* 1:10 pm - I’m told that security isn’t allowing people to reenter the building, so you might want to stay in your office.
* 1:12 pm - If you were going to the Secretary of State driver’s license facility on the lower level, you should make other plans. The entrance is blocked.
* 1:14 pm - Apparently, they have a permit and the coppers are allowing them to block the entrances, which is bizarre if you ask me.
* 1:38 pm - Quote of the week (public blog) is from John Laesch, a Democrat running for the second time for Congressman Denny Hastert’s seat. Laesch’s heavily favored Democratic opponent, Bill Foster, was just endorsed by Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias…
Laesch shrugged off Giannoulias’ endorsement, calling him “just a wealthy guy who bought himself an office.”
“I don’t think it’s a big endorsement of any kind,” he said.
[Hat tip: Bridget]
* 1:53 pm - This protest may not end soon. An e-mail from a higher-up who checked out a rumor for me…
Apparently there is no timeframe. Yesterday they were at the AMA for three hours. Last time they were at the jrtc, they stayed until the building closed at 6 pm and that’s what building management expects they’ll do here today as well.
* 2:15 pm - Here’s a photo of yesterday’s action by this group, called “ADAPT,” taken from the organization’s website. They sealed off the entrance to the AMA…
And here’s some info about what the group wants, also taken from its website…
ADAPT, the nations leading direct action disability rights organization, gathers in Chicago to put the brakes on people flooding into institutions and nursing homes. Illinois ranks 41st in providing options to expensive facilities and has a history of being one of ADAPT’s ten worst states at providing home and community alternatives. Rather than progress toward integration and choice, Illinois Governor Blagojevich has failed to reasonably support Money Follows the Person legislation and is planning to reopen an institution for people with developmental disabilities.
* 4:16 pm - An e-mail just arrived from the US Attorney’s office…
Please find attached the Answer of the United States to Petition for Rehearing or for Rehearing En Banc in U.S. v. Warner and Ryan that was filed today in the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
* 4:19 pm - From a higher-up at the Thompson Center…
Illinois State Police is requesting that employees use emergency stairways to exit the building. And, protesters just got a second wind.
Irony of all ironies, this means that disabled employees may be trapped.
* 5:24 pm - The protesters are still outside, but are no longer blocking the entranceways, so state employees can leave without using the stairs now.
* 5:28 pm - From the Not Dead Yet blog, which has also been covering the protests today…
Latest news: This just in from Diane Coleman:
The negotiations were a success.
1. The governor has agreed to meet with ADAPT by no later than October 17th.
2. There will be no re-opening of Lincoln Developmental Center as a residence for people with disabilities during the present administration.
3. Rahnee Patrick will be an ADAPT liaison on the Governor’s “Money Follows the Person” Advisory Committee.(caveat - I got all this in a rushed phone call with lots of background noise so there might be some details slightly off that will be edited later.)
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:00 pm
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Still going on, and getting louder. The building is on lockdown. Employees can leave, but are not able to come back into the building if they go to lunch, etc. The smokers are getting restless
Subsisting on microwave popcorn and vending machine fare for now…
Comment by JRTC 6th floor Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:12 pm
Is the Governor in the building?
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:17 pm
It’s good to see somebody protesting something effectively for a change. Then again, I’m not at the JRTC. Hang in there, people.
Comment by punkyqb Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:19 pm
===Is the Governor in the building?===
Are you kidding? He goes there less than he goes to Spfld.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:21 pm
Employees were notified that only in medical emergencies are people being allowed up into the JRTC.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:25 pm
Good comeback Rich… I lost my mind for a minute, I am too distressed over Miss Tuscola losing her crown!!!
Comment by He makes Ryan Look like a Saint Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:25 pm
Over a hookah, of all things. What has this world come to?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:25 pm
* 1:14 pm - Apparently, they have a permit and the coppers are letting them continue blocking the entrances, which is bizarre if you ask me.
————————————————-
That would look good: ISP and/or Chicago Police throwing out a bunch of disabled people. The lack of action by the authorities is to prevent negative PR.
It’s not right, of course. Disabled people should have to obey the same laws as everyone else, but the perception would be one of the state bullies thrashing the weak.
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:27 pm
Side note, the JRTC webcam is not working at all which sucks for those wanting to view the fun…
Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:35 pm
Just wait for the disabled CTA rider protest…
Comment by OneManBlog Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:37 pm
According to last night’s WGN news, they had the same protest Monday at the Downtown offices of the AMA. The police let them block entrance to the building for awhile and then carted them off.
Comment by puzzler Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:38 pm
This is the moment I’ve been waiting for!
Comment by Torch and Pitchfork salesman Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Me too!
Comment by Blago effigies R us Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Good for the protesters.
