Robert Morris University offered an apology and a promise to have their dance team submit future costumes for approval from now on after a local blogger who focuses on writing about mental illness issues complained about a photo someone sent her of the dance team in modified straightjacket costumes. more ›

A DuPage County judge has ruled that Michael Jenkins of Carol Stream cannot be released from police custody, except to the care of a psychiatric facility, after allegedly throwing a 13-week old puppy down the stairs and then kicking it to death. Jenkins attacked the dog after it went to the bathroom in the house. According to Jenkins's mother, he called her last month, upset, and said that he was afraid he might hurt himself. She rushed over to the home, and found the dog dead on the floor. A necropsy on the animal showed that it suffered brain damage, a broken jaw and neck. Jenkins's attorney is trying to get his case heard in DuPage's Mental Illness Court Alternative Program, which could lead to treatment if convicted. [NBC 5, Tribune] more ›

Governor Quinn is putting together a "high-level" task force in response to a three-part Tribune investigation which showed how Illinois more than any other state relies on nursing homes as a place to house mentally ill patients or convicted felons with mental illness or physical disability. The Tribune story exposed cases where elderly or disabled nursing home residents were allegedly assaulted or raped by mentally ill criminals living in the same facility. more ›