St. Teresa High School files injunction over Heritage move following parent survey

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - St. Teresa High School has filed for an injunction over Heritage Behavioral Health Center's plan to move next to its campus in Decatur after conducting a parent survey.

In May, a Macon County judge dismissed St. Teresa High School's request for an injunction to block Heritage Behavioral Health Center from moving next to its campus in Decatur.

According to court documents the Judge Phoebe Bowers found there was no factual allegations that St. Teresa will suffer irreparable harm, just conclusory and speculative statements that the "threatened invasions" will chill private donations and may reduce tuition revenues.

Court records show because St. Teresa did not alleged facts sufficient to state a cause of action for permanent injunctive relief, Heritage's motion was granted without prejudice.

St. Teresa had 28 days to refile an amended complaint, and Heritage was also given a 28-day window to file a responsive pleading.

An attorney for St. Teresa commissioned a third-party marketing firm to "validate the threat to St. Teresa and feeder elementary school families." A survey was conducted, asking parents about the impact.

"We've heard from parents since day one of their extreme concern," said Dr. Ken Hendriksen, Executive Director of the St. Teresa Educational Foundation. "We recognize there is a need for behavioral health services in our community - but it's about the impact this specific location choice would have on the safety of our students and the financial viability of St. Teresa school. We cannot afford the millions it would take to implement the security upgrades this move would require, and raising tuition would only push more families away."

According to the parent study, 74.56% of respondents said they would not enroll their children at St. Teresa High School if Heritage Behavioral Health relocates across the street. Broken down, almost 17% said they would not send their children, almost 24% said they would be less likely to send their children, and 33% said they would only attend if the school made significant safety investments without raising tuition.

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.