Prisoner of MercyBy George M Weinert V
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Chicago, IL
The Nightmare Begins
Have you heard that a Man’s house is his Castle? You may want to reexamine that wise old saying, at least if you live in the Land of Lincoln. This cherished aphorism makes you feel as safe as you can be while you are at home. If you really believe in the truth of this statement, you have a big surprise waiting for you. It is not true. In Illinois it is a fetid lie. You had best learn about the Petition for Voluntary/Judicial Admission. 405 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-600.
The writer, a 57 year old Graduate Student in the Paralegal Program at Chicago’s Roosevelt University was assaulted, threatened and ultimately dragged from his own home under false pretenses by those who “Serve and Protect” and led into what would become an eight day nightmare in the Illinois Mental Health System.
· All of this was due to an incompetent and prevaricating “Social Worker” and condoned by the Sisters of Charity
· All of this was caused by a display of quite justifiable anger on the part of the writer
· All of this was the result of Stalinist-like laws that allows the government to remove you with under dubious circumstances and hold you against your will for weeks at a time
Scholars and history buffs may recall that the Nazis and Communists were fond of such tactics and employed them widely to avoid over-crowing the gas chambers and gulags. However, this is American and that cannot happen here right? Wrong – read on and you will see.
The legal slight of hand that the Land of Lincoln uses to accomplish these abuses is the Petition for Voluntary/Judicial Admission. 405 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-600. This ‘petition’ only requires that a ‘spouse, parent’ guardian, or substitute decision maker’ call the Police, attest that you are –
1.) ‘An individual who is mentally ill and because of his or her illness is reasonably expected to inflict serious physical harm on himself of another in the near future which may include threatening behavior or conduct that places another in reasonable expectation of being harmed’
2.) ‘An individual who is mentally ill and because of his or her illness is unable to provide for his or her basic physical needs so as to guard himself or herself from serious harm without the assistance of family or outside help’
3.) ‘In need of immediate hospitalization for the prevention of such harm.’
This 57 year old Graduate Honors Level Paralegal Student would like to know how a 40 year old :Case Manager” (and part time drug dealer?)
[i] without a College Degree like Mr. Walter Rogers can become a “Substitute Decision Maker” and confine him in a Mental Hospital against his will for eight days. Anyone got any answers?
The section of this form immediately following is filled out by the person(s) making the petition. In the instant case a “Case Manager” in the employ of Mercy Lakefront SRO Housing named Walter Rogers. I had told management in a north side SRO “Subsidized” apartment building to “Kiss my Ass!” and angrily described a group of marginally qualified delinquents as “ignorant dog s**t scum’. These outbursts were the result of three years of failures to repair and maintain property in this apartment building, which ultimately led to an angry confrontation.
[ii] Remember that the next time you get in a fight with your landlord!
Directly below the account of the petitioner is a sworn statement that states:
a.) I do not have a legal interest in this matter
b.) I do not have a financial interest in this matter
c.) I am not involved in litigation in this matter
Rogers had checked all three of the items:
1.) The Signer is an employee of Mercy Lakefront SRO that first is perjury
2.) The Signer derives his laughable income from this employ so the second is perjury
3.) The Signer, as an employee is an agent of Mercy Lakefront SRO who is currently involved in an Eviction suit Cook County Circuit Court
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. with the writer this is also perjury
Mercy Lakefront Employee Walter Rogers PERJURED HIMSELF.
Why would the Sisters of Mercy continue to employ a CRIMINAL like this?
The Signer of this “Petition” is free to prevaricate and the cops could care less. Of course, if the CPD is being paid off by the ‘Petitioner’ why be concerned with the law?
The “Petition” was signed only by
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid., “Case Manager” for Mercy Lakefront SRO Housing at the time I was removed from my apartment by threats and the lies of the Chicago Police Department. Those sworn to “Serve and Protect” were more than happy to engage in thuggish violation of my constitutional right to be “left alone”
[1]When I was rudely interrupted during my studies on the morning of May 15, 2008 I refused to answer a loud and threatening knock on the door. It is a wise policy in these buildings since gang members and prostitutes operate with impunity and you never know who is out there. When I told the abusers to “Go Away, I’m studying” Rogers used his Pass key to enter, in the company of five brave Chicago Police officers. This is TRESPASS.
[iii] There was no emergency that warranted this invasion of privacy but the CPD went along with it all.
This could never happen when Illinois statutes are so clear in annunciating our rights, correct? The need for mental health treatment must be shown by clear and convincing evidence before involuntary admission is ordered.
[2] In order to adjudicate a person in need of emergency mental treatment, and therefore in need of immediate hospitalization, the court must be presented with clear and convincing evidence which establishes that the respondent is suffering from a mental disorder and that due to the disorder, the respondent may injure himself or others, or is unable to care for himself.
[3] Don’t believe it. I was the victim of an eight day unlawful imprisonment despite all the hyperbole enshrined above.
What was my crime? I was studying the Federal Rules of Evidence for a mid-term exam scheduled for May 19, 2008 in Trial and Post-Trial Litigation at Roosevelt University.
When the CPD entered my apartment illegally in the company of Rogers who had used his “Pass key”.
[4] I asked what the fuss was about. I was told that “Management” was fearful that someone would get hurt and had requested Police assistance. How and why Police powers can be employed to prevent me from studying for a test is constitutional I have yet to discern but my protestations were to no avail. When I stated that I “wasn’t going anywhere” and asked to “Be left alone” the representatives of Chicago’s finest produced the “Petition” that had at this point only been signed by Walter Rogers. Chicago’s fines assured me that “This was only for tests” and that if I went along with this, I would “Be back in about an hour.” Being an ardent supporter of the Chicago Police I believed them and went voluntarily.
The responding officers were all older men which made this atrocity doubly alarming. Since a 57 year old man studying the Federal Rules of Evidence in the privacy of his own home is hardly what is considered a threat the manner in which facts were ignored in this instance was astounding. Are the COPS being paid off in order to enforce the dictates and terror of the career criminals that have learned to use the Illinois Mental Health code to silence any who expose their graft, tax evasion and embezzlement of millions? Since drug dealers and prostitutes often operated with impunity in these apartment units it is a legitimate question and since YOUR TAX DOLLARS are paying half the bill you should be very concerned.
The Office in Charge was Proternak, Star # 15169 – He is also guilty of perjury and charges shall be brought against him (and the four other unnamed offices with him) with the Office of Professional Standards. Why not ask him how much he was paid? I plan to shortly. He shall doubtless aver his lack of culpability and cite § 405 ILCS 5/3-606. [Peace officer; duties]
Sec. 3-606. A peace officer may take a person into custody and transport him to a mental health facility when the peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is subject to involuntary admission and in need of immediate hospitalization to protect such person or others from physical harm. Upon arrival at the facility, the peace officer may complete the petition under Section 3-601 [405 ILCS 5/3-601]. If the petition is not completed by the peace officer transporting the person, the transporting officer's name, badge number, and employer shall be included in the petition as a potential witness as provided in Section 3-601 of this Chapter [405 ILCS 5/3-601].
How does wanting to complete your studies for a Mid-Term in a few days and anger at a malfunctioning intercomm that had already deprived me of sleep on two nights that I Had classes the next day make this Paralegal “in need of immediate hospitalization”? I hope that Officer Proternak, Star # 15169 has a good answer since he should forfeit his badge. GESTAPO AGENTS (er, COPS) like Officer Proternak, Star # 15169 are a danger to all law abiding citizens.
I was placed in a large paddy wagon and transported to Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, 4880 N Marine Drive, Chicago, IL 60640. After being held in this locked Mental Hospital for two hours, I was transported to Sweedish Covenant Hospital and held there for another three hours for “additional tests’
[5] Personnel at this second hospital assured me that “I would be released” once I was returned to Chicago Lakeshore. At 11:00 PM that evening, I was returned to this ‘hospital’ and informed that a “Professional” named Catherine Biga (an LLPC) had signed the “Petition” and I was to be transferred “To the State Hospital.” I was held in a cold office and forced to sleep on the floor all night. The early morning hours at this “Intake” hospital saw three ‘patients’ forcibly restrained and apparently drugged into submission. There were at least four different visits by the Chicago Police Department dragging with them a new prisoner. A few were truly disturbed. Two of them seemed on the verge of violence and all kept screaming they wanted to get out. I decided it was best to stay quiet and avoid the goon squad that was busily subduing other hysterical patients to remained in the small office where I had been confined. It was only at this time that I was able to make a telephone call and it was too late to stop the insanity. I called my attorney, called the ‘case manager” responsible and more to no avail. I was a prisoner of Mercy.
