Plaintiff Jermika Alford, represented by her guardian Joan Alford, has filed a lawsuit against Elizabeth Whitehorn, Dulce M. Quintero, and Latoya Hughes in their official capacities as directors of Illinois state agencies. The case, identified as No. 1:24-cv-4086, was filed on May 17, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act due to the defendants' failure to provide necessary Medicaid home and community-based services.
Jermika Alford is a 31-year-old Medicaid beneficiary with developmental disabilities and mental illness who needs these services to avoid institutionalization. Despite being eligible for such services under the DD Waiver program, she did not receive them upon her release from prison on April 23, 2024. Attorneys Amanda Antholt and Joshua Goldstein from Equip for Equality are representing her in this matter.
The complaint details that Defendants were aware of Jermika's release date but failed to arrange or provide the required services, leaving her without support since April 2024. This has placed her at serious risk of harm and re-institutionalization. The lawsuit seeks actual damages under the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act, including a statutory minimum of $4,000 per violation.
Jermika Alford is seeking a court order mandating that HFS and DHS comply with federal disability rights laws by providing appropriate services promptly and modifying their policies to prevent future violations. She also requests compensation for emotional distress and deprivation of rights.