Mayor Johnson expands alternate response effort for mental health emergencies

May 13, 2026 - 19:45

Mayor Brandon Johnson is moving forward with an expansion of Chicago's alternative emergency response system, tapping into the last remaining federal pandemic stimulus funds to get it started. The mayor has allocated $31 million from the final portion of COVID-19 relief money to launch and scale up the program, which sends mental health professionals and community responders to certain 911 calls instead of police officers.

The initiative represents a key progressive priority for Johnson, who campaigned on rethinking public safety. The new funding will allow the city to train more crisis workers, staff additional response teams, and cover operational costs for the next several months. City officials say the goal is to reduce unnecessary police involvement in situations that are better handled by social workers and medical professionals.

But the long-term financial picture is less certain. Once the federal stimulus dollars run out, Johnson is betting on revenue from his proposed social media tax to keep the program alive. That tax, which has drawn sharp criticism from business groups and tech companies, would apply to targeted digital advertising. Opponents argue it could drive companies out of Chicago or raise costs for small businesses. Supporters say it is a necessary step to fund services that the city has neglected for years.

The expansion comes as Chicago continues to grapple with high rates of gun violence and growing calls for police reform. Johnson's administration has framed the alternative response program as a way to free up officers for violent crime while providing more appropriate care for people in mental distress.