I believe five disabled individuals in Cook County recently filed a lawsuit claiming that
the state is forcing disabled individuals into institutional care in violation of ADA requirements that the disabled be helped to live in the most integrated (with the community) setting possible.
Illinois dedicates most of its long-term care funding to institutional care.
Wonder who benefits? Lobbyists for the nursing home industry? Pols and their relatives with
nursing home contracts. Patronage workers in state instituions like the infamous Howe Developmental Center?
Not only are we taxpayers paying hundreds of millions into the state’s institutional care coffers, we’re also paying for the wrong kind of care.
Kudos to the protesters and the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. If you don’t have enough money to bribe a pol or two in Illinois (or hire a lobbyist to do it), and the disabled likely don’t, making a little noise sometimes helps.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:45 pm
Blago effigies R us
Why do I suspect your product burns really bright for about 3 seconds then vanishes without a trace.
Comment by OneManBlog Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:46 pm
Good for them.
Blago needs to meet with these protestors face to face. There’s no reason to put any employees in the line of danger. If they want to meet with Blago, he should chat with them about their issues. No group should ever be overlooked.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:52 pm
9/11/01: the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules was scheduled to meet at JRTC in Chicago, but the meeting was postponed for a week (because of the terrorist attacks) and the building was locked down (same reason).
9/11/07: JCAR was scheduled to meet at JRTC in Chicago (because the GA normally is not in session during September), but the meeting has been postponed for a week (to coincide with the Senate session on transit) and the building is locked down. Talk about deja vu…
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:55 pm
Rich,
Lol, maybe they should protest at the Bank building.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:57 pm
I hope ADAPT people head over to AFSCME next. They are the ones that are keeping people in institutions to protect union jobs.
Comment by JP Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:57 pm
Rich, what type of permit allows them to block exits? I’m actually impressed with this action, but kind of shocked that a permit would allow the blocking of exits, at what point does it become a safety issue?
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 1:59 pm
They are shouting, “We want the Governor! ”
LOUDLY
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:01 pm
The ADAPT protesters are in Chicago for a national convention. Few are Illinois residents. The same group shut down JRTC in 1992. It’s what they do. This is not an effective advocacy group, but primarily one that chooses to make a lot of noise. Their goal is to cause disruption and get arrested. Police don’t keep them long and they are back in their hotel in the evening and on for more mischief the next day. The JRTC police met with building administrators Monday morning to give a heads up on this. They didn’t say so, but there is apparently a deal for the protesters to leave by 3:30 or so that workers can go home. That’s what happened at the AMA building yesterday.
Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:03 pm
Anon, I don’t think the governor can hear them in North Ravenswood.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:08 pm
If what DuPage Dave said is true wouldn’t building administrators be obligated to share that info with employees? And what would be the controversy if certain people were tipped off of the protest and stayed away while rank and file employees were left in the dark?
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:09 pm
Ok protesters this is getting a little old. I am all for freedom of speech, but blocking all exits is ridiculous not to mention unsafe. I am pretty sure no other group would getaway with this. Also, not to mention it is 9/11. Doesn’t seem like the brightest move for the government to allow for exits being blocked.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:11 pm
check out what the State pays for CILA residents. I am familiar with one CILA that is running a deficit without donated funds, because the State, as usual, is underpaying.
So moving disabled residents from institutions - and implementing the Olmstead Decision - is effectively blocked by the usual State rates insufficiency for community based services…
Comment by capitol view Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:24 pm
Isn’t it ironic that most of those fancy motorized wheelchairs blocking the doors were paid for by Medicare or Medicaid?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:42 pm
If nothing else, you have to admit their protest has catalyzed a conversation about the rights of those with disabilities amongst Capitol Fax commenters.
Comment by schenked Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:44 pm
Windy, would you really be surprised if people working at JRTC weren’t notified? The governor’s top staff and Blago himself are all about being insulated and letting the lower-level employees take the grief and abuse.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:45 pm
ADAPT does this often. Where’s the news? All it does is make state employees use the stairs … which they should do more often anyway.
Comment by Mr. CUB Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:52 pm
They’re now chanting, “…we’re blocking all the exits and you can’t get out…”
Comment by undisclosed location Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:55 pm
The stairs are blocked too, Mr. Cub.
Comment by Mr CUB is DUM Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 2:55 pm
JP makes a good point. As long as there are hundreds of union jobs in the State-Ops, the state will never make a genuine effort to close/downsize and reinvest in community settings. THis will only happen if these union jobs are “transferable” to community settings. Now, this suggests a mutual goal and collaboration with clients, the state, the community system, and the unions. Wait….did I just suggest policy over politics, what was I thinking
Comment by To JP Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:11 pm
They want the Governor? By my count, that makes one group that does…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:11 pm
We were told by our agency that this (the protestors, blocking elevators, etc.) might happen. I don’t work at the JRTC, though, I work in another state building.
Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:17 pm
makes one think of the seinfeld line “what’s the handicapped parking situation at the special olympics”
Comment by hmmmm... Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:28 pm
DuPage Dave said that “few” of the protesters are Illinois residents. Out of a crowd of 500, I’d estimate that at least 50 of the activists are from Illinois. The four-person negotiating team on the 16th floor is made up of Illinois activists.
There was no “deal” with police or anyone about the time the protest would end that I’ve heard - in regard to yesterday or today.
And I have to say I am *really* in the wrong line of work. I don’t get to leave the office until 5:30 pm.
One more word - quite a few people here seem to be making a mistake about viewing ADAPT activism and tactics in isolation - rather than one part of a multi-level approach to advocacy. A lot of these activists have jobs in which they do the more traditional advocacy stuff.
Comment by sndrake Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:49 pm
I assume anyone who really needs to get in or out can go through the CTA entrance.
The State definitely is not in compliance with the intent of the Olmstead decision,which dictates that states should make mental healtn services available in the least restrictive environment. Generally community care options are substantially less expensive than nursing home care, which as some have already noted, speaks to the power and influence of the nursing home industry.
Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:49 pm
Why hasn’t someopne just pushed them out of the way and gone through the door?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:54 pm
love all the state empolyees on this blog, you give yourselves up when giving updates on the siuation at the thompson center. keep up the good work! don’t work too hard!!
Comment by b-dogg Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:54 pm
need a Hookah support group to bring there glass pipes and stage the same shut in protest. Will contrast nicely with all the windows.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:55 pm
Like any other loud organization, they are probably doing this for the publicity and for increased charitable contributions to their organization that results. For example, PETA is loud, rakes in money, but kills more dogs they take in than most shelters. Likewise, these folks make a lot of noise, get a lot of publicity, and likely rake in contribution money while doing little of consequence for people with disabilities. Meanwhile, because they are disabled, they are allowed to create a safety issue for those working at the JRTC.
Comment by They are in it for contributions Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:57 pm
b-dogg, state employees have an absolute right to post here, or anywhere else. Back off.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 3:57 pm
PETA isn’t exactly the gold standard of advocacy orgs. But they make a nice straw man, don’t they?
Comment by Ok, no Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:06 pm
I work at the JRTC and for the state. I had to beave and I decided to take 2 personal hours because I just couldn’t take the chanting anymore. I don’t have the luxury of having a door or an office for that fact. I have a cubicle along the ringwall at the JRTC.
It was a bit funny when the protesters were chanting “we want the governor”, there were a bunch of state employees looking down at the excitment and you would hear the random “we do too” or “good luck” or “try his house - he’s nver here”.
What I do resent from the Administration, is that while all the budget negotiations were going on the Gov’s staff had no problem getting an email to us telling us that the Gov would make sure we all get paid on time - BUT, when we are starving for information, they suddenly forgot our email addresses.
One more thing- we were told by the CMS police that we should pack a lunch for tomorrow, because this group may be back.
Comment by state employee too Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:08 pm
Amen to “To JP” at 3:11. There is a lot of negativity in this discussion (here and anytime this issue is raised) when cooperation is what’s needed.
Community settings are appropriate for most of the disabled, though a small percentage (those with the most severe needs) requires the care that state operated centers provide.
Both state ops and community settings need more appropriate state investment. Advocates for each should work together to increase both instead of fighting one another and hurting everyone.
Also, people need to get out of this backward mindset against the union. AFSCME has many members in community agencies as well as state ops, so they are working to improve the whole system, not one facet of it.
Comment by Amen Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:13 pm
I don’t see how the fire department can allow the exits to be blocked.
Just pull a fire alarm.
Maybe the Mayor can go over there and upstage the governor.
I would be leaving at 5pm, even if I had to crawl over people.
Comment by Shelbyville Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:30 pm
Not all exits are blocked. Just 2 of the 3 public ones (LaSalle Street and Lake Street). IMO, it really isn’t a fire hazard because the stairs we use to evacuate are not those exits, so if something were to happen those 2 blocked doors don’t effect us.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:40 pm
Pull a fire alarm? Crawl over people? Remember the E2 disaster - what if these stairwells get too crowded? Come on Chicago.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:41 pm
You can make a political point without endangering the general public. You can make a political point without becoming throwing your bodies in front of folks.
If I were to be in a wheelchair or if I were 800 pounds, I would still be a gentleman capable of being recognized for a political point I wish to make without resorting to circus antics.