[6]I had been held against my will for over 17 hours. The state's petition to involuntarily commit an individual was erroneously granted because the medical certificates accompanying the petition failed to indicate that the individual was examined by a psychiatrist as required, and
certificates filed by the qualified examiner and physician did not suffice because the statute applied to involuntary admission in emergency situations, and the admission in the case was by court order, not by emergency certification.
[7]The following day was Friday and all of my pleas that I had a class to attend that morning at 9:00 AM were ignored. At this point I considered just walking out but found that I was locked into this “hospital” and would be forcibly restrained if I tried. It was hard to believe that this was happening to an American citizen and 57 year old scholar but that was reality. By 2:30 PM, yet another ambulance team transported me to Chicago Reed Mental Health Center and the descent into Hades began in earnest. At this point I had been held against my will for 27 hours and was still protesting that I had to return to my studies since I had arleady missed my Friday morning Legal Writing Class. I had seen no psychiatrist nor M.D. The only ‘professional’ that had interviewed me was LLPC Catherine Biga. § 405 ILCS 5/3-601.2. Consent to admission by healthcare surrogate Sec. 3-601.2. Consent to admission by healthcare surrogate. A surrogate decision maker under the Health Care Surrogate Act [755 ILCS 40/1 et seq.] may not consent to the admission to a mental health facility of a person who lacks decision making capacity. A surrogate may, however, petition for involuntary admission pursuant to this Code. This Section does not affect the authority of a court appointed guardian. At this point after 27 hours of unlawful imprisonment, my decision making capability kept telling me that I had already missed my Friday morning Legal Writing Class and had to get back to study for a Mid-Term on Monday in Trial and Post-Trial Litigation. No one was listening. Employees at Reed also chose to ignore the law: § 405 ILCS 5/3-609. [Disclosure of information to respondent] Sec. 3-609. Within 12 hours after his admission, the respondent shall be given a copy of the petition and a statement as provided in Section 3-206 [405 ILCS 5/3-206]. Not later than 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after admission, a copy of the petition and statement shall be given or sent to the respondent's attorney and guardian, if any. The respondent shall be asked if he desires such documents sent to any other persons, and at least 2 such persons designated by the respondent shall receive such documents. The respondent shall be allowed to complete no less than 2 telephone calls at the time of his admission to such persons as he chooses.
I was given no copies but since the phone was free called my attorney, the Sisters of Mercy (who did nothing), Roosevelt (to tell them why I had missed class since I have always had a prefect attendance record) and my attorney’s office.
By this time to say that I was in shock would be putting it mildly. After five months in Paralegal Classes at Roosevelt University and an environment of scholarship I though I had successfully escaped the penitentiary mentality that permeates subsidized housing. I was wrong. The guards that masquerade as ‘care givers’ and fleece millions from the government under the penumbra of compassion enjoy their positions of power due to affirmative action, patronage, and corruption. Most of them are unable to get a real job and many are functionally illiterate. They have no way to relate to real education and must conceal their marginal qualifications to keep their jobs. The Sisters of Mercy allow this to continue since ‘de bruders needs ‘dem jobs. (Has you seen ‘de price of barbecue lately bro?)
Caregivers in Subsidized Housing units such as those operated by Mercy Housing quickly learn that the Bill of Rights does not exist when it comes to residents. Since the wardens and guards who masquerade as managers regard the 4th and 14th Amendments as obscure anomalies that are only useful when it is necessary to convince some legislator of their need for more government money The fundamental guarantees of the 5th and 5h Amendments are unheard of and most of the employees of these glorified penitentiaries do not even know what these vital tenets of American jurisprudence are. Since illegal searches are the norm, unlawful imprisonment is used as a means of control and every effort is made to circumvent freedom of speech and press it is not at all surprising that coercion by force is employed. The “Professionals” who were gang bangers, drug dealers and crack hos barely a few months ago know no other way. Any rights available were carefully concealed. Although this section has been used to involuntarily admit an individual in emergency situations, a proceeding to
admit respondent by court order, not by emergency certification, required a psychiatric examination under 405 ILCS 5/3-703 to complement an already submitted non-psychiatric certificate.
[8]In the instant case all the abusers were African and the abused is Caucasian. But it is impossible for discrimination to occur under such circumstances is it not? Not according to Illinois courts. It is possible for persons of white race to state claim for racial
[9] Discrimination under 42 USCS § 1982
In the case under consideration such racial and age discrimination indeed played a role. The operators of Mercy Lakefront’s ETE
[10] Center had already gotten away with denying Internet, phone and fax access to this 57 year old resident and prevented him from gaining any employment and/or training for same. This flagrant abuse of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act had been (and remains) buried under a confusing array of the chaos that is necessary in order for marginally educated and incompetent ‘caregivers’ to keep their jobs and keep embezzling millions of YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
[11]At this point employees of Mercy Lakefront had a lot to loose if their crimes became known.
[1] With the remnants of a gun shot wound suffered in 1985 and a badly damaged nerve causing a noticeable painful limp
[2] I am also an alumnus, Master of Music Composition, Chicago Musical College or Roosevelt University, 1981
[3] Things that Mercy Lakefront personnel know nothing about
[iv][4] Which is exactly what I was doing when thrown out into the street
[5] The Mercy Lakefront ETE Center is using Federal Funds and the phone, internet and fax that they pay for to do political organizing for the Barak Hussein Obama campaign – with Homosexual Black Muslim Terrorist Agnin Mumin heading up this illegal effort and using Terrorism to silence any opposition
[6] Details can be found at http://www.roosevelt.edu/paralegal/
[7] Perhaps the dummies that work for Mercy Lakefront can do serious research in 45 minutes, but as any serious scholar would only laugh at such buffoonery
[8] Criminal and Civil Rights actions are just the start for years of tort and personal injury lawsuits shall follow
[9] Beginning with Federal, State and Local Regulatory agencies – many of which you have never even heard of – remember that I am 56 years old and not some ignorant punk which brings elder abuse into play
[10] And egged on by Black Muslim Terrorist Agnin Mumin who is on an FBI Terrorism Watch list thanks to the efforts of this American Patriot – perhaps you should join him?
Since the writer is now 57 and has been a victim of this abuse for years the Illinois Elder abuse statutes come into play as well:
Reported elderly abuse cases rose 163% from 1990 to 1998
· 24% of elderly victims suffer physical abuse
· 44% of abuse victims experience episodes of emotional abuse including
verbal assaults, threats, and intimidation
· Financial Exploitation accounts for 54% of all reported cases of elderly
abuse
· 4% of elderly abuse victims suffer sexual abuse
· Defined as passive neglect, caregivers fail to provide the elderly
person with food, clothing, shelter, medical care or other necessities
of one’s life in 38% of all cases
· Willful Deprivation, or the withholding of medication, shelter, food and
physical or medical assistance, occurs in 8% of elderly abuse cases
· Confinement accounts for 7% of all reported cases of elderly abuse
· In elderly abuse cases, the victim typically experiences more than one
type of abuse
· 76% of reported elder abuse cases involve Caucasian victims while 21%
[12] are African American and 3% are Hispanic
· Almost 3/4 of all elderly abuse victims are women
· Elderly people often need others to report cases of abuse or neglect for
them especially regarding instances of neglect or willful deprivation
where elderly persons are incapable of seeking help for themselves
· 59% of elder abuse perpetrators are male while 41% are female
· 42% of elder abuse offenders are between the ages of 30-49 and 19% are
70 years or older
· 3/4 of alleged abusers are related to the victim
· Adult children of the victim account for 41% of all reported elderly
abuse cases
These harsh realities create an additional tort since the abused in this case is now 57 years of age:
(20 ILCS 105/3.05) (from Ch. 23, par. 6103.05) Sec. 3.05. "Aged" or "Senior citizen" means a person of 55 years of age or older, or a person nearing the age of 55 for whom opportunities for employment and participation in community life are unavailable or severely limited and who, as a result thereof, has difficulty in maintaining self‑sufficiency and contributing to the life of the community. (Source: P. A. 78‑242.)
