New Wheeling Township board taking baby steps toward change

After sweeping previously held Republican trustee seats in April, Wheeling Township’s newly elected Democratic board of trustees is taking modest steps toward promised reforms.

The board made one immediate change at its first meeting last Tuesday, moving meeting times from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Supervisor Maria Zeller Brauer also appointed, and the board approved, newly elected Trustee Lorri Grainawi to the township’s community mental health board.

Grainawi will be the township board’s liaison, replacing former Trustee Jeanne Hamilton.

Grainawi was instrumental in organizing the referendum that created the mental health board. She serves on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Northwest Suburbs Chicago and is co-president of a group that advocates for housing for those with disabilities.

Brauer said she selected Grainawi because of her activism and her experience with mental health boards.

“She just had so much experience that I think lends itself well to being on the mental health board,” she said.

Grainawi said one of her goals is to push for the mental health board to be more independent. She said spending cannot continue coming from the general town fund but must be supported by the tax levy that has yet to be put in place.

“Financially, they need to be independent. It’s required by state statute. It’s not just something we want to do, it’s what we have to do,” she said.

Brauer said the township is also embarking on significant digital modernization initiatives, including a complete website redesign that will enable credit card donations for the food pantry and establish secure document exchange systems for residents accessing services like general assistance.

Finally, the township is seeking a new law firm, though current attorney Kenneth Florey will remain to assist with such matters as employment issues during the transition, Brauer said.