1 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:10,759 Good evening and welcome to the special board meeting of the board of trustees 2 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,759 of Elkrove Township. 3 00:00:12,559 --> 00:00:23,279 » Uh give me one second. So, we are convening tonight for um one issue 4 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:30,240 specifically um and that is to um discuss possible action on resolution 26 5 00:00:27,199 --> 00:00:35,280 uh 2026-03, a resolution of the Elkrove Township Board providing the submission 6 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:39,280 to the voters of the township of uh of the township a binding proposition to 7 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:44,480 authorize an annual tax rate not to exceed. 05% for the purposes of 8 00:00:42,559 --> 00:00:51,719 providing community mental health facilities at the general election to be 9 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,719 held on the 3rd day of November 2026. 10 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:58,800 On Wednesday, August 12th, I advised uh Trustee Wine Coupoop of the objection to 11 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:04,320 the petitions to submit public questions to a referendum in Elkrove Township to 12 00:01:01,359 --> 00:01:08,240 be held on November 3rd, 2026. I explained the process and informed him 13 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:13,280 that he had been selected through a lottery conducted and uh recorded by 14 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:18,400 administrator Manzo and township staff. After we discussed the electoral board 15 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:22,560 process, he asked that I call a special board meeting for the board to consider 16 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:27,280 approving a township resolution to submit a public question to a referendum 17 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:32,079 in Elkrove Township again to be held on uh November 3rd, 2026. 18 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:38,240 The following day, I received an email from trustee Luji uh requesting the 19 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:42,400 same. Uh at that time, I directed uh Miss Manzo to take the required steps 20 00:01:40,479 --> 00:01:47,280 for calling a special board meeting. These steps include, but are not limited 21 00:01:44,479 --> 00:01:51,040 to notification of the board, posting for the public, and contracting our 22 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:54,040 audiovisisual company to record the meeting. 23 00:01:55,439 --> 00:02:03,360 Elkrove Township retained Anel Glink to advise us on the process required to 24 00:02:00,719 --> 00:02:09,840 place a resolution initiated referendum under the Illinois Community Mental 25 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:16,000 Health Act 405 ILCS201 before voters at the November 3rd, 2026 26 00:02:12,879 --> 00:02:20,400 general election. To do so, the township board of trustees must adopt a 27 00:02:17,599 --> 00:02:27,440 resolution authorizing the referendum no later than today, Monday, August 17, 28 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:32,480 2026. And the township m township clerk must certify the referendum question to 29 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:38,000 the election authority no later than Thursday, August 27th. 30 00:02:35,599 --> 00:02:42,640 The act authorizes the township board to pass a resolution placing a binding 31 00:02:40,239 --> 00:02:47,280 referendum question before township voters at a regularly scheduled election 32 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:53,280 to provide funds for community health facilities and services. Under the act, 33 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:58,720 a resolution initiated referendum may authorize an annual tax not to exceed 34 00:02:56,319 --> 00:03:03,760 0.15% upon all taxable property within the 35 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:09,599 township as requested by township officials. The resolution provided for 36 00:03:06,239 --> 00:03:15,120 consideration at the August 17th special meeting of the township board would 37 00:03:11,519 --> 00:03:20,080 authorize a tax of 0.05% which is identical to the petition that 38 00:03:17,519 --> 00:03:24,560 was circulated. If the resolution initiated referendum is approved by the 39 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:29,440 township voters, the township may annually levy a tasks not to exceed the 40 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:34,159 rate set forth in the approved referendum question. Each year after 41 00:03:32,239 --> 00:03:39,040 passage, the township board must appropriate from those funds the sums 42 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:45,680 deemed necessary based on the community health board's budget, annual mental 43 00:03:42,799 --> 00:03:50,319 health report, and local mental health plan to defay the necessary expenses and 44 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:56,480 liabilities of providing community mental health facilities and services. 45 00:03:54,080 --> 00:04:02,879 The act also authorizes a binding referendum to be initiated by petition. 46 00:03:59,439 --> 00:04:07,200 On July 27, 2026, a petition initiated referendum was filed with the township 47 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:12,480 clerk seeking to place a binding referendum question on the November 3rd, 48 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:17,040 2026 general election ballot authorizing the township to levy attacks and provide 49 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:22,960 community health facilities and services under the act. 50 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:28,000 On August 10th, 2026, Neil Dale nearski filed a petition objecting to the 51 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:33,360 referendum petition. The Elkrove uh Elkrove Township Electoral Board 52 00:04:30,479 --> 00:04:38,880 scheduled uh a meeting or scheduled a hearing uh this evening, August 17th, at 53 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:43,919 6 p.m. to consider the objector's petition. The act provides separate 54 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:49,199 procedures for petition initiated re referendums and resolution referendums. 55 00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:54,479 The township board is not required to prove a res a resolution initiating a 56 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:58,880 binding referendum question merely because a petition initiated referendum 57 00:04:56,479 --> 00:05:03,120 has been filed with the township clerk. Instead, the township board may 58 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:07,280 independently decide whether to approve a resolution placing a binding 59 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:12,800 referendum question on the ballot under the act. The objection uh proceedings 60 00:05:10,479 --> 00:05:16,160 related to the referendum petition will continue separately regardless of 61 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:20,479 whether the township board chooses to present a referendum question by 62 00:05:18,479 --> 00:05:24,320 resolution. If the electoral board sustains the 63 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:30,639 objector's petition, the referendum petition question will not appear on the 64 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:35,039 2026 general election ballot. If the electoral board overrules the objector's 65 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:41,199 petition, the referendum petition question may be certified to the 2026 66 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:46,240 general election ballot by township clerk. If the objection to the 67 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:52,000 referendum petition has not been finally resolved by the August 27, 2026 ballot 68 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:56,080 certification deadline, the township clerk may certify the referendum 69 00:05:54,160 --> 00:06:02,320 petition question to the town to the Cook County Clerk with the designation 70 00:05:59,840 --> 00:06:08,319 objection pending while the electoral board proceedings or any resulting 71 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:13,600 judicial review remain pending. Following a final decision of the 72 00:06:09,919 --> 00:06:18,000 electoral board or a reviewing court, the township clerk may file an amended 73 00:06:15,919 --> 00:06:22,479 ballot certification to comply with the decision, including removing the 74 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:26,960 question from certification if the objection is sustained. 75 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:31,600 If the township board of trustees approves a resolution putting a 76 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:36,479 referendum question under the act before township voters, the township clerk must 77 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:41,039 certify the resolution referendum to the Cook County Clerk. The election code 78 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:46,720 allows up to three referendum questions to be put before township voters on the 79 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:51,199 2026 general election ballot. If duplicative referendum questions are 80 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:55,600 certified to the Cook County Clerk, the Cook County Clerk may need to address 81 00:06:53,120 --> 00:07:00,199 any ballot administrative issues presented by the duplicative questions. 82 00:07:01,169 --> 00:07:08,639 [clears throat] Anel Glink, our uh electoral 83 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:13,560 our election law attorney, has uh put together the uh 2026-3 84 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:20,960 um resolution. Supervisor reading that. >> May I interrupt you for a moment? You 85 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:25,199 can. I'm gonna call Yeah, go ahead. >> I was wondering if we want to um call do 86 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:30,319 roll call and pledge of allegiance. >> I did. I did. Thank you. 87 00:07:27,199 --> 00:07:34,319 » Um will the Why don't we stand for the pledge of allegiance and get started 88 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:39,840 that way? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the 89 00:07:37,199 --> 00:07:45,919 United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation 90 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:49,639 under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 91 00:07:49,759 --> 00:07:57,599 » I will the clerk please call the role. >> Trusty Dukes, 92 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:59,919 » Trusty Luji >> here. 93 00:07:58,639 --> 00:08:01,599 » Supervisor Scaletta >> here. 94 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:04,000 » Trusty Stany >> present. Trusty Wine Coupoop 95 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,680 » here. >> Assessor Kerouselli 96 00:08:05,199 --> 00:08:09,039 » present. >> And I'm Clerk Saturn. 97 00:08:08,635 --> 00:08:16,400 [snorts] >> All right. I apologize. So, um the uh uh 98 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,960 as I was going through all of it because there's a lot to read and I'm sure you 99 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:22,160 guys are very bored by it, but you need to know what it is that we're going to 100 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:25,680 be discussing tonight. I needed to start getting through it and I got ahead of my 101 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:30,400 skis on that one. So, apologize for that. Um, 102 00:08:28,479 --> 00:08:33,680 on the public comment, we've had a lot of people that have said that they want 103 00:08:32,159 --> 00:08:36,640 to speak publicly. Is there anyone here that wants to speak on an item that's 104 00:08:35,279 --> 00:08:40,800 not on the agenda, which is the referendum? 105 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:47,600 All right. So, now we're going to move on to me reading the resolution. Please 106 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:51,200 bear with me as it is um dry. A resolution of the Elkrove Township 107 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:55,279 Board providing for the submission to the voters of the township a binding 108 00:08:52,959 --> 00:09:00,720 proposition to authorize an annual tax at a rate not to exceed 0.05% 109 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:04,959 for the purpose of providing community mental health facilities and services at 110 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:10,160 the general election to be held on the 3rd day of November 2026. 111 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:16,959 Whereas Elkrove Township is an Illinois local government created and existing 112 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:20,959 under the Illinois Township Code 60 ILCS 1-1. 113 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:26,000 And whereas section two of the community health mental health act 114 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:31,279 405cs 20/2 grants the township the powers to 115 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:34,720 construct, repair, operate, maintain and regulate community mental health 116 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:39,040 facilities to provide mental health services and to create a local community 117 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:45,200 mental health board in connection here with and whereas section five of the act 118 00:09:42,959 --> 00:09:49,519 authorizes a township to present to its voters the question of whether the 119 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:53,519 township should levy a property tax for the purpose of providing community 120 00:09:50,959 --> 00:09:58,720 mental health facilities and in services including facilities and services for 121 00:09:56,160 --> 00:10:03,519 persons with a developmental disability, mental health disorder, or a substance 122 00:10:01,279 --> 00:10:08,560 abuse disorder. And whereas the township board hereby 123 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:12,080 finds and determines that it's in its best interest of the township to place a 124 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:17,279 question on the ballot asking the voters of Elkrove Township whether such attacks 125 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:21,839 should be authorized. And whereas pursuant to the Illinois election code 126 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:26,000 and the community mental health act, the township board may submit the 127 00:10:23,839 --> 00:10:30,000 proposition approved by this resolution to the voters of the township and the 128 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:36,240 general election to be held on November 3rd, 2026 by timely certifying the 129 00:10:32,959 --> 00:10:39,680 proposition to the county clerk. Now therefore, be it resolved by the 130 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:43,760 township board of trustees of Elgroveve Township, Cook County, Illinois, that 131 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:47,839 section one, incorporation of recital, the foregoing recital are hereby 132 00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:53,120 incorporated into the resolution by reference as if fully set forth herein. 133 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:57,440 Section two, submission to the county clerk. Upon adoption, this resolution 134 00:10:55,920 --> 00:11:01,519 shall be certified and submitted to the Cook count to the clerk of the Cook of 135 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:05,920 Cook County, Illinois by the the township clerk no later than Thursday, 136 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:09,680 August 27, 2026. Section three, submission to voters. The 137 00:11:07,680 --> 00:11:13,200 proposition approved by this resolution shall be submitted to the voters of the 138 00:11:11,680 --> 00:11:19,120 township in accordance with the general election law at the general election to 139 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:23,880 be held on Tuesday the 3rd of November 2026 known as the election 140 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:31,920 section four election notice. The Cook County Clerk of the County Clerk of Cook 141 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:36,640 County, known as the county clerk, shall give notice of the election, including 142 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:41,839 the Spanish translation thereof, if required by law, um, also referred to 143 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:48,000 now as the notice in accordance with the general election law by um, Roman 144 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:52,000 numeral I, publishing the notice once, not more than 60 days nor less than 10 145 00:11:50,399 --> 00:11:56,640 days prior to the date of the election in a local community newspaper, having 146 00:11:54,320 --> 00:12:00,880 general circulation in the township. Roman numeral 2, posting a copy of the 147 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:06,000 notice at least 10 days before the date of the election at the clerk's principal 148 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:10,320 office. Section five, local notice. The township clerk shall post a copy of the 149 00:12:08,639 --> 00:12:15,760 notice at the principal office of the township. Section six, form of notice. 150 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:20,880 The notice shall appear over the name or title of the Cook County Clerk and shall 151 00:12:17,839 --> 00:12:24,880 be substantially in the following form. Notice is hereby given that at the 152 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:29,680 general election to be held on Tuesday the 3rd of November 2026, the following 153 00:12:28,079 --> 00:12:34,160 proposition will be submitted to the voters of Elkrove Township, Cook County, 154 00:12:31,839 --> 00:12:40,639 Illinois. Shall the Elkrove Township levy an annual tax of not to exceed. 05% 155 00:12:38,959 --> 00:12:45,440 for the purpose of providing community mental health facilities and services 156 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:50,639 for the purp for the person with a developmental disability, mental health 157 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:55,120 disorder or a substance substance use disorder. 158 00:12:52,639 --> 00:13:00,880 Uh then there's a yes or no question after that with blanks. The polls at the 159 00:12:58,079 --> 00:13:08,320 set election will be open at 6:00 p. p.m. or 6:00 a.m. and continue to be 160 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:13,920 open until 700 p.m. on that day dated this 161 00:13:09,839 --> 00:13:20,480 17th day of August 2026. Cook County Clerk County Clerk the 162 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:24,320 county of Cook, Illinois. Section seven, form of ballot. The ballot to be used at 163 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:28,880 the election, including the Spanish translation thereof if not if deemed 164 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:34,560 necessary by the county clerk to be required by law shall be substantially 165 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:38,880 uh so shall be in substanti substantiality. No, that's not right. 166 00:13:36,959 --> 00:13:42,880 substantially the following form in accordance with section five of the 167 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:47,839 community mental health act section 18-190 of the property tax code and 168 00:13:45,519 --> 00:13:53,279 applicable elect election law >> with such necessary alterations changes 169 00:13:50,399 --> 00:14:00,160 deletions and insertions as may be required by articles 24A 24B or 24 C of 170 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:07,040 the election code if an electronic mechanical or electron electric voting 171 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:11,199 system is used at the election Then there is the face of the ballot, 172 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:16,560 the official ballot with the proposition as it was on the petition which says 173 00:14:14,639 --> 00:14:22,079 shall outgrove Township loving annual tax of not to exceed 05% for the purpose 174 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:26,399 of providing community mental health facilities and services for the person 175 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:31,600 with a developmental disability, mental health disorder or substance abuse 176 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:37,040 disorder. There's a yes or no option. Um and then under that is uh number one, 177 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:42,959 the total approximate amount of taxes expendable at the most recently extended 178 00:14:39,519 --> 00:14:47,079 limiting rate recently for tax year 2024 is currently 4 bill97,716,000. 