Background and Incident
Albany Care, a psychiatric facility in Evanston, admitted a 44-year-old woman in 2023 due to mental health issues. Despite the care provided, tragedy struck when she was left alone on one occasion. A fellow resident entered her room and assaulted her, as per allegations in a lawsuit filed on her behalf in Cook County. The woman was later confirmed to have been attacked according to hospital tests. The suspect faced charges of home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault.
911 Calls and Community Concerns
Over the years, numerous incidents have drawn attention to Albany Care. From 2020 to May 2025, there were 657 calls to 911, including reports of weapons, overdoses, and assaults. In this period, five residents died and other violent incidents occurred.
This troubling history led the Illinois Department of Public Health to revoke Albany Care’s license. Facility management is contesting the decision, asserting efforts are underway to manage a complex population. Some residents voice support for Albany Care, seeing it as a home and refuge.
Community and Legal Responses
The neighborhood has reacted. Approximately 1,500 people signed a petition for an investigation, urging a hold on new resident admissions. The city of Evanston has taken legal action, labeling the facility a public nuisance due to the high frequency of emergency calls.
Concerns extend beyond the facility’s walls. Neighbors complain about intrusions, violence, and substance abuse in the area. Attorney Joan Lebow criticized the facility’s policies, citing safety issues for both residents and staff.
Facility Management and Regulatory Challenges
Albany Care serves residents with serious mental health needs, yet faces operational scrutiny. The facility, now housing fewer than its capacity, has been cited for violations limiting new admissions. State officials reported inadequate treatment in critical incidents, notably the death of a resident after insufficient medical response.
Municipal leaders continue to demand actionable plans from Albany Care, indicating their dissatisfaction with the facility’s current practices. Albany Care faces allegations of admitting individuals with substance issues without thorough screening, compounded by low staffing levels.
Operational and Financial Struggles
Shayne Schumacher, Albany Care’s Executive Director, emphasizes the intensive oversight required to manage complex cases. Schumacher highlights the inadequacies of mental health funding in Illinois, indicating that enhanced Medicaid funding could significantly improve services for vulnerable communities.
Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation
Albany Care operates under the framework of specialized mental health rehabilitation facilities (SMHRFs). These homes aim to foster community integration and independence among residents, preventing long-term institutionalization.
The state monitors such facilities under court decrees ensuring residents’ access to least restrictive housing options. As discussions continue on Albany Care’s future, alternatives are being explored, with community and SMHRF models among the possibilities.
Challenges in Treatment and Oversight
During recent tours, Albany Care appeared orderly, with active therapy sessions and resident engagement. However, historically, staffing and resource constraints, exacerbated by the pandemic, have increased emergency calls significantly.
City officials urge improved oversight and highlight the inadequacies of the broader healthcare system. The root of Albany Care’s troubles lies in a national reliance on for-profit mental health care, an issue extending well beyond Evanston’s borders.
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