Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for taking the time and effort to respond honestly, openly and thoughtfully about the problems connected to Institutes for Mental Disease, like the Somerset.
It has also been encouraging to review the findings of the State of Illinois Nursing Home Task force, and to observe that much of what they see and recommend is consistent with the ideas that come out of our neighborhood.
The recommendations include both fundamental change to the care system and improvements to the quality of care. This includes better screening, standards and inspections with real consequences. Changes to the system include segregating and securing dangerous patients and shifting the standard form of care from large institutions to a variety of smaller community based settings. The latter change, it should be noted, is not only better for the patients but less expensive. If you’re interested in the details, here are links to the synopsis from the Tribune (click here).
In addition to the big picture changes, at a local level we have more to be concerned with. Our challenges connect to both urban design, land use and community safety, as well as the quality of care issues addressed by the State recommendations.
A building like the Somerset, depending on the next use, has the potential to shape the surrounding neighborhood. For example, ground floor retail could be a tremendous asset, adding jobs, shopping and, most important, improving the safety of a tough part of our community. Furthermore, a beautiful historic restoration with affordable housing, like the Belle Shore and Bryn Mawr buildings, is quite possible here.
Finally, it would surprise me if this resolves quickly. We expect the resolution of the ACLU litigation to be revealed in the next few months. But I want you to know, again, that I appreciate and value your thoughts and suggestions and that I’m looking forwards toward what is best for all of us.
Sincerely
Mary Ann Smth
Alderman, 48th Ward.
Action Uptown 