179 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:56,399 And if this proposition is approved, the total maximum approximate amount of 180 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:59,399 taxes taxes extendable will be 6 bill521,78. 181 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:05,000 Sorry. 6 bill521,78,49 182 00:15:07,279 --> 00:15:11,600 » millions, not billions. >> All right. Sorry. Give me one second. We 183 00:15:10,639 --> 00:15:15,279 went through this. Four. >> You're in millions, not billions. 184 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:19,040 » All right. Give me one second. >> Billions. 185 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:23,360 » 4,97, $716. >> I went over that and I thought it was 186 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:26,360 all right. 4 million. I apologize. 4,97,716. 187 00:15:27,279 --> 00:15:36,160 And if this proposition is approved, the total maximum approximate amount of 188 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:39,160 taxable taxes extendable will be 6,521,78949. 189 00:15:42,079 --> 00:15:50,160 Number two, for the 2025 levy year, the approximate tax of the additional tax 190 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:53,360 extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a 191 00:15:51,759 --> 00:15:59,120 fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 192 00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:02,320 uh to be $15.15. Um it shows the official ballot, 193 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:06,480 precinct number, polling place, and then there's section 8 severability. If any 194 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:10,880 section, paragraph, clause, or provision of this resolution shall be held to be 195 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:17,040 invalid or enforceable for any reason, the in invalidity invalidity or 196 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:21,440 enforcability of such section, paragraph, clause, or provision shall 197 00:16:19,279 --> 00:16:24,680 not affect the remaining provisions of the resolution. 198 00:16:25,279 --> 00:16:30,959 Section nine is the effective date. The resolution shall be in force and effect 199 00:16:29,199 --> 00:16:37,839 following its passage and approval as required by law. And then it shows if uh 200 00:16:34,959 --> 00:16:42,240 when if and when we take a vote um the yays, the nays, the absence, the 201 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:46,880 approved and the attestment by the clerk. And then following that there's a 202 00:16:44,959 --> 00:16:51,519 certification by the clerk which says that I suen Saturn Township clerk of 203 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:54,800 Elkrove Township County, Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing is 204 00:16:53,199 --> 00:16:59,000 true, correct, and complete copy of the resolution number 2026-03. 205 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:06,160 uh duly adopted and approved by the township board of Elk Grove Township on 206 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:09,039 August 17th, 2026 as the same appears in the official records of the township. I 207 00:17:07,679 --> 00:17:13,919 further certify that a quorum of the township board was present at the 208 00:17:11,439 --> 00:17:16,799 meeting at which said resolution was adopted and that the township board 209 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:19,760 complied with all requirements of the open meetings act in connection with 210 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:25,199 such meeting. And then there's a line for her signature. So I've read you the 211 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:29,760 memorandum from our election law attorney. I've read you the resolution. 212 00:17:27,199 --> 00:17:32,960 I gave you my opening remarks. Um, since Trusty Wine Coupoop requested this 213 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:37,200 resolution, which uses identical terminology to draft the ballot question 214 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:40,400 be considered by the board, I call on him for his remarks. Following his 215 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:44,400 remarks, the board will have a discussion on the proposed resolution. 216 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:48,400 Trusty Wine Coupoop. >> Thank you. Supervisor Scalleta, would 217 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:51,520 you like us to make a motion uh and before we discuss this or shall we 218 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,120 discuss it and then make a motion? I'm always a fan of letting us discuss in 219 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:59,679 case we make any changes because then there's amendments to the motion which 220 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:02,080 then confuses the board and the audience. 221 00:18:00,559 --> 00:18:04,160 » And just to be clear, whoever makes this motion does not need to reread that. 222 00:18:04,037 --> 00:18:06,799 [laughter] >> Correct. 223 00:18:05,679 --> 00:18:09,919 I would say that the >> need to reread it 224 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:13,440 » that since we are going to have a discussion about it, I thought it was 225 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:18,360 best that we read it aloud. Um but then it would just be concur with resolution 226 00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,360 2026-3. 227 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:25,840 » Thank you. as a member of the electoral board um because I won the lottery um I 228 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:29,440 have yet to form a full opinion about this. We'll be briefed next week um but 229 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:33,440 I have been moved by the number of signatures and the organizing done as 230 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:37,360 well as the attendance here tonight indicating that it's really important 231 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:41,760 that the voters in Elkrove Township get to make a decision on this uh directly 232 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:46,480 and that they should be presented with that question and that anybody's opposed 233 00:18:43,360 --> 00:18:51,440 to the question uh should be uh encouraged to campaign against it. Um 234 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:55,039 because that's how democracy works. Um this is what democracy looks like. All 235 00:18:53,679 --> 00:18:59,760 of this tonight. So if you were here at six o'clock, that was democracy 2. Uh 236 00:18:57,679 --> 00:19:03,520 next week, if you're so fortunate uh to have your Thursday evening open, you 237 00:19:01,360 --> 00:19:07,919 wish to come back, democracy looks like that, too. Um all of this is what it 238 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:12,640 looks like and we're going to work it through. And ultimately where this idea 239 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:17,760 comes from about democracy is that the people who are governed get to do the 240 00:19:14,559 --> 00:19:22,400 governing. So, if we have if we as a board set up a system where uh this 241 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:26,640 question is on the November 3rd ballot, then I think we've done our due 242 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:32,720 diligence and our work uh to support the community in uh giving it the 243 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:38,000 opportunity to weigh in on this. Uh I was moved to ask for this special 244 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:43,039 meeting because uh I recognize that it's a lot of work to knock on doors. Um all 245 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:47,440 of us up here have done that. And if you have done that and you've 246 00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:52,799 asked people, are you willing to have a question on the ballot about raising 247 00:19:49,360 --> 00:19:57,360 your taxes? And you got 895 people to sign on and say yes, then there's a 248 00:19:55,600 --> 00:20:02,400 substantial number of people that are interested in at least weighing in. Um, 249 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:08,960 so I was moved by that and I will be in favor of this motion this evening. Um, 250 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:13,120 and I want to give uh credit to people who also chose the other path. So 251 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:19,840 there's these two paths of board initiated or petition initiated. Uh it's 252 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:25,280 my hope that the petition initiated um path will play itself out uh following 253 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:29,200 the statute entirely and that um regardless that the um voters in Elkrove 254 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:34,880 Township get to weigh in on this particular uh topic uh in direct manner 255 00:20:33,039 --> 00:20:40,400 if they so choose to show up on November 3rd. and my uh my esteemed colleague, 256 00:20:38,559 --> 00:20:45,039 the assessor here, I'm sure, would stress to everybody the importance of 257 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:49,120 voting and that if you have complaints and concerns about your taxes or your 258 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:52,640 services, you have an opportunity to participate. 259 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:56,240 So, that's all I think that the board is giving tonight is an opportunity to 260 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:59,840 participate and I'm done for now. 261 00:20:58,159 --> 00:21:04,000 » Thank you. >> Great, Trusty Lai. 262 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:08,240 » Thank you. uh echoing my esteemed trustee as well. You know, as US history 263 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:12,240 teacher, I have a deep appreciation for the power of the ballot and the 264 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:16,640 fundamental idea that our residents should have a voice in the decisions 265 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:21,600 that affect their community. This is a relatively new idea in American history 266 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:25,280 dating back to the early 20th century. Now, I certainly recognize that an 267 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:29,200 objection has been filed regarding the petition submitted for this proposal, 268 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:33,520 and I respect that process that is playing out currently. But tonight, we 269 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:38,080 have an opportunity as a township board to ensure that regardless of the outcome 270 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:42,720 of that objection, our residents still have the opportunity to make their 271 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:47,280 voices heard. Our vote tonight is not a vote to decide this question for them. 272 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:53,200 It is a vote to allow the residents of Elkrove Township to decide that question 273 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:57,280 for themselves. Mental health services have a real impact on individuals and 274 00:21:55,440 --> 00:22:02,720 families throughout our community. and whether this proposal ultimately passes 275 00:21:59,679 --> 00:22:06,799 or fails should be determined by the voters. I believe in giving our 276 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:10,640 residents that choice and I believe their voices deserve to be heard. For 277 00:22:08,799 --> 00:22:15,159 those reasons, I too will be voting yes to place this question on the ballot. 