Human Rights

Protecting Rights. Promoting Dignity. Empowering People.

Advocacy

To uphold and protect the rights of all people served by MRI through education, advocacy, oversight, and person-centered support ensuring each person’s voice is heard and valued.

Who we are

At Macon Resources, Inc. (MRI), every person has the right to dignity, respect, choice, and safety. The Human Rights Department works to ensure these rights are understood, honored, and protected across all programs. We partner with persons served, families, employees, and advocates to create an environment where people are empowered to speak up, make decisions, and live meaningful lives.

  • Teach persons served about their rights and responsibilities
  • Provide rights training to persons served and employees
  • Offer visual supports, videos, and interactive training tools
  • Promote everyday dignity and respect throughout MRI
  • Review environments for rights, privacy, and safety
  • Monitor rights restrictions and ensure they are least-restrictive
  • Support teams with respectful, person-centered planning
  • Align practices with state and federal requirements, including IDHS, CQL Basic Assurances®, and OIG guidelines
  • Facilitate monthly HRC meetings
  • Review and approve rights restrictions, behavioral support and safety plans
  • Ensure all decisions are based on dignity, necessity, and individual choice
  • Include diverse committee members who advocate for the rights of individuals
  • Partner with Brave Hearts, MRI’s self-advocacy group
  • Encourage persons served to express concerns, share ideas, and participate in decisions
  • Support advocacy events, outreach, and community education

They Deserve more!

They Deserve More is a statewide coalition in Illinois advocating for increased state funding for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers.

Flag raising ceremony

MRI hosted its first ever Flag Ceremony in 2026 dedicated to the Disability Pride Flag. MRI discussed the significance and symbolism that the flag honors.

paint the town orange

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We celebrated inclusion, diveristy, and independence. It represents MRI’s mission to value and support our person’s served.

going to the state capital

MRI visits the State Capital every May. It gives our person’s served the opprotunity to advocate for themselves in a public setting in a meaningful way.

When to Contact the Human Rights Department

You can reach out to us if you:

  • Have concerns that someone’s rights may not be honored
  • Have questions about restrictions, behavior supports, or personal freedoms
  • Need help understanding rights or supporting someone who wants to speak up
  • Want to file a rights concern or complaint
  • Need assistance preparing for an advocacy meeting or conversation

No concern is too small—if it matters to you, it matters to us.

How to Report a Rights Concern

Steps to Report
1. Contact the Human Rights Department in person, by phone, or email
2. Share your concern—you may include details or simply state something doesn’t feel right
3. Someone from the team will follow up to gather additional information
4. Your concern will be reviewed promptly and respectfully
5. You will receive a response, and steps will be taken to ensure rights and safety

We’d love to hear from you

Lori Cox – Human Rights Coordinator

If you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to our department!