Petitions circulating for mental health board referendum in Palatine Township

Mental health advocates are collecting signatures in an effort to place a referendum for a 708 mental health board in Palatine Township on the April ballot.

The initiative follows successful attempts in Schaumburg, Wheeling and Vernon townships.

“We’re trying to really get a whole wave of them across the whole Northwest suburbs,” said Hugh Brady, a board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Northwest Suburbs Chicago.

Named after the legislation that created the mental health boards, 708 boards are intended to raise funds through a voter-approved tax. Dollars are then funneled to local agencies addressing mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.

The township board would appoint a volunteer mental health board, Brady explained. The mental health board would have a consultant conduct a needs assessment. Eventually the mental health board would recommend a budget for approval by the township board.

The ballot question would ask voters whether Palatine Township should levy an annual tax not to exceed 0.04% for community mental health facilities and services.

The goal is to raise $1.7 million annually to help fill in the gaps in services and reduce long waiting lists, Brady said. The average-priced home would pay about $41 more to the township annually.