Mental health advocates eyeing new legislation

Mental health advocates in Chicago and across the state are watching the General Assembly carefully as it debates several measures that would bring millions in tax dollars to cash-starved clinics.

Of particular interest are a non-binding resolution encouraging the state to ensure funds allocated for behavioral service aren't redirected to other activities, a bill requiring the state to make timely payments to community agencies and a bill upping sales tax on alcohol to fund mental health services.

All are expected to come up for votes before the General Assembly adjourns May 31.

If the legislation doesn't pass, "we would continue in the nose dive we've been in," says Suzanne Andriukaitis, executive director of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Chicago. "The decline all has to do with funding. It has to do with the lack of available funding to provide services."

For more, see the Chi-Town Daily News.