People with developmental disabilities can wait years for community placements, state records show

Chicago Tribune / Stacey Wescott

Aaron Bass, a 39-year-old man with a moderate intellectual disability, has spent years trying to move from Shapiro Developmental Center to a smaller, community-based group home where he hopes to experience more independence. His story, reported by the Chicago Tribune, reflects a broader challenge across Illinois’ seven state-operated developmental centers, where more than 200 residents are seeking alternative placements but often face long waitlists, medical barriers, staffing shortages, and limited provider capacity.

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration has pledged to expand community options and comply with a longstanding federal consent decree requiring opportunities for less restrictive placements, progress has been slow. Advocates argue that structural challenges, funding gaps, and workforce shortages continue to delay transitions, even as research shows community living can improve outcomes and reduce costs. Families remain divided — some pushing urgently for smaller settings, others defending institutions for individuals with complex needs — underscoring the tension at the heart of Illinois’ disability services system.