It is imperative that employees who masquerade as “caregivers” find some way to conceal these laws so denial of services is normally employed.
[13] They must find a way to hide the obvious conclusions. What’s the easiest to avoid answering these allegations?
JUST PORTRAY THE OLD MAN AS CRAZY!
[14] That is what this crime was all about.
After being held against my will for 28 hours at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital on the legal authority of a bedpan commando named Catherine Bigg (LLPC who signed the “Petition for Involuntary/Judicial Admission” as “Intake Clinician”) and being forced to sleep on a cold floor with only a thin sheet I was placed into yet another ambulance and entered the gulag of the Illinois Mental Health System. My liberty had been taken from me on the legal authority of a Licensed Practical Nurse. (and she didn’t even empty the bed pan!)
On the morning of May 17, 2008 I finally had the chance to speak with another “Director”.at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital. By this time I had already missed my Friday Legal Writing Class at 9:00 AM and was only concerned that I could be released in time to prepare for my Mid-Term on Monday. A desperate plea was ignored. All they had to do was to call Rooevelt University to confirm my explanation but no one did. All of my protestations and petitions for release were ignored. Mercy Lakefront and the Siters of Mercy knew they could get awy with it: The police are authorized to seize a person and transport him to a mental hospital for involuntary commitment if a petition and medical certificate of need for commitment have been filed, or if the police conclude as a result of their personal observation that the person is subject to involuntary commitment.
[15] But how does wanting to study for a Mid-Term make one subject to involuntary commitment? I kept asking but my pleas for sanity were ignored. When I asked why I could not simply walk the few blocks back to my apartment I learned that I was now in the custody of the state of Illinois. At this point, I was in no ones custody but was simply being held against my will and threatened if I attmpted to resist.
I was a Prisoner of Mercy.
The perpetrators unknowingly had created the odious tort of False Imprisonment.
Some courts have stated that false arrest and false imprisonment are distinguishable only in terminology.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] The two have been called virtually indistinguishable[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] and identical.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] It has also been said that false arrest is a species of the common-law action for false imprisonment,[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] or that they are separate causes of action that share the same elements.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] The gist of either tort is the unlawful detention.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] The difference between them lies in the manner in which they arise.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] False arrest is one of several means of committing false imprisonment.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] To commit false imprisonment, it is not necessary either to intend to make an arrest[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] or actually to make an arrest.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] By contrast, a person who is falsely arrested is at the same time falsely imprisoned,[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] and an unlawful arrest may give rise to a cause of action for either false arrest or false imprisonment.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] Thus, it has been stated that false arrest and false imprisonment are not separate torts, and that a false arrest is one way to commit false imprisonment; since an arrest involves a restraint, it always involves imprisonment.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] On the other hand, false imprisonment is the broader tort,[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] and a person improperly detained pursuant to a lawful arrest may have the right to bring an action for false imprisonment, but not for false arrest.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.]
[v]If you think you have rights in Illinois then think again: The police may take a person into custody and transport him to a mental facility, even absent personal observation of erratic behavior, as long as probable cause exists to believe the individual is in need of hospitalization.
[16] Remember that the next time you are cramming for finals.
Resistance is Futile (you will be assimilated)
I was a prisoner of the Borg
[vi][vii] and there was no hope of escaping but Captain Picard was nowhere to be found Each time I protested and reminded my captors of my classes I was threatened with dire results. By this time I was getting used to ambulance rides but kept wondering who was going to pay the bills. Since no one seemed too concerned I dismissed the thought. I was relieved to be out of the clutches of Chicago Lakeshore Hospital since it appeared that staff in this facility were not adverse to employing physical violence to any patient that gave them a hard time. I had no doubt that I would be next and was relieved to be leaving. As I was wheeled out into the waiting ambulance, the entire staff gathered to say their farewells. I gave them all the finger all the way out. A small victory but quite satisfying.
The ambulance ride to Reed Mental Health was interesting; a thin but cute paramedic told me I looked like some movie star and seemed obsessed with looking at me. I’m used to comments like that from women but under the circumstance it was an odd place to flirt. I wondered if this new adventure was to reveal even stranger adventures with oversexed females. Perhaps there would be more to this than I had imagined.
Our arrival at Reed Mental Health Center was accompanied by the usual officiousness that all Illinois Taxpayers know and love. Another medical team of four individuals carefully stripped me of all my cards, id’s, wallet, keys and finally even my clothes. I was stunned when they took my shoelaces but one never know what dire dangers they may face at the hands of a crazed killer armed with a razor-sharp shoe lace! After two hours I was transferred to C-North and thrust into the Illinois Insane Asylum. Once all my possessions and my very identity had been taken from me the prison I was entering came into clear focus. The action for false imprisonment is derived from the ancient common-law action of trespass and protects the personal interest of freedom from restraint of movement.[
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.] False imprisonment consists of the unlawful restraint against his or her will of an individual's personal liberty or freedom of movement,[
FN6] accomplished with or without process of law.[
FN7] It is also defined as the unlawful violation of the personal liberty of another[
FN8] imposed by force or threats.[
FN9] Moreover, false imprisonment is sometimes defined by statute.[
FN10]
[viii]It seemed that no one on staff wanted new patients to be aware of their legal rights:
§ 405 ILCS 5/3-403. [Discharge upon written notice; hearing] Sec. 3-403. A voluntary recipient shall be allowed to be discharged from the facility at the earliest appropriate time, not to exceed 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after he gives any treatment staff person written notice of his desire to be discharged unless he either withdraws the notice in writing or unless within the 5 day period a petition and 2 certificates conforming to the requirements of paragraph (b) of Section 3-601 and Section 3-602 [405 ILCS 5/3-601 and 405 ILCS 5/3-602] are filed with the court. Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall order a hearing to be held within 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and to be conducted pursuant to Article IX of this Chapter. Hospitalization of the recipient may continue pending further order of the court. There was never a mention of court and when I asked I was ordered to do something that would avoid the conversation so the issue remained a great mystery.
The first thing I did once I was settled in was to obtain notebook paper and a pen. This was not possible until Friday night since I had been shuffled from room to room and then into a new unit. I realized that recording this ordeal would convey events and impressions to a public that has no idea of what goes on behind the walls of Land of Lincoln Mental Hospitals. In the six days that I was held against my will no one made this Paralegal aware of the following legal precedent: Voluntary mental health patient was correct in asserting that, upon the expiration of the five day period after the initial request for discharge, he was entitled to discharge, and at that time his status was no longer that of a voluntarily admitted patient.
[17]A petition for involuntary admission, filed more than five business days after a voluntary patient requested discharge, was ineffective to prolong his stay at a mental health facility.
[18] No one seemed too concerned and regarded my arrival as business as usual.
What follows is an account of the next six days
A Gram is Better than a Damn
[ix]Saturday, May 17, 2008: 3:50 PM. Unit C-North is quiet today. It is Saturday so all social workers and most medical personnel are absent. I am now in my third day of unlawful imprisonment. If you’ve read Huxley’s Brave New World the last line makes perfect sense and the paradigm it represents was indeed the rule at Reed Mental Health. Patients are being controlled with drugs so staff can loaf around and collect a government paycheck.
I was taken from my North Side Chicago apartment by five Chicago Police officers who had convinced me that I would be returned in only two hours. They lied. I was held against my will first at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, then transferred for “Tests” to Sweedish Covenant Hospital and then returned to Chicago Lakeshore when I was held in a cold office and forced to sleep on the floor. I was transferred to Reed Mental Health Center at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 16, 2008. It is not day three and I have been told I will be held here for another three days. No one has advised me of my legal rights and no one has told me how I can talk to a Judge or ALR regarding this heinous miscarriage of justice. I have missed my Friday morning class in Legal Writing and will now be forced to miss my Trial and Post-Trial Litigation class at Roosevelt University as well. No one seems to care and no one has bothered to verify these obligations. I am being held prisoner.
