Palatine Township Community Mental Health Board: Taking Action to Serve Our Community

At its August 11 meeting, the Palatine Township Community Mental Health Board (CMHB) approved a plan focused on securing interim funding and evaluating the process to gather data for a needs assessment to guide its funding priorities. The CMHB is moving forward with plans to begin serving our residents immediately.

The CMHB was approved by voters in April 2025 to plan, fund, and coordinate services for residents with mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. President Joseph T. Serio, Secretary Sarah McKillop, Karen Baker, Kathy Millin, Jennifer Iannuzzelli, Jiby A. Vettickal, and Trustee Michael C. Smolka serve as the Palatine Township Community Mental Health Board.

To support its early work, and before the taxing authority takes effect in 2026, the Mental Health Board is preparing to formally request “bridge funding” from Palatine Township through a proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). This one-year agreement, which is anticipated to take effect October 1, would request the Township provide administrative support, shared services, coordinated financial oversight, and standardized data reporting. This agreement would allow the CMHB to begin work before tax revenues become available, helping ensure the mission of the Board is carried out as soon as possible.

If the Palatine Township Board approves the IGA, the Mental Health board will present initial funding recommendations as early as mid-November. An alternative option was the use of Tax Anticipation Notes or Tax Anticipation Warrants which would be financed through a lender and repaid with interest using future tax revenue. However, the belief is that collaboration with the Township is the best path forward enabling the CMHB to launch responsibly and efficiently.

The CMHB has also created a Needs Assessment Committee to help the Board gather the necessary data and information to better understand where services are most needed in our community. Co-Chaired by Board Members Karen Baker and Kathy Millin, this committee will review assessments and data already collected by healthcare systems, service agencies, and community partners, including Endeavor Health and other nearby mental health boards. By building on existing knowledge and identifying service gaps, the CMHB will ensure its funding decisions are informed, targeted, and responsive to real community needs, while saving financial resources meant to help those in need in the community.

President Serio said: “The Mental Health Board is deeply thankful to have the tremendous support of Supervisor [Andy-John G.] Kalkounos and the Trustees in moving early, swiftly, and decisively in ensuring that mental health services for our community are offered at every level. There was no hesitation on the part of the Township to act according to the wishes of the voters and in the best interests of our community. We are excited to begin this close partnership.”

Palatine Township, home to more than 114,000 residents, is one of the most populous townships in Illinois. The Township offers a broad range of community services and supports more than 30 local social service agencies. It serves the communities of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Barrington, South Barrington, and Schaumburg.