This past spring, a new $16 million system implemented by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) turned out to be so flawed that patient mental health bills weren’t submitted to the state for six months in 2008. This so-called "glitch" led to a loss of more than $1million in state funding and almost resulted in the closure down four clinics on the city's South Side. Back in July we took Daley administration officials at their word when they said that the problems were fixed.
Big mistake.
During the ongoing city budget hearings yesterday, it was revealed that the system is still not working properly. Outgoing CDPH chief Terry Mason told aldermen that fixing the $16 million Cerner system -- which was supposed to represent an upgrade -- remains "an active process."
To his credit, Ald. Rick Munoz (22nd Ward) pressed him on the matter: "You're saying that after 18 months you're unable to work out technical glitches that prevent us from billing the state?" "That is correct," Mason responded.
Budget Committee Chair Ald. Carrie Austin (34th Ward) assured Munoz that the Cerner system would be fixed within "months."
"Months?" Munoz asked. Austin replied that she couldn't offer a "specific date."








After his administration received unprecedented criticism for leasing off Chicago's parking meter system, one might think Mayor Daley would cool it on the privatization schemes. Instead, he appears to be looking for more public assets to sell off to the highest bidder. The Tribune