The Good Lord has been at my side throughout this ordeal though all personnel here that I have spoken with demonstrated nothing but a pusillanimous indifference to my plight. Unlike most of the inmates (er, Patients) here I can call my attorney who is currently representing me in the second Eviction action that has been brought against me by the same Mercy Lakefront SRO that is responsible for my current confinement. Most of the patients here do not seem to be so fortunate. Someone confined here indeed had a sense of irony since I just came across a paperback copy of George Orwell’s 1984 that I have begun to read for the first time in over 35 years. The analogy is striking but no one seems to understand or even know about this seminal work of American literature.
As a Paralegal student who has just completed a course in which we studied two cases of unlawful imprisonment I was stunned at the readiness that Chicago’s Finest displayed by breaking into my apartment while I was studying the Federal Rules of Evidence. The instigator of this illegal incident entered my apartment with his pass key though I informed him through the door that I was busy studying for a mid-term exam on Monday. Trespass is crime but the Chicago Police readily acquiesced and lent their badges and guns to the law breaking. Though my apartment was filled with books and notes and my scholarly pursuits were obvious to anyone, the Chicago Police simply ignored it. Pervious experience with the Boys in Blue avers that they frequently demonstrate an abject hostility to “college boys” and fail to comprehend the inviolable citadel of the heart and mind.
It is now over 48 hours since I was torn from my studies and I have lost invaluable time in studying for our mid-term examination on the Federal Rules of Evidence. Since I am an honors student at Roosevelt University I am getting very concerned. I do not know how long I shall be kept here and will have to make up a great deal of work. We are in the last two weeks of an accelerated six week term in which we do twelve weeks of work and I am loosing valuable time. No one seems to care and there is no one that will even listen. The only concern of staff here is in maintaining an exotic equipoise of conformity that rapidly deteriorates into hopeless boredom.
When I explained my efforts to “doctors” at Reed (whom I was told were psychiatrists) one had the audacity to question if my plans were “realistic” since I am 57 years old and am pursuing a Paralegal Certificate. Fortunately there is one doctor who appreciates my plight and at least expresses some empathy. How far will that good will go to get me out of here?.
The individual responsible for this sordid affair is employed as a “Case Manager” by Mercy Lakefront SRO. His name is
Walter Rogers. Though Rogers likes to assert his supervisory position over the 60 plus residents of our SRO Apartment complex his professional credentials to do so have never been revealed. He is rumored to possess a high school diploma, unlike many Mercy Lakefront employees who are functionally illiterate. This is quite common with ‘professional’ office in these apartments though some are ‘rumored’ to actually hold a doctoral degree.
[19] Odd that none of those degrees or professional credentials are never produced is it not? They don’t care since most of the residents are formerly homeless, desperately poor and very poorly educated.
[20] They know they can lie and they do so freely while you’re paying the bill.
Personnel here in the C-North Unit of Reed Mental Health Center do not seem to know or care about the constitutional issues I have raised regarding this illegal confinement. Most of the “Desk” personnel appear to be simple hacks and bed pan commandos aka prison guards. It is not unusual to witness three or four actually watching a small television at the unit’s “Desk” while the taxpayers of Illinois are paying their salaries.
The two ‘psychiatrists” I have seen to date seemed more concerned with prescribing some medication than ascertaining the reasons for my presence here. After a conference with the first, I was told that I would be held for at least three days. A second “Doctor” I was required to see a few hours later prescribed Depakote and told me that if I refused to take the medication I would increase the length of my already illegal and worrisome detention. I would soon learn that this is the methodology used to keep patients under control and stoned into submission.
In the midst of such insanity humor can be a blessing. One of the inmates who is constantly walking the halls (and complaining that his medication is the cause) has suggested that this malady could provide small solution to the energy crisis. A Human size chipmunk wheel could be constructed so patients constant walking could be put to some use. Connected to a generator they could produce electricity. At least we can still laugh at our dire predicament.
Most of the inmates appear to be heavily drugged and two complain of “feeling all f**ked up”. Most seem to feel that their concerned are not being addressed and do not like the medications that are being forced on them. Conversations reveal that some are veterans of this diabolical gulag of drugs and despair.
Tomorrow is the Lord’s Day.
The Lord is My Shepherd.
Sunday May 17, 2008: 7:20 AM.
Day three of this odious ordeal began with a disgusting display of indolence and pusillanimity paid for by Illinois taxpayers. All four “medical” personnel in C-North were seated at the “Desk” Busily chewing the rag and drinking coffee (which the ‘patients’ are denied until their one cup of de-caf arrives with breakfast at 8:00 AM). This morning, Depakopte was given to me against my wishes. After taking it in liquid form and sensing the heavy alcohol base I demanded to see the list of side effects. A pamphlet was copied that indicated that these side effects include serious liver damage and potentially catastrophic pancreatic damage. I have a history of problem with both that stretched back 20 years since I am a recovered alcoholic I have informed the medical personnel that I shall not take it again. They do not appear pleased with my resistance.
Since this is Sunday a “Service” is scheduled so as a Man of Faith I pray that another shall come to my aid and help me return to my studies and sanity. A ‘deacon” from a Roman Catholic Parish (who refused to divulge his name when asked) said a short prayer, distributed a few holy cards and then rushed out. Attempts to relate my tale of woe were to no avail since he was too busy to be concerned with this life long Roman Catholic of 57 years. When I told him that I had been imprisoned by Mercy Housing he did not seem too concerned. After this ‘service” I called the Chicago HQ of the Sisters of Charity in another attempt to get some help. They never replied. Not surprising since the Good Sisters have made no attempt to intervene in the continuing harassment and elder abuse that is rampant in Chicago’s Mercy Lakefront SRO Housing. The Good Full Time Catholic Deacon was upset when I spoke of the Good Samaritan parable but not enough to stop him from rushing onto his next round of doing God’s work in three minutes.
While seated in the dining area after dinner I perused the Chicago Sun Times and came across a column titled “Think CTA Trains are bad? Try living there.” by Columnist Mark Brown.
[21] The short piece portrayed the dire plight of the homeless diaspora who ride the El’s all night. In the years that I spent as a homeless man I knew more than my share so I know their plight. Brown’s column told the story of the salvation that a Mercy Lakefront SRO apartment had provided for the lachrymose denizen of the darkness. I read it with bemused interest and then blew my stack! While Mercy Lakefront garners considerable publicity for their good works (which are many) the criminals, gangsters and prostitutes that operate under their penumbra are free to continue their operations. Since the primary reason for my unlawful imprisonment was the fact that I have been exposing their crimes, embezzlement and grand theft for years I was determined that this would not go unanswered. It was easy to get in touch with Mr. Brown since the Sun Times provides for a direct telephone line to their writers. I first contacted Brown on Sunday night and briefly relayed the nightmare of Mercy that I was ensnared in and referred him to the
Mercy Lakefront Blog at
http://mercylakefront.blogspot.com/,. I waited and prayed that this additional intervention and quest for truth would get me back to classes and my honors grades. The Sun Times now would be kept fully advised of the continuing crimes of Mercy Lakefront SRO.
Sunday, 4:30 PM. After prayer and contemplation I seriously considered abandoning the Catholic Church that has abandoned me today and in my direst needs so placed a few calls to the Good Sisters, the Chicago Archdiocese and my home parish to let them know. They could care less about this Catholic or his 200 year family history of support so why care about them?
I have to remember to spit on the plaque at 18 S. Michigan that commemorates the 1846 founding of the First Mercy Hospital by the Sisters of Mercy I walk past daily on my way to Roosevelt University Paralegal classes at 18 S. Michigan. Since Mercy Housing merged with Lakefront SRO in January of 2006 I have pleaded with the Sisters of Mercy to intervene and stop the criminals that abuse our older residents. They have never responded to this life long Roman Catholic, though I had two great aunts who were nuns and a cousin who was an Archdiocesan priest. What vile hypocrites!
