Sometimes people who suffer from mental illness need medical care. In the Chicago area, there are a number of facilities that are designed to treat people with severe mental health issues. One is the Tinley Park Mental Health Center.

As part of a budget-cutting measure, state officials are aiming to close the facility. But former patients, their family members, nurses, doctors and other advocates have been trying to help save it. Many of them gathered at a hearing in Orland Hills recently.

While closing the center and several others would help the state save $55 million, many argue that the facility, which employs 184 people and serves 35 patients at a time, is vital to the well-being of hundreds of people. According to the head of the human services department, the facility served 1,905 patients last year.

One woman credits the facility with helping her 42-year-old son, who suffers from severe mental issues. Last year, he was admitted for a 10-day involuntary stay. While he's had further problems, she says the staff did a wonderful job with him. Recent events have left her and others wondering where patients are supposed to go if the center closes.

Right now, there's not really a plan. Patients might be directed to hospitals and other facilities, but details are sketchy.

The pleas appear to have worked, but only to a point: a 12-person commission recently voted to keep Tinley Park open. However, their stance is merely advisory, and unless something changes, Gov. Pat Quinn says the center will still close by next July at the latest.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, "State urged to keep open Tinley Park Mental Health Center," Steve Metsch, Nov. 1, 2011