Boards help assure services for disabled

I encourage everyone to vote yes on the mental health referendum that is on the November ballot. I am a relative of someone with mental health issues. There is a terrible shortage of supportive services for people in our area who live with mental illness, substance use challenges and developmental/intellectual disabilities.

Lack of state funding is a huge part of the problem. This results in long waits to see psychiatrists or get into substance abuse programs. People with developmental/intellectual disabilities often have to wait six to eight years to get state services after they age out of school services.

A yes vote will help create Community Mental Health Boards (informally known as 708 Boards).These boards would be appointed by township officials and would function as a committee of the township board. These boards would not be new agencies or another layer of bureaucracy. Instead, they will provide grants to existing agencies to improve services, shorten waiting lists and help publicize the availability of help for people in need.

Funds would be generated by a small increase in property tax. For example, in Wheeling township, the average homeowner's property tax would slightly increase by about $28 annually- barely the cost of 1 large pizza. Tax increases in other townships would be the same or even lower. These funds would be used only to fund supportive services for people in those townships. NONE can go to the county or state.

Please vote YES to improve mental health, substance abuse and developmental/intellectual disability services in your township. A community that cares for its citizens is a safer, stronger community.

Christine Eggert

Arlington Heights