[x]4:50 PM. I have been informed that I will be given the Depakote against my wishes. I consistently refuse and the effort is abandoned. It is apparent that drugs will solve all problems here and I have managed to finish the first chapter of 1984. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.
Shortly before dinner at 6:00 PM I was told by a ‘desk’ person that the TB Test I had been given during the intake process indicated that I had been exposed to the deadly disease. Since our Mercy Lakefront SRO Unit housed at least two TB Positive individuals this new was devastating. All of my medical tests were positive to this point; a true blessing at 57. Now I was told that I was in danger of contacting Active TB. I was understandably upset but had other responsibilities.
As I began Chapter II of Brave New World the reality of BIG BROTHER sank in. Every move, gesture and utterance of the inmates of C-North was under strict scrutiny. Any observed behavior that did not conform to the staff’s idea of ‘acceptable’ would result in some sort of consequence.
I was still seething inside but am not a fool so decided to play along whenever possible just to get out as soon as possible.
By this time I had not seen nor heard my two adorable cats for three days. When I was taken from my apartment and placed in a paddy wagon by the Chicago Police I was forced to leave them. A the time they had a little water and food. I did not know if they were alive of dead and was very concerned about the kitties I love so dearly. Fortunately I was able to call my jailer on the first night of this nightmare from the first prison camp and inform him of their need for care. I also told Mr. Rogers that there would be hell to pay if any harm came to my two adorable kitties.
I was also able to reach the Roosevelt University Paralegal Program Director and leave a message for a fellow student, another cat lover I knew I could count on for help. Sunday night Walter called me at Reed to tell me that the kitties were fine. I received no help from the Sisters of Mercy and no help at all from the Church I have attended for 57 years.
Sunday night after dinner I began to get the entire picture of Reed Mental Health Center. It seems that all of my fellow detainees had been forced to sign a “Voluntary” Commitment form that was the legal justification for their presence Those who refused related tales of lengthy stays and instilled a fear of non-cooperation in those of us who were new to this perfidious penitentiary. I was advised by veterans of this strange symposium that there were two main requirements for achieving release:
a.) take your meds, and
b.) do not display any aggressive tendencies.
I was in big trouble at this point since a.) I had already refused a ‘medication’ that was potentially fatal and b.) had loudly protested my confinement and need to return to my classes. I decided that playing the game was the only way out. Though the rigid control of 1984 was appurtenant the Soma somnolence of Brave New World is closer to reality. Huxley had predicted it all but I had only Orwell for comfort. As I greedily devoured the classic tale of government tyranny I was stunned that no one seemed familiar with this classic work of American literature. Albeit my fellows were not exactly Mensa material, but I expected a bit more from “Staff”. The only professional I found who had read this classic work was the empathic doctor who would aid in my release.
Ruminations on Democracy and Constitutional Rights would obviously be of no use. I was able to reach one of the many “Patients Rights” organizations that displayed their phone numbers on flyers next to the two phones in this unit and informed that A Legal Representative could get back to me in six weeks. Phone calls were free and there was no limit on how many the inmates were allowed to make. It was Sunday and I had already left nine message with my attorney so this avenue would be a waste of time ; and I realized that I was loosing as Monday morning approached. Fellow inmates expressed a sense of resignation and hopelessness so all I could do was to pray and trust in Almighty God. I could not stop thinking of the following cherished guarantees of the SIXTH AMENDMENT:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the
State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascertained by
law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
The kidnapping had been skillfully engineered and this was not a criminal matter yet it mattered little as I thought of the classes and study time that I was being kept from.The $2,100.00 in tuition was being wasted and no one had given it to me. I had paid for my education which acted as another factor that made me an anomaly.
[22]Ford’s in his Fliver, all’s well with the world. .
Monday, May 18, 2008: 7:10 AM.
I awoke determined to escape from this asylum so obediently took my morning shower and offered no resistance to medication. Fortunately it had been changed and the new drugs had no deleterious effects. There is a halcyon calm as I gaze out onto the patio that we are not allowed to enter due to our constant confinement. This early morning time is ideal for prayer and meditation. I will not get to my mid-term in less than two hours and my $2,100.00 tuition is being squandered. I have no control over the situation. Resistance is futile as I am a prisoner. False arrest and wrongful detention, both actions for false imprisonment,[
FN18] constitute a continuing tort encompassing both the unlawful arrest and detention of the arrested person.[
FN19] Both torts encompass the right to be free from being arrested without probable cause.[
FN20]
[xi]It seems that personnel here can be deadly serious and silly at the same time. I have made the acquaintance of a young woman named Aaron who is a U of I alumnus. As an academic I normally tends towards university types. She walks the halls from morning to night with barely any rest. She is trapped in the maze of her own mind. She keeps chanting “This didn’t have to happen” and “I’m not supposed to be here.”. I don’t have to be here either and this was not supposed to happen to me so we have talked quite a bit. I have actually gotten her to forget her troubles for a few moments and laugh a bit but I am no psychiatrist. By the end of day one in this new unit Aaron had a very serious “Incident” where she had to be restrained and heavily sedated. After four hours she was back walking the halls and hardly missed a beat.
Four time a day the inmates (er, patients) here are summoned with the call “Medications!” It is time to take the sedatives that medical personnel in these places rely on to keep them under control. Ten to twenty hopeless inmates queue up obediently and are handed their soma the reminder of the night. The medications in reality range from Depakote to Prozac to Zoloff and beyond. The object is to keep the inmate (er, patient) sedated so they can be easily controlled. Any “Psychiatric” personnel spend less than five minutes with each patient and hurriedly move on to the next. There is no need for any meaningful therapy since the drugs keep their hapless charges well controlled. I remain the odd man out but have decided to use my will for control so am left largely alone by staff.
2:00 PM. I have been informed that I am to be transferred to another unit. Accompanied by a well fed security guard we wind our way through a maze of corridors and then enter yet another locked ward, B-North. The physical surroundings are identical to the first but at least there are a few pretty girls here so things may not be all that bad. At least I have once again heard the welcome sound of laughter here and it is a welcome relief.
A hasty meeting is arranged where I am introduced to the entire staff. I tell my tale of desperation but no one is listening. One of the directors of this unit, Mr. Pete is familiar with the work of Mercy Lakefront SRO. He appears to not believe my account of events. I refer him to the internet blog I have maintained for nearly two years but know he will never look at it. I am alone in my prison and my classmates at Roosevelt University shall continue without me.
7:10 PM. I have been asked by “Staff” to leave Aaron alone. It seems they are upset that someone can actually make her smile. That is all I am trying to do. I was able to reach Columnist Mark Brown at the Chicago Sun Times voice and he confirmed receipt of my emails regarding Mercy Lakefront SRO. He has also read the Mercy Lakefront BLOG. I told him about the exposure to TB
[23] since Mercy Lakefront is responsible. He expressed sympathy and promises to look into it at a later date. At least someone is on my side. Will he expose the hypocrisy and crimes of Mercy Lakefront when time allows or will this simply be swept under the rug like the rest of the Crimes of Mercy Housing personnel?
8:45 PM. I have just spent another half an hour calling anyone I can in an attempt to get some help. Since it is Sunday I can only hope someone out there hears my desperate pleas. Fortunately there is 1984 for intellectual solace and another young artist by the name of Jessica who was admitted with a buxom brunette for flirtatious fun. In comparison to the first unit I am now in a virtual beauty show so there’s a little good in everything. I love to flirt and am an expert. It is harmless and fun so I am well practiced and use my skills with ease. Between this, reading and eating at least it passes the time that is agonizingly wasting away while my tuition dollars are being tossed into the trash can of Mercy Lakefront enforced ignorance.
As day three is coming to a close, my new friend Aaron begins sobbing uncontrollably. Her practiced pacing had accelerated to a frantic race to nowhere as she screams her tale of woe. Reed Staff attempts to console her but when she is forced to her room a physical battle ensues. All we can hear is the noise of objects being thrown about and her screaming. After a few minutes, she is once again drugged and restrained. She at least can rest for a while.
