Rally for Mental Health June 29 for 708 Boards in Schaumburg and Wheeling Townships

Posted June 05, 2022 11:00 pm

Geri Wasserman

A Rally for Mental Health will be held on Wednesday, June 29th, to learn about and rally for the creation of 708 Community Mental Health Boards in both Schaumburg and Wheeling townships. The event is presented by the Schaumburg 708 Mental Health Board Coalition, Mental Health Board for Wheeling Township, and Reclaim NW Suburbs, and will take place at Busse Woods South on Wednesday, June 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison will be the MC for the event, and will join speakers from local mental health agencies addressing the need for and importance of 708 Boards. It will be a picnic with food, refreshments, and games.

708 Boards, which exist in many townships and counties in Illinois, provide important connections between townships and their communities in providing targeted and comprehensive care to help those affected by mental illness, addiction, or developmental disabilities. These are appointed volunteer boards that are directly funded to provide grants for mental health services by a small increase in property taxes of up to 0.15% for the residents in townships. A goal to raise $1.5 million would be reached by a small increase of $25 a year for the average homeowner in Schaumburg and Wheeling townships.

In order for these boards to be created, petitions are circulating to get a referendum on the November ballot in each township that would allow for this property tax increase to be used to create these boards. We hope that you can circulate these petitions which you can access at https://www.advocatefor708.org/. Those who bring petitions with at least 5 signatures will be awarded a prize at the rally. Petitions for signing and a notary will be available at the event also.

In the case of rain, we are at a sheltered location. Busse Woods South Shelter 6 is at Arlington Heights and Higgins Roads in Elk Grove Village. This is a free event. Sign up is required at https://actionnetwork.org/events/rally-for-mental-health?source=direct_link&

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