| Lincoln Developmental Center | |
| Type: | State school |
| Location: | Lincoln, Illinois |
| Founded: | 1877 |
The Lincoln Developmental Center was a state school for people with developmental disabilities in Lincoln, Illinois. It was founded in 1877 as the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, became the Lincoln State School in 1954, and adopted its final name in 1975. It was closed in 2002 by Gov. George Ryan after reports of abuse, neglect and preventable deaths.[1] [2]
According to historian David Bakke, "conditions at the Lincoln State School were horrible; overcrowded and understaffed. It was a community unto itself. The deaths of residents were not investigated, and their bodies were buried on the grounds".[3] According to Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak,[4] milk from cows diseased with tuberculosis were willingly fed to the patient/residents.
History of name changes:[5]
History of administrative responsibility:
In 2021, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice proposed using the Lincoln Development Center property for a new Illinois Youth Center.[6] Construction on the project began in March 2023.[7] Funding from the Rebuild Illinois Capital program will provide renovations of two 4,300 square foot cottages for housing, with additional cottages for programming and administrative use. A new 27,000 square foot multipurpose building will include educational, recreational, and dietary services.