From childhood's hour I have not been as others were
[24]7:20 AM May 20, 2008. The morning hours are in a way the worst since there is nothing to do. I am fortunate to have 1984 but we are forced to wait for coffee until Breakfast arrives at 8:00 AM. When it does arrive the coffee will be decaffinated. Consequently the pursuit of additional coffee packets is of primary concern. I have already secured a few and learned how to trade food items to get more. Staff is upset since we are supposedly all on special diets. No one cares and we trade food for coffee unmolested. In addition to Orwell I have not found a King James Bible so also have the solace of the word of God in these early hours.
By this time my ‘medication” has been reduced to only vitamins, an inhaler (for my congested lungs due to smoking) and a Nicotine Patch. It seems I am quite healthy.
There is a fifth hearing set in the Eviction case that my Landlord, Mercy Lakefront SRO had brought against me. The Docket Number is 08M1 701680. I can never get to 50 W. Washington by 9:30 AM but will be represented by my able Counsel, Mr. Andrew Doughtery of Cabrini Legal Aid. I have been in touch with counsel nightly since this ordeal began and can count on his skilled representation. Why would Mercy Lakefront try to prevent me from attending this fifth court appearance in their Retaliatory Eviction attempt?
Yet another psychiatrist has been assignment to my case. After an initial conference with her I am given no encouragement or news as to when I can resume my Paralegal classes. No one seems to care about the time and money that is being wasted. Why should they? It’s not their money, it is $9,400.00 in Perkins loans that I will have to repay. Single white males are on their own when it comes to financial assistance in Illinois. Fortunately, an agreement has been reached on ‘medications’ and mine is an extremely mild sedative which is of no concern. I do not like to take any medications but this small intrusion will do no harm.
I am growing increasingly concerned regarding the welfare of Meow and Josephine, my two adorable felines. A new intern (and a real looker) named Beth is at the Front Desk of out unit in the morning so I have managed to get her ear and she has promised to help. She is real beauty so being surrounded by such pulchritude is at least some consolation when considering my mounting losses. The crime of this theft of my studies is particularly acute since we are in an accelerated term at Roosevelt. In this academic setting, we do twelve weeks of work in six weeks time so all assignments are double what they normally would be. I have only two weeks left and time is rapidly slipping away. Will my honors level grade point average suffer as a result of this? No one cares and since my jailers never made honors in their live I can hardly expect any empathy. Perhaps Beth, a grad student at U I C will come to my aid.
3:55 PM. The hardest part of this sordid nightmare is finding someone who will listen. Since I have now been portrayed as a “Mental Patient” my proud academic achievements mean little. I can’t call the Police from Mental Hospital for help and anyone I do understandably views my pleas with a skeptical eye. All “staff” seems to be apathetic or concerned with other matters. We do not even know who we are being order about by and no one dares to ask. My new psychiatrist is Dr. Yetunde Johnson has only seen me for five minutes. This hardly seems to be an adequate amount of time in which to do a diagnosis which is controlling my very liberty. With my release only a distant vision, my full day of classes on Wednesday at Roosevelt University shall once more be wasted and assignments are piling up. There must all be made up and I will have to miss much sleep if I want to maintain my high grade average. No one cares and I can only turn to prayer.
I have made the acquaintance of another inmate who is a current Uptown shelter resident. I told him about my years amongst the homeless and the odd bonding of the desperate was born. He is being released after only two days. Why am I being held after three with no end in sight? Another young man who had been admitted has been released after only two days. Both are Negroes while I am White. Something is amiss here.
A Yoga session begins at 4:00 PM and is led by the ugliest broad I have even seen. Considering all possible adjectives this woman was just plain ugly. The art student crowd, Jessica and her busty friend, seem to love the mediation so I look on in mild amusement. The hero of 1984 is finally coming to grips with what Big Brother has done.
5:30 PM. I was stunned to see a campaign worker registering new voters. I know that Chicago Democrats are notorious for dirty tricks when it comes to the election roles but looking for new votes in a mental hospital seems more than strange. It seems to be legal so goes without any comment.
7:10 PM. I reached Mark Brown at the Chicago Sun Times and let him know that I am keeping this journal in order to a.) tell the truth about Mercy Housing and b.) let Illinois citizens know what their mental hospitals are really like. Will any of this hard truth even see the pages of the Chicago Sun Times?
Although this is not prison we have been told by staff that is the next best thing. Since this unit is mostly female and rather tame danger is not present. Only one patient seems hostile. He is a tall and think young man of Polish extraction who had asserted that he has a Ph.D. and is a teacher as well in response to my remarks about teaching for the Chicago Public Schools. I have seen his type before in my work with Alcoholics Anonymous. In an overheard conversation he revealed that he was “in construction” – this means that he is a day to day contract laborer who likes his vodka. He is the kind that cannot accept how low he has sunk so must invent titles and stories. Unfortunately he appears rather upset at my incessant flirting with all of the young ladies in the unit since they don’t seem too interested in his company. He’s tried to physically block my way a few times but I just walked around him and told him to “KISS MY ASS!”. I am an old pro in this arena since I used to live amongst gang members. It keeps him subdued but he is increasingly frustrated.
Is that all there is?
7:06 AM May 21. I have almost finished 1984 and the inevitable fate of the hero is depressing. Only one staff member seems to understand the irony and I worry for the future of American literacy. All we can do in this time is to wait for breakfast and look out the windows. Most are still in bed but the wise have already taken their daily showers and are striving to prove that they are ready to be released. Four of our number have already won their freedom so those who remain hope and strive for good behavior.
It is absurd. My only crime was the demand that a malfunctioning intercomm that had robbed me a vital rest be repaired. Since this same irritant had been ignored for nearly two years my anger was justified. No one cares and I have been cast into the role of mental patient. What is worrisome is that this episode will remain as a part of my history. I have no criminal or other sort of record. I am a boy scout and proud of it. After 57 years of living a clean and honest life, a cabal of criminals have used the tyranny of the Illinois Mental Health Laws to sully my reputation. This will require time and money to repair. Will the Good Sisters of Mercy aid in helping to remove this stain from my reputation? OF COURSE NOT _ I AM WHITE!
There are the hours that we meditate on such matters.
Aaron is avoiding me at meal times and seems rather embarrassed at our obvious comradeship. I still speak with her but her smiles have vanished. It is wise to keep a distance since I really do not know how serious her illness is. Jessica benefits and even got a few pieces of candy last night. She has noticed my shyness and is compensating for it with action. We now have another young Phillipino girl so flirting is never far away. I have found some good art pieces in National Geographic for Jessica and she is flattered with all the attention being paid to her. Flirting is fun and at least it passes the time.
4:20 PM. I called my attorney and was finally able to reach him. Court was simple set for another continuance and he is trying to find a way to get me out of here.
[xii] He has other cases and this is not his area of law but has spoken to other attorneys so I can only wait and hope.
I received a call from fellow RU Paralegal Student, Walter regarding the welfare of my beloved cats. He had stopped by my north side apartment and reported that they were fine and had adequate food and water. He also pledged to pass on my plight to my fellow paralegal students. My instructors already had been advised by our Director.
Now I could at least stop worrying about my beloved Kitties.
If ya can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!
7:10 AM May 22. I arose early and took my morning shower. I had decided that cooperating in this insanity was my only hope of returning to life in the outside world. This meant attending some of the dumb therapy meetings that were held throughout the day. The Polish drunk is still being obnoxious but I’ve managed to intimidate him quite well. 25 years of living amongst Spanish street gangs and three years of homelessness taught me enough street smarts to be able to deal with punks like that. This one is talking about “getting a shotgun” when he gets out so I’ll have to be cautious about location information. I believe he is serious.
10:00 AM. This is now Day 7 of my unlawful imprisonment. Though I have made many phone calls and spoken with my attorney and a friend regarding the kittens I am remain as powerless over my fate as on Day one. Thanks to Walter Rogers and Mercy Lakefront SRO I have now missed four classes in an accelerated term that I have already paid $2,100.00 for, a mid-term and only God knows how many assignments that will have to be made up. If I express any of these realities to staff here in Reed it is viewed as “Aggression” and will only keep me imprisoned longer. The best course is to play along and get out of here. The legal action will have to wait until I am once again free.
