Chicago Mayor Richard Daley Thursday blamed the state for the closing of four mental health clinics on the city’s South Side. But he announced no plans for helping those people who use the clinics’ services.


City officials say they have to close the clinics because of a $1.3 million dollar funding cut from the state. Mayor Daley was quick to point out this was not the city’s fault.

DALEY: The state of Illinois funds those centers.  We did not cut.  They have cut state mental health facilities all over the state.  That is state money.  Underline that, S-A-T-E.  It’s called state money.

Daley says the funding is an issue, quote, “we’re trying to work out.” The mayor wouldn’t say how he plans to help people who will be affected by the closings, only that the situation’s “very difficult.” Critics have said the cuts will be highly disruptive for the mentally ill.

A statement from the governor’s office says the city has an $8.5 million contract for mental health services. But it says the city has not billed the state for that full amount.