Mayor Johnson celebrates reopening of public mental health center—the second this year
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.
The move fulfills a campaign promise the mayor made—to reinstate public health clinics closed under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration. At the time, Mayor Emanuel claimed the city had increased services by working with private agencies instead.
Touring the Pilsen South Ashland Health Hub, 1713 S. Ashland Ave., Mayor Johnson said the reopening marks a significant milestone in the effort to address health disparities.
He talked about his personal connection to the issue, referencing his own brother Leon's struggle.
"He passed well before his time—addicted and unhoused," Mayor Johnson said, "and like my brother, many residents that are suffering from mental health crises, and they don't have access to consistent, affordable, and accessible mental health care that they need."
Speakers said the no-cost center will service about 300 clients a year—offering bilingual services, free vaccinations, and WIC nutrition program services for women, infants, and children in 2025.
"We are demonstrating right now how we are able to change things, and how we are able to get the things that we need for our communities," said Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd).
The Pilsen facility is the latest to reopen since May, when Mayor Johnson debuted the city's roadmap to expanding mental and behavioral health services.
One promised location, Legler Regional Library in West Garfield Park, started seeing patients this summer. The Pilsen location makes two.
For a third, Johnson previously pledged to reopen Roseland Mental Health Clinic by the end of the year.
But the reopenings do come as the city tackles a budget gap. The city projects mental health response and care program costs will grow each year—with a funding gap of a staggering $19,774,341 by 2027.
The city admitted, "There must be an identification of additional revenue sources to address the forecasted funding gap."
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 will open. The Mayor's office has not responded.