After being imprisoned here at Reed for seven days now I now understand where Mercy Lakefront got their MO – their policies towards tenants are taken from the mental hospitals. The art therapy, community meetings, group therapy, etc and all transported from the state institutions. The only things that are important are:
a.) Clean your room
b.) Tale a shower
c.) Shut up and don’t ask any questions
I attended a rather lame NAMI-style meeting for the mentally ill. As someone who has chaired hundreds of AA meetings at the old Logan Square Group #5 Group I access any 12 step style meeting with a critical eye. This one was really bad but no one seemed to care.
After the 12 step fiasco another group had us play some dumb card game. The object was to answer certain questions and advance a token on a play card we were holding. The winner was awarded the highest self-esteem price. I was the winner.
4:05 PM. The lassitude and general ennui of patients here is depressing. This atmosphere is also dangerously contagious and requires a strong will to resist since it threatens to invade the depths of one’s soul.
7:55 PM. A pale sun is setting framed by the high tension power lines that border Irving Park Road. Free citizens of the Land of Lincoln are going about their business as they drive down the highway and here I sit after seven days. It is ironic to realize that so much life and energy is only a few hundred feet away while we the inmates stare out the windows of this prison by any other name. Staff had been overheard stating that the only place worse than this is the Cook County Jail so I should count my blessings. If they could have, the Merciful Operators of Mercy Housing would have me locked up there.
[xiii]The sad saga of broken lives and dreams that I witnessed in my years amongst the homeless is awful but the broken minds that I have all around me is the worst. Loosing a hand or arm is a tragedy but even these terrible loses can be ameliorated. When one loses a mind you have lost it all. Beginning in 1965 my grandfather was hospitalized in the old Chicago State Hospital or Dunning as it was often called. He spent the next five years floating in and out of various wards
[xiv] until he finally died of Cancer of the Mouth in a then-new hospital just across Oak Park Avenue. Most of the men and women had simply grown too old and were no longer wanted by their families. It was truly sad. I knew now how he must have felt. It was an odd consolation but comforting.
I’m so glad that Jesus set me Free
[xv]7:15 AM May 22. It is now Day eight. How this ordeal has stretched on this long is a mystery. The three day, five day and x-day promises have all been forgotten. I am going to miss the fifth class, Legal Writing in a few hours at Roosevelt University. Why?
After breakfast I attended yet another self-help meeting. This one was chaired by Social Worker Pete Werner who was the one individual that was familiar with Mercy Lakefront SRO. I never found out why but suspect that other residents were victim of the same unlawful imprisonment that had befallen me.
The object of the meeting was ACCEPTANCE. We began with a breathing exercise to relax us all. In through the mouth, out through the nose. Elevator music was added and we were to allow out minds to clear of all disturbing thoughts. The next activity was to draw some clouds on paper. We were to use the clouds as receptacles for any disturbing thoughts. Any though that intruded on our peace was place in a cloud and we were to let it float away.
I asked “Pete” if this was the JELLYFISH lesson. Though he understood we had a minor disagreement regarding his philosophy of life. Anger and righteousness were to be shunned. I postulated that there is sometime a justifiable rationale for these emotions. Pete agreed but stated it was not healthy. I let it go at that.
05/23/2008 7:05 AM. This is the start of week number 2. There is no reason for my continued confinement. I will miss my fifth class in just a few hours. Where will this end?
10:00 AM. I have been informed that I will be release this afternoon. THANK GOD. This nightmare shall soon end.
I signed the required forms and find that the Diagnosis is “Adjustment Disorder with disturbance of Conduct”. This means I BECAME ANGRY WHEN TAKEN FROM MY APARTMENT WHILE STUDYING FOR A MID-TERM ON THE FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE AND CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MY CONTINUED UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT.
I was given a bag full of pills and finally released after lunch. The release form made an appointment for “Counseling” with some mental health clinic on the North side. I just wanted to GET BACK TO MY CLASSES AND FIND OUT HOW MUCH I HAD MISSED!
I walked out of Reed Mental Health and took the bus back to my Mercy Lakefront SRO apartment. I was given a bag filled with medication and an appointment slip for some mental health clinic on the North side. I left the dope at the bus stop and threw the appointment slip in the trash. I just wanted to get back to my classes. When I walked back into my apartment building no one said a word. It was as if nothing had happened. I went to the library the next day, logged onto to Blackboard
[xvi] only to find out that I had missed five assignments plus a mid-term examination.
Mercy Lakefront would like the sordid mess and their crimes to be forgotten but they have another thing coming. I’m not about to let this go without an awful court fight.
Walter Rogers was responsible for the eight day unlawful imprisonment
HE CAN BE REACHED AT:
(312) 446-4664
wrogers@mercyhousing.orgRogers also needs a GOOD LAWYER so if you’re good at defending TORTS get in touch – he’ll need your services soon.
A week later I received two bills for $635.00 and $968.00 from Sweedish Covenant Hospital for the “Emergency Room Services” they had provided when I was sent there by Chicago Lakeshore Hospital. I delivered both to:
Mr. Larry Mayes C/O
Mercy Lakefront Supportive Housing
247 South State St, Suite 810
Chicago, IL 60604-2053
Phone: 312-447-4500
Fax: 312-447-4750
Mercy Lakefront is responsible for it all so they can pay it. (and take it out of Walter Roger’s Salary)
With only a week it was rough but I made up all the work I had missed plus the mid-term. I passed but could have gotten honors grades had this not happened. I made honors in 2 out of 3 course last term. Mercy Lakefront’s apes never made honors grades in their lives and never even got a degree so they could care less. Most of the degrees of Mercy Lakefront’s Monkeys come from the COOK COUNTY JAIL!
a.) These events happened in Chicago Illinois barely a month ago.
b.) These abuses happened right here in the good ‘old USA.
c.) These things can happen to you.
Praise the Lord and God Bless America
http://mercylakefront.blogspot.com/[1] As Justice Cardoza put it
[2] . People v. Manis, 213 Ill. App. 3d 1075, 157 Ill. Dec. 749, 572 N.E.2d 1213 (3 Dist. 1991).
[3] People v. James, 199 Ill. App. 3d 316, 145 Ill. Dec. 221, 556 N.E.2d 839 (4 Dist. 1990).
[4] Ilegal entry
[5] I am also now receiving the following -
Diag Code V 68.09 305.1
Date 05/15/08
DR NO 004
Patient Name George Weinert
PS 23
Service Code 99275
Services Emergency Room Visit
Payments $625.00
Account No 001 60322
[6] This is a common tactic employed by the Africans who infest the Social Services Welfare Wagon. Since they deal primarily with criminals and mental patients it is useful to them if the client can be portrayed in like fashion; i.e. if the ‘caregivers’ can somehow engineer jailing a resident or (in the case here) having him confined to a mental hospital they have managed to paint their victim as a criminal of nut. This is useful since they can then use coercion, intimidation and threats of a repeat performance to control the abuse victim.
[7] .. In re Stone, 178 Ill. App. 3d 1084, 534 N.E.2d 213, 1989 Ill. App. LEXIS 154 (1 Dist. Feb. 9, 1989). This is accompanied by another billing for $958.00/
[8] People v. Stone, 178 Ill. App. 3d 1084, 128 Ill. Dec. 193, 534 N.E.2d 213 (3 Dist. 1989).
[9] Schneider v Bahler (1983, ND Ind) 564 F Supp 1449
[10] Employment, Training and Education
[11] TITLE VI--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS
SEC. 601. No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
Federal financial assistance.
