About 30 protesters stood outside Wheeling Township headquarters in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, calling on township leaders to finally fund a mental health board established by voters more than 18 months ago.
But when they later presented their request to the town board, they were largely ignored.
Hugh Brady, a member of the National Mental Health Alliance’s Chicago Northwest Suburban Committee, protested outside its Wheeling Township office in Arlington Heights on Tuesday.
Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
Voters passed a referendum in November 2022 to establish a mental health commission and a new tax to support community programs that help people with mental illness, substance abuse issues and developmental disabilities.
However, the Town Council rejected the tax on the advice of attorney Kenneth Florey, who argued that the ballot measure’s language was flawed and would have left the town vulnerable to lawsuits if the Town Council passed the tax without a second referendum.
But the state legislature passed a law last year recognizing the referendum results, despite oversight.
“The voters are watching their refusal to act,” Arlington Heights resident Mary Hahn told town board members.
Mary Hahn of Arlington Heights held up a sign in support of the Wheeling Township Mental Health Board in Arlington Heights on Tuesday.
Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
Arlington Heights resident Amy Somaly said she is disappointed with the way the town council is handling the issue.
“The need exists and the voters made the choice,” she said..
Lori Greinaoui, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, said she was skeptical of Florey’s predictions about what would happen if tax reform went ahead.
“How many people are going to sue over $30 a year?” she asked.
“I believe there are over 100 mental health boards in Illinois,” Grainwey added. “When this board was voted to be established in November 2022, seven boards were established. The other six are fully funded. Why is Wheeling the only one that’s isolated?”
After hearing from the public, the board proceeded with its regular agenda.
Despite the criticism, town officials have previously said they support local mental health programs, including providing about $300,000 in funding to agencies such as Clearbrook Center and Amita Health.