278 00:22:16,870 --> 00:22:20,720 [laughter] >> Yep. 279 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:23,919 » All right. Stanak 280 00:22:21,679 --> 00:22:29,520 » as most of you or some of you know I come uh with experience in the field of 281 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:36,159 social services uh going on almost a decade uh working with uh used to work 282 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:41,200 for nonprofits in the area in Manrospect boots on the ground every single day. I 283 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:46,320 still to this day I run a community organization that serves residents that 284 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:51,600 come through that door. We get phone calls. We get emails. 285 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:56,880 People have challenges with food insecurity. People have challenges with 286 00:22:54,240 --> 00:23:01,440 housing insecurity. All of them have one thing in common. 287 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:07,200 All of them to some degree have mental health challenges, know someone who have 288 00:23:04,159 --> 00:23:13,840 mental health challenges or lost someone lost their lod because help came too 289 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:21,840 late. When I got elected, I felt obligated 290 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:26,080 to bring the help that is needed especially in this area for mental 291 00:23:23,679 --> 00:23:33,520 health services as elected official and I continue and I plan on continue doing 292 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:39,799 this moving forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. 293 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:39,799 So, um, 294 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:46,080 you know, nearly every program and service that is provided by Elgroveve 295 00:23:43,679 --> 00:23:50,240 Township is tied to mental health. Um, and we take that responsib 296 00:23:47,679 --> 00:23:54,640 responsibility seriously, the board, the staff. 297 00:23:51,919 --> 00:24:01,280 And I when when I met with the petitioner of 298 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:06,960 uh of the referendum um and I explained all of the things 299 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:10,640 that the township does um she wasn't aware of all of them. And so I want to 300 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:15,760 just take this opportunity to kind of educate everyone while we're here 301 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:20,799 because the township is doing the work and we're spending the money. So let me 302 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:24,720 tell you a little bit about it. Elkrove Township received 303 00:24:23,120 --> 00:24:30,480 $710,000 in grant requests um this past year and 304 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:36,000 the mental health and wellness committee recommended funding $640,000 305 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:40,880 to 29 independent uh agency contracts. The board approved 306 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:46,400 the $640,000 resulting in just over 90% 307 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:52,559 of all requests being funded. The board also approved $500,000 for adult and 308 00:24:49,279 --> 00:24:57,279 family counseling and $300,000 for youth services. 309 00:24:54,720 --> 00:25:02,080 All total, the Elkrove bud Elkrove Township budgeted $1.44 million 310 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:07,039 specifically designated for mental health and wellness. 311 00:25:04,799 --> 00:25:12,159 Wheeling Township, which now has a 708 board, budgeted $1.5 million for this 312 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:16,720 fiscal year. And actually, I have these for the for the board if you could p 313 00:25:18,559 --> 00:25:27,440 So those down that way those down you can take one of those as 314 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:31,880 well. So that that way I gave you two. So, if you want to read, 315 00:25:31,919 --> 00:25:40,240 » so Wheeling Township budgeted uh budget is $1.5 million for this fiscal year for 316 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:46,559 their 708 mental health board, funding a total of 22 independent agencies, 317 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:53,279 including a 15% uh administrative costs, not to mention a $275,000 line item for 318 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:58,159 other projects. Elgroveve Township funds 29 independent agencies, has its own 319 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:03,679 adult and family counseling department with four full-time and one part-time 320 00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:08,799 therapist who conducted 3,000 sessions last fiscal year. Outgrove Tim Township 321 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:14,400 has a youth services to provide uh department providing programs in 322 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:18,960 district 57 and 59 in addition to the on-site services and programs provided 323 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:25,120 at the township. We're doing more with less. So, this board and this township 324 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:31,279 believes in supporting mental health and we're doing it. I'm not sure. 325 00:26:29,703 --> 00:26:37,279 [applause] I agree with you. I don't know why we 326 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:45,760 need a referendum that will create a new tax that could generate another $2.4 327 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:51,200 million if you tax it at the 0.05% which is in the entire township levy. 328 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:57,760 We provide all of these with our existing levy. So creating a new tax to 329 00:26:55,600 --> 00:27:05,200 create a new board doesn't seem like the best route for us. 330 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:12,080 This board had a strategic plan that was that we all went through as as a board 331 00:27:07,279 --> 00:27:17,760 together that we all signed off on and our priority was to evaluate and monitor 332 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:22,240 the outcomes of the 708 board referendum. 333 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:28,159 And now we're putting the referendum on the ballot. 334 00:27:24,799 --> 00:27:33,840 When I started talking earlier about the I was using billions instead of 335 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:38,559 millions, that's because I was reviewing um some EAV data that I'm going to share 336 00:27:36,559 --> 00:27:43,120 with you just so that we're all on the same page because remember this is tied 337 00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:49,200 to the EAV. Okay, the EAV is the equalized uh 338 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:55,120 assessed value and since 2016 339 00:27:52,240 --> 00:28:01,840 it has increased by 64%. So if the EAV goes up, so will that 340 00:27:58,159 --> 00:28:11,799 amount that can be levied um to the homeowners. 341 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:11,799 The EAV as of 2025 is 5 billion766,854 342 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:20,360 uh,656 right 5 bill766,854,656. 343 00:28:21,919 --> 00:28:30,240 It's a lot of money which our EAV and all I'm saying is that if we're doing it 344 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:35,360 why are we creating another level? Why are we creating more bureaucracy? We're 345 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:41,360 doing more than other people are doing with it. We're taking care of people. I 346 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:46,559 mean, if we funded 90% of the grant requests that we have, what is it that 347 00:28:44,159 --> 00:28:51,919 we're not doing? And that's the question I have for the board and if the uh I 348 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:55,200 when you look at all of the other referendums because, you know, like 349 00:28:53,840 --> 00:29:00,720 everybody else that's up here on the board, we all are involved and are out 350 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:05,440 there circulating uh uh petitions for signatures. the district 57 people that, 351 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:10,640 you know, if their house is worth $400,000, their taxes went up $715. 