Chicago-Read Mental Health Center

Chicago-Read Mental Health Center (CRMHC, often called simply Read) is a state-run inpatient JCAHO-accredited facility, located in the community of Dunning, northwest of Chicago, Illinois. In 1965, as a community alternative to state managed hospital care, the Charles F. Read Zone Center was established in Dunning as a mental health facility. It was located west of Oak Park Avenue. It later merged operations with Chicago State Hospital when it closed in 1970. The new inpatient mental health center was renamed the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center.

Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
Sign located at entrance to Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
Geography
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Services
Beds	250 to 300
Public transit access	CTA
Links
Lists	Hospitals in Illinois

History

Public institutions in Dunning have provided shelter and care for the mentally ill and destitute residents of Chicago since 1854, beginning with the Cook County Poor Farm (1854–1912).^[1] The Poor Farm was a large 320-acre complex with a Poorhouse, Insane Asylum, Tuberculosis Hospital and working farm.^[2] In 1912, Cook County sold the Dunning Poor Farm to the State of Illinois, who assumed responsibility for the Insane Asylum and renamed it the Chicago State Hospital.^[3] A fire at the State Hospital on 26 December 1923 killed fifteen people. Two wings of the hospital were destroyed. Press reports described the building as a "death house" even before the fire.^[4]

Chicago State Hospital Administration Building, 1922

In 1963, after the Community Mental Health Act was passed in the United States to provide federal funding for community mental health centers, Illinois built six "zone centers" providing community mental health treatment.^[5] The Charles F. Read Zone Center was established as a community alternative to state managed hospital care. Established in 1965, and located west of Oak Park Avenue, the Charles. F. Read Zone Center took over the operations of the Chicago State Hospital when it closed in 1970. The new facility was renamed the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center.^[6]

Investigations

In 1988, the director of the facility was dismissed under what were described as deplorable conditions for patients; in 1992, it was under investigation for civil rights violations^[7] and in 1993, Read lost its accreditation altogether.^[8]