CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Advocates say they are counting on a hearing next week to make the case for reopening the dozen mental health clinics that were shut down under Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Nearly a dozen years ago, the Emanuel administration established a network of private non-profit agencies to handle the caseload of the mental health clinics the city closed back then. Any Huamani, an organizer with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council said those clinics are not everywhere they need to be.
"When we advocate for public mental health centers, we're advocating for accessible mental health care that obviously is not happening in the most needed communities in Chicago, which are usually the black and brown communities that have been disinvested for so long."
Arturo Carrillo, BPN's deputy health director said the city abdicated its role to serve those in need.
"The system that we currently have does not go far enough and unfortunately, there's too many people out of care and and perpetually experiencing crises."
The advocates are hoping the hearings and Mayor Brandon Johnson will help right what they say are wrongs.
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