Kankakee County residents have the opportunity to vote on a sales tax referendum in today's Consolidated Election that would create mental health treatment for those in need.  Voters will decide if they are willing to adopt a ¼ cent sales tax to create local, long-term solutions to address chronic gaps in the mental health system of care.

Several objections and questions have been raised about the need for the tax and how the funds will be spent. Kankakee County Citizens for Mental Health held a series of four informational meetings to provide residents the opportunity to discuss these issues, as well as other questions they had.

Proponents of the tax argue that even with this increase, the highest sales tax rate (8.5%) in Kankakee County would still be significantly less the rates in Cook County and Chicago.  Supporters say “Identifying and addressing mental illness early saves more than it costs in the long run.”

Opponents of the tax maintain that there are enough mental health services in Kankakee County. Yet, for nearly a decade, the Partnership for a Healthy Community has identified the shortage of mental health services as priority public health concern. Long wait times to begin receiving treatment and gaps in service are well documented. The need is further evidenced by the ratio of population to mental health service providers. In Kankakee County, it is 660 residents to one mental health service provider. This is much higher than the state ratio of 410 to one and national ratio of 380 to one.

Many of the questions raised center around who and how will decisions be made about spending the monies collected. According to the Illinois Community Mental Health Act, before it may levy the tax, the County Board must establish a seven-member community mental health board who will administer these funds. The board will be appointed by the County Board chairman, with the advice and consent of the members of the County Board. All members of the Community Mental Health Board must be appointed within 60 days of the referendum.

The Act requires that members of the Community Mental Health Board must be residents of Kankakee County. They should include representatives of interested groups of the community such as the local health department, medical societies, hospital boards, lay associations concerned with mental health, as well as the general public. However, no member of the Community Mental Health Board may be a full-time or part-time employee of the Illinois Department of Human Services or a board member, employee or any other individual receiving compensation from any facility or service operating under contract to the Board. No member shall receive payment, except expenses, for service on the Board.

Proceeds of the tax will be deposited into a special county occupation tax fund for mental health purposes. As described in the Act, applicants for funding may be an individual or a public or private entity providing mental health services to residents of Kankakee County.

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