SEC. 602. Each Federal department and agency which is empowered to extend Federal financial assistance to any program or activity, by way of grant, loan, or contract other than a contract of insurance or guaranty, is authorized and
directed to effectuate the provisions of section 601 with respect to such program or activity by issuing rules, regulations, or orders of general applicability which shall be consistent with achievement of the objectives of
the statute authorizing the financial assistance in connection with which the action is taken. No such rule, regulation, or order shall become effective unless and until approved by the President. Compliance with any requirement adopted pursuant to this section may be effected (1) by the termination of or
refusal to grant or to continue assistance under such program or activity to any recipient as to whom there has been an express finding on the record, after opportunity for hearing, of a failure to comply with such requirement, but such
termination or refusal shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part thereof, or other recipient as to whom such a finding has been made and, shall be limited in its effect to the particular program, or part thereof, in
which such non-compliance has been so found, or (2) by any other means authorized by law: Provided, however, That no such action shall be taken until the department or agency concerned has advised the appropriate person or persons
of the failure to comply with the requirement and has determined that compliance
cannot be secured by voluntary means. In the case of any action terminating, or
refusing to grant or continue, assistance because of failure to comply with a requirement imposed pursuant to this section, the head of the federal department
or agency shall file with the committees of the House and Senate having
legislative jurisdiction over the program or activity involved a full written
report of the circumstances and the grounds for such action. No such action
shall become effective until thirty days have elapsed after the filing of such
report.
SEC. 603. Any department or agency action taken pursuant to section 602 shall be
subject to such judicial review as may otherwise be provided by law for similar
action taken by such department or agency on other grounds. In the case of
action, not otherwise subject to judicial review, terminating or refusing to
grant or to continue financial assistance upon a finding of failure to comply
with any requirement imposed pursuant to section 602, any person aggrieved
(including any State or political subdivision thereof and any agency of either)
may obtain judicial review of such action in accordance with section 10 of the
Administrative Procedure Act, and such action shall not be deemed committed to
unreviewable agency discretion within the meaning of that section.
SEC. 604. Nothing contained in this title shall be construed to authorize action
under this title by any department or agency with respect to any employment
practice of any employer, employment agency, or labor organization except where
a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance is to provide
employment.
SEC. 605. Nothing in this title shall add to or detract from any existing authority with respect to any program or activity under which Federal financial
assistance is extended by way of a contract of insurance or guaranty.
[12] GET WHITEY!!!
[13] (20 ILCS 105/3.06) (from Ch. 23, par. 6103.06) Sec. 3.06. "Services" means those services designed to provide assistance to the aged such as nutritional programs, facilities improvement, transportation services, senior volunteer programs, senior companion programs, supplementary health services, programs for leisure-time activities, housing and employment counseling, benefits advocacy, and other informational, referral, and counseling programs to aid the aged in availing themselves of existing public or private services, or other similar social services intended to aid the senior citizen in attaining and maintaining self-sufficiency, personal well-being, and maximum participation in community life.
[14] Who is crazy enough to hold a Bachelors of Music Composition, De Paul University, 1976; a Masters of Music Composition, Roosevelt University, 1982; ½ of a Masters in Computer Science, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1984 and is a current Honors Level graduate student in the Roosevelt University Paralegal Certificate Program
[15] McKinney v. George, 726 F.2d 1183 (7th Cir. 1984).
[16] People v. Orr, 176 Ill. App. 3d 498, 125 Ill. Dec. 885, 531 N.E.2d 64 (4 Dist. 1988).
[17] People v. Shaw, 153 Ill. App. 3d 939, 106 Ill. Dec. 749, 506 N.E.2d 456 (4 Dist. 1987).
[18] In re Whittenberg, 143 Ill. App. 3d 836, 97 Ill. Dec. 855, 493 N.E.2d 662 (4 Dist. 1986).
[19] Though any such degrees are nowhere to be seen in offices. Rather odd no?
[20] Mercy Lakefront actually offers residents a course in “Janitor Training” and through NAMI a related facility offers classes in “Dishwasher Training: - now that’s dumb!
[21] “Think CTA Trains are bad? Try living there.”, by Mark Brown. Chicago Tribune, Page 06A, May 8, 2008.
[22] The Africans that “Manage” Mercy Lakefront SRO units pay for nothing. They get “WHITEY” to pay all the bills in government monies and embezzle the remainder via charitable contributions
[23] Our Mercy Lakefront SRO unit had at least two residents that had been diagnosed as being exposed to TB. Staff insisted that ALL RESIDENTS be vaccinated. I refused since it is the SICK who must be isolated to keep us all safe. But don’t tell ‘de brudders!
[24] Alone, by Edgar Allan Poe, 1829, First printed in Scribner's Monthly Magazine, September 1875
[i] It is common knowledge amongst residents that drug dealers and prostitutes operate with relative impunity in many Mercy Lakefront SRO units. They are ‘brudders so they get a pass from “Management”
[ii] The malfunctioning intercomm and a psychotic night desk clerk had rouse me from a sound sleep at 3:30 and 4:00 AM on two nights in the week prior. Though it was reported nothing was done and the situation only grew worse. Though the intercomm had been muffled the same psychotic desk clerk was loudly banging on my apartment door only a few nights ago at 2:30 AM. This is MERCY HOUSING!
[iii] It is also home invasion along with a few other crimes that are being researched
[iv] Since most got their only ‘degrees” In Stateville Penitentiary
[v] American Jurisprudence, Second Edition (AMJUR FALSEIMP § 3) False Imprisonment, Jack K. Levin, J.D., Westlaw, last updated May 2008. [v]
[vi] For you STNG Fans
[viii] [FN5] N.Y.—
Broughton v. State, 37 N.Y.2d 451, 373 N.Y.S.2d 87, 335 N.E.2d 310 (1975).
[FN6] Mich.—
Clarke v. K Mart Corp., 197 Mich. App. 541, 495 N.W.2d 820 (1992).N.J.—
Sanducci v. City of Hoboken, 315 N.J. Super. 475, 719 A.2d 160 (App. Div. 1998).Okla.—
Delong v. State ex rel. Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety, 1998 OK CIV APP 32, 956 P.2d 937 (Okla. Civ. App. Div. 1 1998).
[FN7] U.S.—
Curley v. AMR Corp., 153 F.3d 5 (2d Cir. 1998).
[FN8] U.S.—Ramirez v. U.S., 998 F. Supp. 425 (D.N.J. 1998);
Neal v. City of Harvey, Ill., 1 F. Supp. 2d 849 (N.D. Ill. 1998);
Martinez v. City of Los Angeles, 141 F.3d 1373 (9th Cir. 1998).
[FN9] U.S.—
Rose v. Town of Concord, 971 F. Supp. 47 (D. Mass. 1997).
[FN10] Ala.—
Lindsey By and Through Hodges v. Camelot Music, Inc., 628 So. 2d 314 (Ala. 1993).Cal.—
Asgari v. City of Los Angeles, 15 Cal. 4th 744, 16 Cal. 4th 89b, 63 Cal. Rptr. 2d 842, 937 P.2d 273 (1997), as modified on denial of reh'g, (Mar. 17, 1997).
[ix] Brave New World, Aldous Huxley – this is a reference to Soma
[x] This was not the first time. My own home parish of 45 years had me escorted from the Chapel of Our Lady by the Chicago Police Department for the “Crime” or praying a Rosary and trying to keep warm in a winter where I had no heat in my home. The Accounts can still be found at the Homeless Usenet Echo
[xi] [FN18] Cowdrey v. City of Eastborough, Kan., 730 F.2d 1376 (10th Cir. 1984).
[FN19] Santiago v. Fenton, 891 F.2d 373 (1st Cir. 1989).
[FN20] Bradway v. Gonzales, 26 F.3d 313, 29 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 997 (2d Cir. 1994).
© 2008 Thomson Reuters/West. Volumes 33-34B © 2008 Thomsom Reuters/RIA. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. All rights reserved.
[xii] I was surprised to find out that my Jailer Rogers had not come to court. I called him from Chicago Lakeshore Hospital the first night of my unlawful imprisonment, told him what I though of him and invited him to come to court and bring the tape. Why didn’t he? Perhaps they want to hide something.
[xiii] And I would probably meet some of our former “Case Managers”
[xiv] I remember the “Farm Ward” the best – it was located on the far western edge of the CSH property
[xv] Any Bible Church veterans here? I first learned via Chicago Victory Church but it is a common hymn
[xvi] An Internet system that Roosevelt, De Paul and other universities use to keep track of classes, course work and assignments on line.
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