It’s been a part of Jacksonville for over 100 years, but now the Jacksonville Developmental Center has closed its doors, apparently for the last time.
The Quinn administration says the last of the developmentally-disabled residents of the center were moved out this week, making the transition to smaller community-based group homes.
The governor says the move will provide better care at lower cost, but opponents question whether the community-based facilities can meet the specialized needs of the residents.
More than 170 JDC staffers have been laid off as a result of the shutdown.
