Some residents are calling on the city of Chicago to invest in more mental health resources ahead of potential cuts by the public health department. While the proposed cuts to mental health staff tally only about $40,000, some Chicagoans say the health department isn’t doing enough to assist people who struggle with mental illness.
Under budget recommendations for 2018, the health department would cut a psychologist position, but would budget for a new epidemiologist. At Tuesday’s hearing, Public Health Commissioner Julie Morita said the department has faced consistent challenges in finding enough applicants for mental health positions.