Supervisor Andy-John G. Kalkounos
Plan of Action for Implementing the Palatine Township Community Mental Health Board
On April 22, 2025, Cook County certified the election results of the April 1st Referendum approving the establishment of a Community Mental Health Board in Palatine Township.
Under the law, the Supervisor of the Township—in the role of “Chairman of the governing body”—appoints the members of the Community Mental Health Board with the advice and consent of the Township Board. I must do so within 60 days of the certification. In this case, I have until June 21, 2025, to make the appointments.
The new members of the Township Board will take the Oath of Office on Monday, May 19th. My plan is to make my appointments of the Mental Health Board Members at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 9, 2025.
I will be appointing 7 members of our community with a background in mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse disorders.
I have been giving much thought to those in the Township whom I will ask the Township Board to appoint to the Mental Health Board. My main focus will be to bring people who have served in the community in one way or another onto the Mental Health Board, given that they will have the necessary foundation to hit the ground running, and provide the Board a good basis to begin its work. I believe these individuals will be able to work with one another in a committee-style structure.
While I have already received information from many interested residents, anyone wishing to serve on this inaugural Mental Health Board, or a later incarnation of the Mental Health Board, should submit a cover letter and resume to me. Cover letters demonstrating an interest in the role and establishing qualifications should be sent to my attention at aj@palatinetownship-il.gov. The deadline for submissions of the cover letter and resume is May 27, 2025, at 5 PM CST.
For purposes of planning, qualified applicants may be invited for an in-person interview beginning on Monday, June 2, 2025. Details on the interview will be sent to those selected for an interview shortly after the application deadline.
As of now, the first Mental Health Board meeting will be sometime before July 1st, which is within the required timeframe set by the law. It will be at this meeting that the Board will elect its officers and discuss potential rules governing its operation and function.
I know that I will be interested in the results of the Community Needs Assessment, which will be the first order of business for the Mental Health Board. It is likely that the Needs Assessment will take place this summer. It will be used by the Township to review and evaluate the availability and effectiveness of services and facilities for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. The findings will be used to assist the Mental Health Board in evaluating current initiatives and developing future priorities. Upon receiving the Assessment, the Mental Health Board will have a better understanding on exactly what services and agencies will be funded by the Township. We want to make sure the distribution of funding goes to facilities that reflect the greatest needs of our community.
We are excited to begin this important work and to give meaning to what the voters approved at the beginning of this month.
For questions or more information, please contact me or Administrator Anna Chychula at 847-358-6700.
Sincerely yours,
Andy-John G. Kalkounos
Palatine Township Supervisor