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Rebuilding Community Mental Health

 Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the new mental health center go?

The location will be decided by a governing commission created with the passage of the referendum question. Commissioners will be community members nominated by local nonprofits and approved by the governor and the mayor. The center will most likely be central to the communities and close to public transportation.

Can I vote on this referendum if I don’t pay property taxes?

Yes, every voter in the community can vote on this question. This includes people who don’t own property and renters, as well as property owners.

Where can i find out more about how expanded mental health services programs work?

Check out our page How EMHSPs Work to find out more about the process for bringing mental health services to our communities. Additionally, read through the Illinois state law that allows for the creation of EMHSPs: Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act [405 ILCS 22/].

 

A Voter’s Guide to Expanded Mental Health Services Programs

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting and learning more about expanded mental health services programs for Chicago. We hope you’ve had the chance to meet our teams as they’ve worked to bring mental health services to your communities.

On November 5, 2024 voters in the Near Southwest Side (Little Village, Pilsen, McKinley Park, Bridgeport, and Armour Square) communities and the Englewood-Greater Chatham (West Englewood, Englewood, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, and Avalon Park) communities voted on a binding referendum question asking if residents are willing to expand mental health services for their communities by approving a .025% increase in property taxes.

The Near Southwest Side EMHSP was approved with 79% of the vote and the Englewood-Greater Chatham EMHSP was approved with 91% of the vote!

 

What will these funds do?

  • Provide direct free mental health services for an resident in the area who needs assistance in overcoming or coping with mental health or emotional disorders.

  • Establish a new community mental health center to provide these services.

  • Restore other vital mental health services such as outreach in our schools, veteran services, preventative outreach, and family counseling.

  • By law, every penny of this money will stay in the communities and can ONLY be spent on mental health services for those in need.

  • These funds will be overseen locally by a Governing Commission of residents living within the communities.

What does .025% mean to me?

A $4 increase for every $1000 you currently pay in property taxes is equivalent to the price of one latte.

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