CHICAGO (CBS) — A public mental health center in Pilsen has reopened its doors.
The facility is one of three that Mayor Brandon Johnson promised would reopen by the end of the year.
This move fulfills a campaign promise the mayor made: recovery public health clinics Closed under the administration of former mayor Rahm Emanuel. At that time, Mayor Emmanuel claimed the city had expanded services by working with private agencies instead.
During a tour of the Pilsen South Ashland Health Hub, 1713 S. Ashland Ave., Mayor Johnson said the reopening marks an important milestone in the effort to address health disparities.
He talked about his personal connection to the issue, citing his own brother Leon’s struggle.
“He died well before his time – addicted and without a home,” said Mayor Johnson, “and like my brother, many residents are suffering from mental health crises, lacking access to consistent, affordable and accessible mental health care. that they need.”
Speakers said the free center will serve approximately 300 clients per year, offering bilingual services, free vaccinations and WIC nutrition program services for women, infants and children by 2025.
“We’re demonstrating now how we can change things and how we can get the things we need for our communities,” said Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sánchez (33rd).
The Pilsen factory is the last to reopen since May Mayor Johnson presented the city’s roadmap for expanding mental and behavioral health services.
One promised location, the Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park, began seeing patients this summer. The Pilsen location makes two.
For a third, Johnson previously promised to reopen the Roseland Mental Health Clinic by the end of the year.
But the reopenings come as the city addresses a budget gap. The city projects mental health response and care program costs will increase every year – with a funding gap of as much as $19,774,341 by 2027.
The city admitted, “Additional revenue sources must be identified to address the projected funding shortfall.”
But Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) said: “We will not stop investing in people,
CBS News Chicago asked the mayor’s office when the Roseland clinic would open. The mayor’s office did not respond.
