Protesters demand Wheeling Township act on mental health funding

A crowd of about 30 protesters stood in front of Wheeling Township headquarters in Arlington Heights on Tuesday urging township leaders to finally fund a mental health board created by voters more than 18 months ago.

But when they later brought their request to the township board, they were met largely with silence.

Voters in November 2022 passed a referendum establishing a mental health board and a new tax to support community programs that assist those with mental illness, substance abuse issues or developmental disabilities.

However, the township board has refused to levy the tax on the advice of attorney Kenneth Florey. He insists that an oversight in the ballot measure’s wording would expose the township to litigation if the board imposes the tax without a second referendum.

However, the state legislature passed a law last year that validates the referendum results, despite the oversight.

Arlington Heights resident Mary Hahn told township board members that “voters are watching” their refusal to act.

Fellow Arlington Heights resident Amy Somary said she is disappointed with the way the township board is handling the issue.

“The need is there, and voters made their choice,” she said.

Lorri Grainawi, a board member with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Northwest Suburbs Chicago, said she is skeptical about Florey’s prediction of what might occur if the tax moves forward.

“How many people are going to sue over $30 a year,” she asked.

“I would say there are over 100 mental health board in the state of Illinois,” Grainawi added. “There were seven created when this board was voted into existence in November of 2022. Those six other boards have been fully funded. Why is it only Wheeling that stands alone?”

The board listened to the public comment then moved forward with its regular agenda.

Despite the criticism, township officials previously have noted that they do support mental health programs in the community, including through nearly $300,000 in funding to agencies such as Clearbrook Center and Amita Health.