352 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:14,640 That's if it's only $400,000. There's people out there with homes that are 353 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:19,200 worth more. And we have people that are coming to the township and they're 354 00:29:16,240 --> 00:29:24,080 crying because their taxes are so high. >> I'm not sure why you don't trust this 355 00:29:21,039 --> 00:29:28,880 board to be able to manage the mental health and wellness of the township um 356 00:29:26,399 --> 00:29:32,880 since we've been doing it so far. And so, you know, I don't want to belver 357 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:38,640 the the the point. I think that everybody understands that when you look 358 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:44,640 at what we're doing with uh with the money that has been allocated to us by 359 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:50,000 the taxpayers through our tax levy that we are really doing it. We're walking 360 00:29:46,799 --> 00:29:54,720 the walk. We're talking the talk. Um and I would now open it up to public 361 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:59,440 comments. And the first person that I'm going to call on is Lori Gennawi. allow 362 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:02,480 hold on one second. Okay, >> I I'll open it back up to the board. I 363 00:30:01,039 --> 00:30:04,480 apologize. >> Lj, 364 00:30:03,039 --> 00:30:09,760 » thank you so much. Uh, and I do appreciate the numbers and facts. Uh, 365 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:14,880 Supervisor Scalleta, uh, we are doing more with less, but that should never be 366 00:30:13,039 --> 00:30:22,000 good enough, particularly when it comes to our mental health. [applause] 367 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:26,960 We had last year $710,000 that were requested and we were able to 368 00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:30,720 grant $620,000. That's $90,000 that we were not able to grant to places that 369 00:30:28,799 --> 00:30:37,279 deal with domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental health of teenagers. $6 a 370 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:40,720 month for a $400,000 home. Let me do some other math. A lot of these mental 371 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:43,840 people that are suffering from either mental health or other disabilities are 372 00:30:42,559 --> 00:30:50,399 going to hospitals, they're going to ERS. That increases our overall rate. If 373 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:54,960 we are able for $6 a month to fully fund these programs, double triple than how 374 00:30:52,799 --> 00:30:59,679 we are, overall costs in our community are going down. So yes, we are doing a 375 00:30:58,159 --> 00:31:04,480 lot, but we can be doing more, particularly when it comes to the 376 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:10,240 residents that are felt that need our help more than ever. We are doing it, 377 00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:17,200 but we can and we should be doing more. $6 a month for a $400,000 home. I will 378 00:31:14,559 --> 00:31:23,320 gladly write that check every day of the week to help my neighbors more than we 379 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:23,320 are currently right now. 380 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:30,640 » Supervisor Stallet, Trusty Wine Coupoop. Thank you. I 381 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:36,000 appreciate everybody's passion for the mental health board issue on both sides. 382 00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:38,720 I want to remind um my fellow trustees and the supervisor that we're not 383 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:43,600 debating the merits of the mental health board tonight or we shouldn't be. We're 384 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:47,039 talking about We're discussing whether or not the 385 00:31:45,519 --> 00:31:52,799 residents of Elkrove, the voters of Elkrove Township should decide whether 386 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:57,679 or not the board's uh efforts with the money we have is sufficient or not. And 387 00:31:55,840 --> 00:32:02,000 if they decide it's not sufficient, then they're going to be electing to raise 388 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:05,919 their own taxes. And then they're going to be entrusting us to faithfully follow 389 00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:10,159 the law to implement a mental health board. And if we're going to talk about 390 00:32:08,399 --> 00:32:14,080 the facts of this process, the mental health board doesn't just simply tax at 391 00:32:12,399 --> 00:32:19,440 the 05 level, it does an assessment and it 392 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:24,559 determines what the unmet need is in Elkrove Township and then it makes a 393 00:32:21,919 --> 00:32:28,880 recommendation and a request for the level of taxes required to fund that 394 00:32:26,559 --> 00:32:32,399 unmet need. So the we're not voting tonight on whether or not we should 395 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:35,840 raise people's taxes. That's not a vote that we're making tonight. We're not 396 00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:39,519 voting tonight on whether or not the township does a good job. I believe the 397 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:43,039 previous township board as well as this one has done a good job with mental 398 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:47,120 health with the resources available. There is unmet need. It's up to the 399 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:51,360 residents. I would like it to be up to the residents and voters of Elkrove 400 00:32:48,799 --> 00:32:55,039 Township to decide whether the unmet need is substantial and if it's 401 00:32:53,200 --> 00:33:00,000 substantial enough to raise their own taxes. That's the opportunity I 402 00:32:57,467 --> 00:33:04,240 [applause] want to give. So, if it if it pleases my fellow board members, I'd 403 00:33:02,559 --> 00:33:08,080 really love for us to not debate the merits of the mental health board 404 00:33:05,679 --> 00:33:12,320 referendum tonight, of the mental health board itself tonight, but rather whether 405 00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:17,440 or not the voters should decide, which is what the resolution asks. So, if we 406 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:21,279 could stick to that public comment, you all do what you're going to do. But 407 00:33:19,679 --> 00:33:25,440 amongst us, I'd really like it if we could stick to whether or not we think 408 00:33:22,559 --> 00:33:31,440 it's okay, whether or not we trust the voters to make this decision. and the 409 00:33:28,320 --> 00:33:36,640 the points that both uh trustee Luji made and uh board president Scalleta 410 00:33:33,840 --> 00:33:41,760 made about the pros and cons to whether or not those taxes should go up. Those 411 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:46,000 are great things for us to be discussing out in the community uh in the 412 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:50,039 subsequent uh 8 weeks or 12 weeks or whatever it is before the the election. 413 00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:56,159 » So what and and I'm >> Thank you. 414 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:59,919 » and I appreciate the comments. I agree with you on most of it, but I also agree 415 00:33:57,840 --> 00:34:02,640 on what is it that we're not doing and that's what the board should be 416 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:06,960 discussing. What is it? >> If you would like, if you would like, I 417 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:10,000 can further discuss this point. However, I think it's in the best interest. We do 418 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:14,800 have another board meeting next Monday night. We can discuss 419 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:18,480 what we are and are not doing. I appreciate your reference to the 420 00:34:16,079 --> 00:34:23,760 strategic plan. I think the strategic plan is ultimately uh approved and 421 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:28,159 vetoed by the voters and the voters get to say. We often talk about how township 422 00:34:26,159 --> 00:34:33,440 is the closest form of government to the people. This is our opportunity as the 423 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:39,000 township board to allow the people to make a decision. 424 00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:39,000 I 425 00:34:39,119 --> 00:34:49,520 I have a very difficult time as somebody who votes in every election, 426 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:54,560 very difficult time not trusting my neighbors and and fellow voters to make 427 00:34:52,159 --> 00:34:59,359 these decisions. I don't feel like I'm al I am alone empowered to make those 428 00:34:56,879 --> 00:35:05,440 decisions. I feel like they've empowered me to represent their their views and 429 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:10,160 you know that we're not doing a lot of legislating up here. This is our third 430 00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:14,480 potential resolution of the year. So you know that we're not an activist board by 431 00:35:12,240 --> 00:35:18,000 any means. This is just providing a pathway. If we're not in favor of 432 00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:20,800 trusting the voters, then vote no. And if we're in favor of trusting the 433 00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:25,554 voters, then we'll vote yes. It's not hard. 434 00:35:23,534 --> 00:35:25,554 » [applause] 435 00:35:27,119 --> 00:35:32,640 » All right. If there's no Oh, Trusty uh Steinak, 436 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:36,800 » Supervisor Scalleta, you ask a question, what is that we doing or not doing when 437 00:35:34,720 --> 00:35:41,680 it comes to mental health services? On two different occasions. Um the last 438 00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:46,800 couple months, I asked the question, what type of support the mental health 439 00:35:43,280 --> 00:35:52,560 department needs? And the answer both time times was we need to hire more. The 440 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:58,260 second answer was we might run out of space when we do get more therapists. 441 00:35:55,200 --> 00:36:02,960 With more money, we can do more. You [snorts] also ask why? Why is it that we 442 00:36:00,720 --> 00:36:08,880 need it? The referendum itself is about giving residents the choice and not 443 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:13,119 assuming that everyone has that opinion, the same opinion. And this is why we're 444 00:36:10,720 --> 00:36:17,800 doing it. We talking about I know we we went through numbers. $161 445 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:25,040 per household per house. that is worth $100,000. 446 00:36:22,560 --> 00:36:30,560 I was not the best with math when I was in high school, but it's $64 a year on a 447 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:35,760 house that is worth $400,000. Compare this to phone calls to the 448 00:36:33,599 --> 00:36:41,119 emergency room, phone calls that are being placed to uh the police 449 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:46,920 department, 911. I can guarantee you that we all pay for it one way or 450 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:46,920 another. 