Kickoff event Saturday for Palatine Township mental health board campaign

Supporters of the upcoming referendum to establish a community mental health board in Palatine Township are holding a campaign kickoff event Saturday.

The event starts at 10 a.m. at Annie’s Restaurant, 154 W. Northwest Highway in Palatine. It is hosted by the referendum advocacy group Mental Health Matters-Palatine Township and will feature State Rep. Mary Beth Canty and other community leaders.

The community mental health board, otherwise known as a 708 board, would be formed to serve the needs of mental heath, substance use and developmental disability services in the township.

It would be funded through a referendum-created 0.04% annual property tax. Proponents said for a $350,000 home, this amounts to less than $41 per year. The measure would generate up to $1.7 million exclusively for mental health programs and services.

The mental health board uses those funds to provide grants to local nonprofit organizations and local public entities that provide mental health services to Palatine Township residents.