These people look even more pitiful with this PR stunt.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:43 pm
These folks are radicals - they don’t just want to shut down state-operated facilities. They don’t want private nursing home options, either. One was quoted in today’s Chicago Tribune saying “no one” should be in a nursing home, even the folks who prefer to be there - it just shouldn’t be an option!
“There’s a myth that nursing homes are a necessary and important option. But we disagree with that,” said Rene David Luna, a wheelchair user who works for Access Living, a Chicago advocacy group for people with disabilities. “It shouldn’t be an option at all.”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 4:48 pm
Rich - What’s Giannoulias doing endorsing candidates for congress in competitive democratic primaries? Is he trying to play kingmaker? Maybe that and/or some related issues deserve a seperate thread?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 5:58 pm
Is it against the law or something?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 6:04 pm
Can the Governor sue these people for blocking the doorway?
Comment by Herself Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 6:27 pm
“2. There will be no re-opening of Lincoln Developmental Center as a residence for people with disabilities during the present administration.”
As a resident of Lincoln I can say with all certainty that these people need not have worried….Blago sold the city of Lincoln down the river a long time ago. Ask Bomke about what this governors’ word means.
At least Ryan had the decency to look you in the eye when he was reaching around and stealing your wallet.
Comment by Lincoln Log Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 6:57 pm
The MWRD violates the ADA all the time
Comment by Chuck Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 7:09 pm
AFSCME should sue whoever is the idiot that granted them a permit to block the entrances and exits of a state building where state employees work. This is unacceptable behavior. All employees should be able to leave for lunch, not to mention leave for doctors appointments and the like.
Comment by It's Just Me Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 8:17 pm
How fitting that this occurred on September 11, because these “protesters” are essentially terrorists. They should have been physically removed, like they were at the AMA building. I don’t care if they’re disabled; they have to follow the law like everyone else. All the businesses in the food court lost money today, and they have nothing to do with these policies. What if every special interest group pulled this stunt? The CTA protesters can shut it down tomorrow, the environmental protesters on Thursday, and animal rights people on Friday. Bowing down to/encouraging bad behavior simply rewards it and causes more of the same.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 11, 07 @ 10:58 pm
These people will find it necessary to protest again, and perhaps even with a larger show of force, when they realize that Blago has lied to even them about meeting with their group by October 17. Someone may meet with them but I’m betting it won’t be the governor. They will realize what most of us know - Blago’s word means nothing.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 12:16 am
SAY IT AGAIN…Blago’s word means nothing, zero, zip, nada
Comment by Mr. Ed Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 6:06 am
Anon 10:58, equating peaceful protesters with terrorists is pretty darned anti-American. Obnoxious? Yes. Terrorists? Have you lost your mind?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 6:09 am
Peaceful protesters stay in one area and do not selfishly put their own needs above the rights of everyone else to go about their business. What about the state employees with medical issues such as blood sugar problesm that cannot skip lunch just to make a silly, empty political point? What about the disabled state employees who could not use the fire stairs or the elderly or infirm who had to walk down 16 flights of stairs for a non-emergency? These ADAPT people say give us what we want or we will shut you down. That is economic terrorism at the least. I think it is un-American to tell someone that their opinion is un-American. The protest is not peaceful when they are trespassing and disturbing the peace. If they want to assemble on the plaza and not impede others’ lawful business, that’s fine. But otherwise they deserve to be stepped on/climbed over. And how many taxes do these people pay who are constantly demanding more state money and services? I bet little, if any. This truly is a culture of entitlement.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 10:29 am
Anon, just because you have an opinion, doesn’t make it a fact. Expect to have things thrown back at you on occasion, just like everyone else here.
You called them terrorists, which is simply outrageous, over the top and, yes, completely un-American.
Were you terrified by them? If so, you really need to get a life.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 10:33 am
Well, I’m not terrified of Bin Laden. So by your definition, he’s not a terrorist.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 11:02 am
LOL.
Good God man, but are you delusional.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 11:06 am
adding… bin Laden spread terror in this country, no doubt about it. I doubt anyone was terrorized by those protesters yesterday, except perhaps yourself.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 11:13 am
How can so many people know so little?
Do any of you know how many disabled people resided in state-operated facilities 40 years ago? Thompson for all practical purposes closed them during his administration, and the downsizing trend has continued in every administration since.
Do any of you know, with our greatly increasing number of elderly, how quickly the number of days of long term care paid for by medicaid has grown?
Do any of you know how much state spending for alternatives to long term placement has grown at Aging, DHS, etc?
Unbelievable.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Sep 12, 07 @ 9:50 pm
[…] Consider the news yesterday of a band of disability rights activists who protested at the Thompson Center in Chicago. According to reports, they used their wheelchairs and bodies to block employee entrances and exits, and security allowed them to do so. […]
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