451 00:36:48,079 --> 00:36:55,680 Well, and and and I'll leave with this comment and we can go into um into 452 00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:59,520 public comments is that this year all all of the people that are running for 453 00:36:57,200 --> 00:37:03,839 election are running on affordability and affordability comes down to taxes. 454 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:09,760 And while there is a there are affordable homes in our area, what's not 455 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:15,680 affordable are the taxes. When taxes are as much as your mortgage, there's a 456 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:20,240 problem. And all I'm saying is that I I think that there's something to be 457 00:37:17,119 --> 00:37:25,040 discussed here. And apparently I I think that because of the objection, um the 458 00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:29,040 board has decided that they just want to put the referendum on there and leave it 459 00:37:26,560 --> 00:37:32,240 up to the voters, which is fine, but I want to make sure that we at least 460 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:39,040 address that this township is doing something. And you know, if if there was 461 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:42,240 anybody that was unhappy with the um 90% funding and wanted to see it be 100% 462 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:47,760 that could have be taken care of at the budget, but it wasn't. Um and so I'm 463 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:53,520 going to stop talking and let some other people talk from the audience. And I'm 464 00:37:49,599 --> 00:37:57,880 opening it up. Uh first person on the um on the signup sheet is Lori Gennawi. 465 00:38:02,720 --> 00:38:09,760 Lori, if you give give us your address and township for the record. 466 00:38:05,920 --> 00:38:16,160 » Sure. My name is Lori Grayi. Address 227 South Vale, Arlington Heights. I'm in 467 00:38:11,760 --> 00:38:20,480 Wheeling Township. Um, I'm also on the mental health board for Wheeling 468 00:38:17,520 --> 00:38:23,680 Township. I'm speaking tonight representing myself, not the mental 469 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:29,760 health board. And let me make that really clear. Uh, part of what I did was 470 00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:33,680 to a big part of what I did was to help create the mental health board in 471 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:39,760 Wheeling Township. I worked with Mike Murray to create that advocate for 708 472 00:38:36,079 --> 00:38:45,520 group and uh we were so thrilled when it passed in Wheeling Township and as many 473 00:38:42,560 --> 00:38:50,720 of you know where people really got involved was when the township for 474 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:57,119 various reasons wouldn't fund the mental health board. So yes, people get upset 475 00:38:54,000 --> 00:39:01,599 about t higher taxes, but the people that attended the meetings and that were 476 00:38:58,960 --> 00:39:05,760 most vocal were the ones that wanted the mental health board. They were the ones 477 00:39:03,599 --> 00:39:10,560 that were there speaking up and they were the ones that were fighting for it 478 00:39:07,440 --> 00:39:16,079 to be funded. So this is an important issue. That's my only point to a lot of 479 00:39:12,960 --> 00:39:20,800 people and I really appreciate you considering putting this on the ballot 480 00:39:17,920 --> 00:39:24,880 so that everyone does have that choice that they get to decide if this is 481 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:29,520 important to them because I've collected a lot of signatures for this. I've 482 00:39:26,480 --> 00:39:34,880 spoken to a lot of people and I can tell you that when you talk to people it 483 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:39,200 covers those three tiers. Mental health, substance use, intellectual and 484 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:45,440 developmental disabilities. It is hard to find someone who isn't personally 485 00:39:42,320 --> 00:39:48,640 affected knows or knows someone who is whether it's in their family or it's a 486 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:53,599 neighbor. It's someone in their community and there is overwhelming 487 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:57,760 community support which if you put this on the ballot I'm I'm hopeful that you 488 00:39:55,839 --> 00:40:01,720 will find out. So, thank you for your time. 489 00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:01,720 » Thank you. 490 00:40:03,359 --> 00:40:07,480 » Next up, Jamie Clark. 491 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:16,400 address in township for the record, please. 492 00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:21,359 » Um, my address is 204 North School Street. I'm in Mount Prospect and I am 493 00:40:19,359 --> 00:40:27,200 in Wheeling Township. Um, I am a Wheeling Township mental health board 494 00:40:23,040 --> 00:40:32,079 member. Um, I'm also a 30-year uh, professional clinical person who works 495 00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:36,400 with adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems. 496 00:40:34,240 --> 00:40:43,760 Um I'm a business owner and that is my primary focus. Um I am here just as a 497 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:49,520 person. I'm not speaking for anyone. Um I can tell you that in the years that 498 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:53,440 I've worked started in 1997 working with severe autism 499 00:40:51,440 --> 00:41:00,000 um there's always a need whether it's a a 500 00:40:57,119 --> 00:41:05,040 10% gap but how many people are affected in that 10% gap? Okay. Is it your 501 00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:09,440 cousin's kid? Would that make it feel better? 502 00:41:06,640 --> 00:41:15,200 Is it an immigrant kid? Would that make it feel better? Is it the person down 503 00:41:12,079 --> 00:41:19,680 the road whose parents are alcoholics and need a tremendous amount of help and 504 00:41:18,079 --> 00:41:26,240 they have a child with developmental disabilities and there's still a huge 505 00:41:23,280 --> 00:41:30,000 need. So, this isn't something 506 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:35,440 this isn't something that's ever going to be like a a Disney World idealistic 507 00:41:33,599 --> 00:41:41,040 situation, right? We're always going to have a big area of need. But the areas 508 00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:46,400 that the areas that a mental health board can fund are situations of life 509 00:41:43,760 --> 00:41:50,319 and death. There's situations of you're barely making it and you have to get 510 00:41:48,640 --> 00:41:55,280 out, you have to have a child placed out of the state for services because we 511 00:41:53,040 --> 00:42:00,960 can't do anything about it. So these are things that are destructive [snorts] and 512 00:41:57,200 --> 00:42:04,480 detrimental to families when a child has severe mental health problems. It 513 00:42:02,560 --> 00:42:08,480 doesn't just affect the people down the street that we don't 514 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:16,720 really talk to. It can affect any one of us. And I think what? Six bucks a month. 515 00:42:13,839 --> 00:42:22,800 That's cheaper than a Starbucks. So yeah. And I pay a ton of taxes, too. 516 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:28,160 I'm D57. Like, I get it. I'm D214. I get it. Okay. The schools cost a lot 517 00:42:26,240 --> 00:42:32,800 of money. That was a big hit. I was a single mom for 10 years. That's a big 518 00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:37,280 hit. However, my kid attends those schools. My nieces attend those schools. 519 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:42,240 And my neighbors kids attend those schools. and my retired grandparents, 520 00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:46,319 their kids attended the schools and when they sell their house, some other young 521 00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:50,160 family is going to come there and those kids are going to go to those schools. I 522 00:42:47,920 --> 00:42:55,119 want those schools to be good. I want them to be fantastic. The agencies that 523 00:42:53,040 --> 00:42:58,640 these can that these mental health boards can fund go into schools right 524 00:42:57,119 --> 00:43:05,119 now because our schools don't even have enough funding to counsel kids. 525 00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:09,599 These are agencies that can do an enormous amount of health help in our 526 00:43:07,599 --> 00:43:13,760 communities. So in if there's an area that you're like, we don't think that 527 00:43:11,280 --> 00:43:17,839 this is could we applied, it applies everywhere. So I would very much 528 00:43:16,319 --> 00:43:21,760 encourage you continue. Let the people of this township decide what they want 529 00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:24,079 to do with their money. It seems like they they think it's a good idea. 530 00:43:23,359 --> 00:43:26,930 » Wrap it out. >> Thank you for your time. 531 00:43:25,119 --> 00:43:28,950 » Thank you. [applause] 532 00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:35,079 Jill Hoff >> buying services. 533 00:43:37,119 --> 00:43:42,480 » Hi Jill. Address in township for the record. 534 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:47,119 » Jill Hoff 21 South George Elkrove Township. 