DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - St. Teresa High School has requested an injunction to block Heritage Behavioral Health Center from moving next to its campus in Decatur.
Heritage’s Board of Directors announced in May 2024 they accepted a building donation from Sally Andreas to allow for its expansion of services. The building is located in Northgate Plaza at 2800 N. Water Street in Decatur. The building is several hundred feet from the high school which is located at 2700 N. Water Street.
Heritage said the move will take 3 to 5 years and cost $40 million.
In the court filing, the school said the new Heritage location would threaten the safety of its campus. The filing cited sex offenders, substance abuse clients, and people with behavioral disorders who, "... will be loitering in proximity to high school students." The filing states HBHC clients would be "readily accessible" to students in parking lots, public transportation, and area restaurants used by students.
The filing also stated concerns for criminal activity near the school. The filing went on to say that concerns of the school were, "... based on historic experience at HCBC current location and profile of HBHC clients." The filing did not provide any specifics.
Heritage Behavioral Health President and CEO, Mary Garrison, told WAND News the complaint states inaccurate information regarding the services the center provides, and regarding the people and families Heritage serves.
“It is important to ensure accurate information is communicated regarding Heritage Behavioral Health Center, those we serve, and what this expansion will mean for our community,” said Mary Garrison, President and CEO. “We provide mental health, substance use, and primary care services to over 7,500 individuals and families; serving Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.”
The school said it has fielded calls from parents with concerns about the HCBC relocation. St. Teresa said they also concerned enrollment could drop at the school and impede its ability to raise funds if HCBC set up shop next door.
The filing said HCBC has the funds to seek an alternative location.
Heritage Behavioral Health has served Macon, DeWitt, and Piatt counties for 68 years. Over the years there has been a need for the services it provides. Garrison said because of the increase, the center needed to move into a bigger space to better serve the community.
"A large body of data suggests people with mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violent crime than the perpetrator. We are confident that those we serve are not a threat. To be clear, our organization does not provide sex offender treatment. We are hopeful that St. Teresa will reconsider this legal action and be willing to meet with our leadership to understand how Heritage plans to be a great neighbor and ensure the safety of St. Teresa’s students and faculty, those we serve, and the community. Let’s come together as a community."
It's not clear when a judge could take up the request.
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