SPRINGFIELD - Illinois officials are poised to launch a year-long study of nine state facilities that house nearly 2,700 developmentally disabled residents.

The survey, set to begin this fall, comes as Gov. Rod Blagojevich has raised questions about housing developmentally disabled residents in large, institutional settings.

And, the review will get underway amidst calls by one advocacy group to close one of the facilities because of alleged mistreatment of residents.

But a spokesman for the agency that oversees the institutions says the survey is not intended to determine whether any of the centers should be shuttered.

"I wouldn't say it's related to that," said Illinois Department of Human Services spokesman Tom Green. "It's probably quite the opposite. It's going to be about what it would take to make them run better."

The agency is seeking to assess the operations of the facilities in order to make sure there aren't problems that could lead to the loss of federal Medicaid dollars, said Green.

The state is calling for proposals from consultants to conduct the survey. The cost of the review won't be known until bids are received, Green said.

"It is more of an effort to improve the quality of care at the developmental centers," said Green.

The issue of whether to keep the nine institutions operating has been heavily debated since former Gov. George Ryan announced he was closing one of the facilities in Logan County.

The move touched off controversy between advocates who believe all residents should be moved into smaller settings, such as group homes, and families who wanted their children to stay in the larger institution.

The closure of Lincoln Developmental Center also ended the facility's reign as that city's largest employer.

Blagojevich initially promised to reverse Ryan's decision, but has since announced that he's not even sure a much-downsized version of LDC should reopen.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said the governor has not made a final decision on what to do with Lincoln.

In addition to questions about the facility in Lincoln, advocacy groups have called for the closure of the Choate Developmental Center in Anna. State health officials also have raised questions about the operation of the developmental center in Jacksonville.

Zena Naiditch, executive director of Equip for Equality, which advocates for moving residents into smaller settings, questioned whether spending money for the survey is worthwhile.

Naiditch said Illinois' reliance on large institutions to house developmentally disabled residents is outmoded.

"Illinois just keeps clinging to this model," Naiditch said.

While Green said the study isn't aimed at closing the facilities, he did acknowledge that the state wants to get more residents into smaller homes.

"We do have an overall goal of moving as many individuals as possible into community settings if they are appropriate. That's their choice," said Green.