535 00:43:44,960 --> 00:43:55,280 I agree with the statement that this is not about whether or not the mental 536 00:43:50,880 --> 00:44:01,040 health board referendum is a good idea. I'm concerned because when we talk about 537 00:43:58,000 --> 00:44:06,400 stewardship of our township resources, we now have we had the hearing at 6, we 538 00:44:04,400 --> 00:44:13,839 have the meeting at 7, and we have two additional meetings all 539 00:44:09,440 --> 00:44:18,079 all scheduled to answer one question. An opponent came up with an alternative 540 00:44:16,480 --> 00:44:23,599 fact. It seems to me like a pretty easy 541 00:44:20,400 --> 00:44:31,280 question to answer. Is he right or is he wrong? We don't need to spend 542 00:44:27,359 --> 00:44:36,720 on attorneys, on AV, on our whole board meeting five times for the same 543 00:44:33,359 --> 00:44:41,920 question. The petitions have been done. The questions have been asked and 544 00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:47,359 answered and let the voters decide. I don't see a we 545 00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:53,440 never even heard really what the objection was from the objector at the 546 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:58,960 hearing that was designed to figure that out. So that is my objection to this 547 00:44:56,960 --> 00:45:04,800 whole discussion that we need five meetings to decide one question and to 548 00:45:02,000 --> 00:45:11,599 me it's a waste of township resources that could always be better spent on the 549 00:45:08,800 --> 00:45:16,560 residents of the township. So I am in full agreement that the referendum 550 00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:21,920 should go forward as petitions have been collected from almost a thousand 551 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:28,000 residents and as the rules as they were defined were followed correctly similar 552 00:45:25,359 --> 00:45:34,656 to many of our surrounding communities. So this seems like a very very clear 553 00:45:30,720 --> 00:45:36,676 question. Let the voters decide. [applause] 554 00:45:38,160 --> 00:45:42,160 » Thank you Miss Hoff. Next up, uh, Rice Reed. 555 00:45:41,599 --> 00:45:46,501 » Reys. >> Reys. Sorry, Ree. 556 00:45:43,280 --> 00:45:46,501 » No worries. [laughter] 557 00:46:01,599 --> 00:46:09,040 » Dressing Township for the record. >> Yes. Reese Reed, 175 Lancaster Lane, 558 00:46:05,920 --> 00:46:15,760 Displayplains, Outgrowth Township. Uh, I appreciate the need for improving our 559 00:46:12,800 --> 00:46:21,280 mental health treatment in our communities. I appreciate the good work 560 00:46:18,720 --> 00:46:26,400 you do. I appreciate the effort that you're in put through to get these 561 00:46:23,440 --> 00:46:30,560 hundreds of petitions through. Uh, I would like if we're going to spend an 562 00:46:28,319 --> 00:46:35,599 extra couple hundred dollars, you know, millions of dollars for the entire 563 00:46:32,319 --> 00:46:40,640 township on some unspecified extra dollars to have at least know what 564 00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:48,480 those dollars are for. But that's not why I'm up here. The petition rules, the 565 00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:56,240 laws in Illinois are very strict and very clear. To get a petition in the 566 00:46:52,480 --> 00:47:01,440 general election, you need 8% of the amount of votes that the governor got in 567 00:46:58,720 --> 00:47:06,560 the prior election. You cannot use the municipal elections. That means it's 568 00:47:04,880 --> 00:47:10,720 wonderful. You got almost a thousand petitions, 569 00:47:07,839 --> 00:47:14,480 » but you need almost 3,000 petitions to be valid. That's what the objection is. 570 00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:19,599 » This Excuse me, sir. This is not the hearing for that comment. 571 00:47:17,200 --> 00:47:25,760 » It is. This the objection is that there are not sufficient signatures on the 572 00:47:22,000 --> 00:47:33,440 petition to bring this question to the ballot on this election. So I would ask 573 00:47:29,839 --> 00:47:39,760 this board to follow Illinois law and not allow a question with insufficient 574 00:47:37,200 --> 00:47:43,960 signatures to be placed on the ballot. Thank you. 575 00:47:40,319 --> 00:47:43,960 » Okay. Thank you. 576 00:47:46,400 --> 00:47:50,760 Ne next next up is Fe Costa. 577 00:47:51,200 --> 00:47:56,240 How many are on this? >> Hello again. 578 00:47:53,680 --> 00:48:02,160 » Hi again. Uh first of all, I bet you we could find a township in Illinois that 579 00:47:59,200 --> 00:48:06,000 has fewer people than the number they're shooting for uh residing in that 580 00:48:04,240 --> 00:48:09,520 township. So, I think that would be a pretty ridiculous interpretation of the 581 00:48:07,359 --> 00:48:14,400 law, but that is not why I came up here. Um the reason I came up here is to thank 582 00:48:11,280 --> 00:48:18,000 you all for your comments earlier. Um, and let me get my thoughts back together 583 00:48:16,240 --> 00:48:21,520 on what else I wanted to say. >> Start out with your address. 584 00:48:19,280 --> 00:48:24,640 » Oh, sorry. I live in Mont Prospect. Uh, and I live in Elgrove Township. 585 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:31,119 » Thank you. >> Um, so um, what services are we lacking 586 00:48:29,680 --> 00:48:34,880 um, in Elgrove Township? This is a pretty minor example, but you know, I 587 00:48:32,800 --> 00:48:38,319 when I take my kids to the school um, you know, they have these great resource 588 00:48:36,079 --> 00:48:41,839 fairs and they show us what's available um, from Elrove Township. And there was 589 00:48:40,160 --> 00:48:45,760 a flyer with some services that would have been great for my daughter. Some, 590 00:48:44,319 --> 00:48:49,680 you know, groups for the kids to get together. Um, but for whatever, for one 591 00:48:48,400 --> 00:48:54,800 reason or another, they weren't really accessible to us. Um, 592 00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:59,200 uh, so that's one, you know, one thing. Um, and 593 00:48:57,040 --> 00:49:03,440 my family is pretty privileged, so, you know, that's all right. Um, you know, we 594 00:49:01,280 --> 00:49:08,640 can find these resources in other ways from private means. We have private 595 00:49:04,880 --> 00:49:12,240 insurance. Um, but if we can't access those those groups for kids, I'm sure 596 00:49:10,559 --> 00:49:16,720 there are other people who also cannot access them. Um, and what was the other 597 00:49:15,359 --> 00:49:20,880 question? I'm forgetting now. [laughter] I'm sorry. Um, 598 00:49:20,079 --> 00:49:22,800 » ah, shoot. >> Take your time. You got two more 599 00:49:22,079 --> 00:49:26,319 minutes. >> Okay, [laughter] 600 00:49:23,839 --> 00:49:29,319 » we're not going anywhere. [gasps] Um 601 00:49:38,974 --> 00:49:40,994 [laughter] 602 00:49:41,119 --> 00:49:50,400 yeah, thank you. Um this should this should go to a vote. Um, a lot of people 603 00:49:48,079 --> 00:49:55,200 did a lot of work um to collect all these signatures and I 604 00:49:53,520 --> 00:50:01,920 wanted to amplify the voices of the folks who spoke at the last meeting um 605 00:49:59,040 --> 00:50:08,880 who um really did all that work, especially the gentleman who uh spoke 606 00:50:04,880 --> 00:50:15,440 last who said that um these mental health resources go to folks who need 607 00:50:11,760 --> 00:50:19,680 them um who have these illnesses, but it's not just the people who have the 608 00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:23,359 illnesses because it impacts the people's families and it impacts their 609 00:50:21,599 --> 00:50:28,760 neighbors. Um so thank you very much. 610 00:50:25,599 --> 00:50:28,760 » Thank you. 611 00:50:29,359 --> 00:50:33,079 » Next up, Ed Leinsky. 612 00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:44,800 » Johnson Township for the record. >> Sure thing. Ed Leinsky. I live at 905 613 00:50:42,480 --> 00:50:49,680 Wilson Drive in Dusk Plains in Elkrove Township. If the trustees sitting before 614 00:50:47,520 --> 00:50:53,520 me on the dis can get well over 4,800 votes last consolidated election, yet 615 00:50:51,839 --> 00:50:58,640 the referendum before us was unable to secure 3,200 legitimate signatures for a 616 00:50:56,400 --> 00:51:01,920 popular referendum. It begs the question, by holding a special session 617 00:51:00,480 --> 00:51:06,559 to print a question on the ballot anyway, are you really carrying out the 618 00:51:03,920 --> 00:51:11,359 will of your constituents? Approximately 36 pages, nearly onethird of those 619 00:51:09,359 --> 00:51:15,839 circulated for the referendum were done so by an individual from outside of our 620 00:51:13,200 --> 00:51:19,040 own township. If this referendum is so popular amongst the constituents of 621 00:51:17,040 --> 00:51:23,760 Elgrove Township, why did it take the work of several circulators from outside 622 00:51:21,920 --> 00:51:27,599 of our district to still fall short of the minimum? It is hard to believe that 623 00:51:26,000 --> 00:51:31,680 the submitted referendum petition organically man manifested from the 624 00:51:29,440 --> 00:51:35,920 citizens of our township. Otherwise, the minimum signatures required should have 625 00:51:33,440 --> 00:51:39,760 been easily met. I believe the fiduciary responsibility a trustee has is not only 626 00:51:38,000 --> 00:51:45,280 to the township, the corporate ent entity, but even more so a fiduciary of 627 00:51:42,400 --> 00:51:49,359 the people who elected you. In 2024, George Busy received the supervisor of 628 00:51:47,119 --> 00:51:53,040 the year award for social services. Since then, the township has approved 629 00:51:51,119 --> 00:51:58,240 spending to supplement two additional bilingual staff. Why is it then that the 630 00:51:55,839 --> 00:52:03,040 existing services are not enough? What is the datim, the baseline? How high is 631 00:52:00,720 --> 00:52:06,319 the bar set? Are we falling behind what neighboring townships are achieving? 632 00:52:04,960 --> 00:52:10,640 I've attended our township board meetings regularly. Not once have I 633 00:52:08,800 --> 00:52:15,040 heard concern for Elkrove Township services falling behind less than 634 00:52:12,480 --> 00:52:18,640 anything but amazing. And I believe that is because we have some exceptionally 635 00:52:16,559 --> 00:52:23,200 amazing staff and administrators. However, without seeing any furtherance 636 00:52:20,559 --> 00:52:27,839 of an established need, without metrics, without showing us a why additional 637 00:52:25,839 --> 00:52:34,079 funding is necessary or what it will be spent on, we cannot justify some 638 00:52:30,160 --> 00:52:37,520 arbitrary need. With $640,000 already spent on social services each year, plus 639 00:52:36,160 --> 00:52:42,559 the improvements already made this year with hiring new employees. One one might 640 00:52:40,079 --> 00:52:46,559 presume such a 708 board will only serve as a budget appropriation for the 641 00:52:44,160 --> 00:52:49,559 Democratic Socialist of America or some other 642 00:52:50,400 --> 00:52:58,319 or or some otherwise rogue element not truly of the will of the people of this 643 00:52:56,240 --> 00:53:03,119 township. Look around us at this meeting. If we had the genuine organic 644 00:53:00,559 --> 00:53:07,599 interest of even 900 electors wanting to see this petition uh question on the 645 00:53:05,200 --> 00:53:10,960 ballot and yet less than 5% of that number from our own township are even 646 00:53:09,280 --> 00:53:15,440 willing to show up in support of it here tonight. All I can say is I have lots of 647 00:53:13,440 --> 00:53:19,680 questions. The most important question being by holding a special session to 648 00:53:17,599 --> 00:53:22,800 pass a resolution to print the question for a 708 mental health board on the 649 00:53:21,359 --> 00:53:26,640 upcoming general election ballot. Anyway, are you really carrying out the 650 00:53:24,800 --> 00:53:32,212 will of your constituents? And with that, I have nothing more to offer. 