CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An overhaul of Chicago's approach to mental health treatment and people in crisis gained momentum with a City Council hearing.
The Health and Human Relations Committee heard from health and police officials in New York City, Portland, Denver and Albuquerque about their programs that mostly respond to people having mental health crises with teams of mental health professionals and not police.
And the proposal spearheaded by committee chair Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez would also include reopening the nearly dozen mental health clinics closed by the Emanuel administration. She said treatment not trauma is moving forward.
"We have the expertise to do that. We have the people to build that with and I am really excited to start partnering with Mayor Brandon Johnson and this administration to create something that we are all going to be proud of and that is going to help us care for people in the way that people need to be cared for."
Dr. Dave Chokshi, Deputy New York City Health Commissioner said during the hearing that he also supports the plan to re-open city run mental health clinics.
"We need less private equity in healthcare and more public ownership of health services," he said. "This is particularly true when it comes to access to mental health services."
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