Associated Press - November 17, 2009 3:24 PM ET

CHICAGO (AP) - A federal investigation has found violations of the rights of residents of a Chicago-area institution for people with developmental disabilities.

Investigators found "rampant" assaults at Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park. They noted unexpected deaths and said the center largely fails to help residents who are able to live independently move out on their own.

The findings are based on a 2007 inspection. The report will be posted on the Web site of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division on Thursday.

Illinois has been taking steps to close the Tinley Park center since August. The plan calls for moving all residents out by April of 2010.

A separate federal report on the Choate Developmental Center in southern Illinois found inadequate discharge planning and other problems.

On the Net:

http://www.justice.gov/crt/index.php

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