The confusion continues over Mayor Daley's "reprieve" for four Chicago mental health clinics slated to be closed this week, as the Tribune reports this afternoon:

Pressed on whether that meant a 30-day moratorium on closures would be put in place, the mayor replied, “Yeah, we’re working with them. Yes, we are. We’re trying to make sure we keep them moving.”

But telephone calls to the clinics—placed after mental-health advocates disputed the mayor’s assertion—told a different story.

Workers at clinics in the Back of the Yards and Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhoods said they closed today. At the Greater Grand/Mid South clinic, workers said Friday would be their last day but no clients were being taken today. In Woodlawn, they said they were not open for business and did not know their long-term status.

Even when the city is trying to do the right thing, they still can't do it right.  Declaring a 30-day moratorium while they sort out the details makes perfect sense as compared to these vague declarations about closed-door "talks."  Just do it already.

That being said, in contrast to their piece from last week, it's nice to see the Tribune article lay out the facts surrounding the proposed closures:

Earlier this year, the Daley administration confirmed that the clinics, among a network of 12 throughout the city, would close because the state reduced funding by nearly $1.2 million.

But state records show the funding was reduced because of problems with a new city Department of Public Health computer system that failed for months on end to properly bill the state. Each year’s successful billings determine funding for the next year. The state repeatedly warned the city of the potential funding loss, the records show.

Would have been nicer, of course, if they credited Chi-Town Daily News for unearthing those "state records."