Chicago’s mental health teams face hurdles as tech access returns

A Year Without Real-Time Coordination

For nearly a year, Chicago’s mental health crisis teams operated without a vital piece of technology—portable communication terminals—that allowed them to track emergencies in real time. The devices, removed by police in July 2023, were crucial for rapid response, but their absence has crippled the program’s effectiveness.

Now, Mayor Brandon Johnson says officials are racing to return the devices, though no firm timeline has been set.

A Program Built on Promise—But Plagued by Setbacks

Launched in 2021, the crisis intervention program was designed to dispatch mental health experts instead of police to certain emergencies. Yet from the start, it faced major hurdles:

• Fire Department staffing failures often left teams without paramedics, slashing response rates by nearly 70% in one year.
• Internal disputes and leadership clashes further slowed progress, with one health official resigning after conflicts with the mayor’s office.

The Terminal Removal Deepened the Crisis

When police pulled the terminals in July 2023, crisis team responses plummeted another 52%. The devices were their lifeline—instant updates on emergencies—and without them, coordination collapsed.

Police have not explained why the terminals were removed in the first place.

Johnson Vows Progress—But Critics Remain Skeptical

Johnson acknowledges the program’s early struggles but insists it’s a work in progress. His administration is:

✔ Expanding program hours ✔ Planning a citywide rollout by October

Yet skepticism lingers. Some city leaders, like Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, argue for removing police from the program entirely. Despite adjustments, doubts persist: Can Chicago’s mental health crisis system truly meet the city’s needs?