Aldermen want 'mental health safety net' in wake of police shootings

Chicago will face more police shootings that trigger multimillion dollar settlements unless steps are taken to strengthen mental health services devastated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2012 decision to close six of the city's 12 mental health clinics, aldermen argued this week.

One week after Emanuel stepped up crisis intervention training for Chicago Police officers and 911 call takers to dramatically improve the city's response to emergencies involving people suffering from mental illness, eight aldermen argued that the mayor's response was nowhere near enough.

A so-called "mental health safety net" ordinance would give the city's Department of Public Health six months to join three managed care networks. The ordinance would further require the city to "vigorously recruit" and hire enough psychiatrists to satisfy demand at its six remaining mental health clinics.

For the full story, click here.