The Crusader Newspaper Group

United States District Judge Thomas M. Durkin Grants Temporary Restraining Order against Village of Midlothian

Olympia Fields, IL:  United States District Court Judge Thomas M. Durkin granted Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, Inc.’s request for an Emergency Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Village of Midlothian on May, 27, 2020.

The TRO prohibits the Village of Midlothian from shutting down Aunt Martha’s Children’s Quarantine Center (CQC) for DCFS youth in care affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit organization filed the request on May 18, less than a week after filing suit against the Village.

“Aunt Martha’s focus has always been, and will always be the health and safety of the children and youth in our care,” said Raul Garza, Aunt Martha’s President and CEO.

“We are pleased with today’s ruling granting our motion for a temporary restraining order, which will allow the continued operation of the Children’s Quarantine Center – a first of its kind program that serves as a last resort for DCFS youth who have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 and have nowhere else to safely quarantine,” said Ricardo Meza who serves as lead counsel for Aunt Martha’s in its lawsuit against the Village of Midlothian.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak in mid-March, DCFS asked child welfare organizations to determine their capacity to safely care for youth who have tested positive or are known to have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The CQC represents Aunt Martha’s response to the state’s call.

“Today is an important day for everyone who cares about the health and well-being of the youth in our child welfare system, and it is just the latest chapter in Aunt Martha’s long history of standing up for and serving the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Garza.

Also representing the organization in its lawsuit are attorneys Roger Derstine of Roger B. Derstine, Chartered and Sohil Shah of Polsinelli, PC.

About Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, Inc.

Aunt Martha’s serves over 105,000 children and adults each year with more than 35 sites, including 23 community health centers spread across nine counties. The agency’s integrated health home model offers value-based, coordinated services, delivering whole person wellness through the integration of primary and behavioral health care and linkages to additional support services that address social determinants of health. Aunt Martha’s has been continuously accredited by the Joint Commission since 1997.

Recent News

Scroll to Top