651 00:53:28,880 --> 00:53:32,212 » Thank you, [applause] 652 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:36,839 » Matthew Pazanka. 653 00:53:38,960 --> 00:53:46,240 Crowd. >> Good evening. My name is Matthew 654 00:53:43,119 --> 00:53:50,400 Pachchanka. I live at 2125 West Haven Street in Mount Prospect, which is 655 00:53:48,079 --> 00:53:53,760 within Elkrove Township, and I appreciate the chance to speak tonight. 656 00:53:52,319 --> 00:53:58,079 Over the last few weeks, I actually foyed the referendum petition signatures 657 00:53:56,559 --> 00:54:02,319 and looked over closely at who was involved with the ballot in question. 658 00:54:00,319 --> 00:54:06,640 And what stood out to me, which should stand out to the board, is how much push 659 00:54:04,720 --> 00:54:10,720 and support for this referendum came from outside of Elkrove Township. The 660 00:54:09,280 --> 00:54:14,480 community mental health project the group emailed multiple residents urging 661 00:54:12,960 --> 00:54:18,559 them to attend tonight isn't even based in Elkrove Township. It's based out of 662 00:54:16,240 --> 00:54:24,000 Palletine and numerous circulators on those petitions you had reviewed 663 00:54:20,000 --> 00:54:29,440 yourself is over one-third of them were based out of townships outside of 664 00:54:26,000 --> 00:54:32,559 Elkrove Township as well at which at some point you have to ask yourself is 665 00:54:31,040 --> 00:54:36,400 this really a community initiative or another way for top individuals and 666 00:54:34,160 --> 00:54:41,040 mental health organizations and groups to grow their influ influences salaries 667 00:54:38,800 --> 00:54:44,480 and their budgets because when so much energy comes from outside of the 668 00:54:42,480 --> 00:54:48,480 township it's hard to call this organic in any Okay, 669 00:54:47,200 --> 00:54:52,319 which brings me to something a little bit more serious. We have trustees here 670 00:54:50,160 --> 00:54:56,640 tonight who directly work with NOS's and nonprofits that would financially 671 00:54:53,760 --> 00:55:01,839 benefit from a 708 board here today, which is a clear conflict of interest. 672 00:54:58,800 --> 00:55:05,200 And now, and if this board wants to maintain trust, those trustees should 673 00:55:03,760 --> 00:55:10,400 recuse themselves from tonight's proceeding, which is not personal. It's 674 00:55:07,760 --> 00:55:14,640 responsible governance. Now, I would like to go back to the community support 675 00:55:11,920 --> 00:55:18,400 or the lack of it. This board earned thousands of votes in the last 676 00:55:16,079 --> 00:55:22,319 consolidated election. Real measurable support from the people who actually 677 00:55:19,839 --> 00:55:27,200 live here. While this meanwhile, this popular referendum supposedly backed by 678 00:55:25,200 --> 00:55:31,599 the same community couldn't even break 900 signatures in an entire 12-month 679 00:55:29,599 --> 00:55:37,280 window they had. That's roughly three signatures a day they had collected. 680 00:55:35,280 --> 00:55:40,640 And when something has genuine grassroots momentum, you feel it. You 681 00:55:39,119 --> 00:55:45,359 don't have to drag it across the finish line. So, we have to be honest. If this 682 00:55:43,520 --> 00:55:49,599 referendum truly came from the community, meaning the minimum wouldn't 683 00:55:47,359 --> 00:55:52,720 meaning the minimum, which they didn't, wouldn't have been a struggle, 684 00:55:50,880 --> 00:55:57,599 especially with the amount of outside help they had. Yet, here we are in a 685 00:55:55,839 --> 00:56:01,760 special session debating whether to print a ballot question the community 686 00:55:59,440 --> 00:56:04,480 didn't organically demand. So, tonight, I'm going to ask you to do something 687 00:56:02,960 --> 00:56:08,400 simple. Don't vote for what's comfortable. Vote for what's right and 688 00:56:06,640 --> 00:56:13,599 what's lawful. The election law is clear, which you understand, and they 689 00:56:10,880 --> 00:56:17,040 did not beat the real threshold. This should not be allowed on the ballot. Our 690 00:56:15,040 --> 00:56:21,119 community deserves better than a rushed referendum built on outside influence, 691 00:56:19,359 --> 00:56:26,240 conflict of interest, and a lack of authentic community support. Make your 692 00:56:23,520 --> 00:56:33,359 decision with the people, the law in mind, and the organizations waiting to 693 00:56:29,440 --> 00:56:37,440 profit. Thank you. Before 694 00:56:35,359 --> 00:56:42,799 I before I call our final speaker, I just want to clarify a couple things. Um 695 00:56:41,119 --> 00:56:47,839 there's only one trustee on this board that works for a nonforprofit at this 696 00:56:44,640 --> 00:56:52,400 time and that nonprofit is not receiving any um direct funding from this 697 00:56:50,319 --> 00:56:59,640 township. And so I just want to clarify that for the record. Uh final speaker is 698 00:56:55,040 --> 00:56:59,640 Amy Austerman. Amy 699 00:57:04,559 --> 00:57:11,599 Hi, my name is Amy Austerman. Um, I reside at 905 Wilson Avenue in uh 700 00:57:09,839 --> 00:57:16,160 Displayplains. I'm in Elgroveve Township. I also uh serve as the uh 701 00:57:14,799 --> 00:57:20,400 deputy committee woman for the Republicans of Elgroveve Township as 702 00:57:17,839 --> 00:57:23,599 well. Um I'm here to speak against the 703 00:57:21,920 --> 00:57:26,720 referendum for the mental health board, not because I don't care about people 704 00:57:24,880 --> 00:57:31,440 dealing with mental health issues. Um I'm actually extremely empathetic. Um 705 00:57:29,599 --> 00:57:37,040 but because Elkrove Township already handles uh the residents it serves and 706 00:57:33,680 --> 00:57:41,359 expands services on an as needed basis. Um so they're doing everything just 707 00:57:39,200 --> 00:57:46,640 fine. Just because other townships have done it doesn't mean we knew we need to. 708 00:57:43,760 --> 00:57:50,880 And um also not all mental health services are created equal. Um I'll give 709 00:57:49,440 --> 00:57:57,200 you an example how mental health services can go wrong. uh D214 uh gives 710 00:57:55,119 --> 00:58:03,200 uh its students an assessment for suicide that is uh would not pass an 711 00:58:00,799 --> 00:58:09,520 institutional review board uh for meeting its objective. It gives yes no 712 00:58:05,839 --> 00:58:13,839 questions um asking youth largely self-image questions which again is not 713 00:58:12,079 --> 00:58:19,680 something that you want to use and there's only seven of them. Anybody 714 00:58:16,000 --> 00:58:24,880 taking this test would walk away saying, "I must be suicidal." 715 00:58:23,040 --> 00:58:29,119 I was, this was brought to my attention because my daughter, who I had opted out 716 00:58:26,880 --> 00:58:35,520 of taking the test, but she actually was able to um access the test and was 717 00:58:33,119 --> 00:58:40,079 called me crying wanting to get her her students away from it. Um but anyway, 718 00:58:37,920 --> 00:58:44,720 the the bottom line is this nonprofit organization that put that that puts 719 00:58:42,400 --> 00:58:49,359 this out for D214 is actually funded by big pharma. So, um when I called the 720 00:58:48,079 --> 00:58:53,119 school psychologist, they were like, "Oh, no. I don't have anything to do 721 00:58:50,640 --> 00:59:01,680 with that. That's the that's the um that's the assistant principal who 722 00:58:55,440 --> 00:59:05,280 handles that." Um and also, um um I'd like to talk about some 723 00:59:03,040 --> 00:59:09,040 hypocrisy. when Illinois residents are discussing new laws allowing people to 724 00:59:07,119 --> 00:59:14,839 end their lives when they have no terminal diagnosis. 725 00:59:11,839 --> 00:59:14,839 um 726 00:59:15,359 --> 00:59:26,480 in Canada. Well, a person in this room actually actually said um so be it to 727 00:59:23,440 --> 00:59:31,920 somebody who actually was in the hypothetical situation of somebody 728 00:59:28,880 --> 00:59:37,040 wanting to commit suicide with no terminal illness just because they 729 00:59:34,000 --> 00:59:41,920 wanted to, a person advocating for this mental health board responded with, "So 730 00:59:39,839 --> 00:59:46,079 be it." Obviously, the person is in crisis if they're if they're looking to 731 00:59:44,079 --> 00:59:52,480 commit suicide. That's a mental health. So, if if this mental health board is 732 00:59:49,440 --> 00:59:56,079 going to be advocating for and allowing um assisted suicides, I don't want to 733 00:59:54,319 --> 01:00:00,559 have anything to do with it. Rarely throw and and I think it's vile and 734 00:59:57,920 --> 01:00:02,960 disgusting that the person in this room would say so. 735 01:00:01,520 --> 01:00:05,520 » Let's all be respectful of each other, please. 736 01:00:03,520 --> 01:00:09,520 » But throwing money at problems rarely helps the issues. The money intends to 737 01:00:07,520 --> 01:00:15,200 the money act. it actually intends to help. Um, and and 738 01:00:13,200 --> 01:00:19,571 you guys are doing a great job and keep it up. 739 01:00:17,119 --> 01:00:21,591 » Thank you. [applause] 740 01:00:22,319 --> 01:00:28,000 » That end that ends public comments. I'll now return it to the board for 741 01:00:26,000 --> 01:00:31,000 conversation and consideration of the motion. 742 01:00:34,079 --> 01:00:42,960 » You know, actually, can I I just have one thing. So, 743 01:00:38,640 --> 01:00:49,520 today the EAV numbers I mean um as you can imagine um we don't have our tax 744 01:00:46,319 --> 01:00:57,359 bills for the for the second um part of this year but today the EAV numbers came 745 01:00:53,040 --> 01:01:04,640 out um and so with working with our attorney there's just a two things that 746 01:01:00,640 --> 01:01:12,720 we would like to amend um on the resolution 747 01:01:07,680 --> 01:01:18,400 um for clarity. And so if you look at number two 748 01:01:15,040 --> 01:01:21,599 » and I'm sorry, page three of five here. Uh do you have another one? I'm sure we 749 01:01:20,559 --> 01:01:27,359 have another one. Hold on. >> Do you want me to help explain 750 01:01:24,559 --> 01:01:31,280 that? >> Hold on. I'm sure I have another copy. I 751 01:01:28,880 --> 01:01:36,480 have so many copies of everything. >> I have that. 752 01:01:34,160 --> 01:01:41,440 » I just gave her my copy. So, >> I can explain it. 753 01:01:38,000 --> 01:01:45,839 » So, I'm going to turn it over to uh I hand out my uh my resolution to somebody 754 01:01:43,200 --> 01:01:51,839 else. So, I'm going to have um Isabella Manzo explain the differences. They're 755 01:01:48,240 --> 01:01:56,640 minor um but they are for transparency. So, 756 01:01:52,799 --> 01:02:02,480 » hello. Um so, we drafted this resolution identical to what was circulated in the 757 01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:06,640 petition. And um by statute there are a couple of requirements that the question 758 01:02:04,400 --> 01:02:11,839 has to have on the referendum. So you have to have the actual question which 759 01:02:08,160 --> 01:02:18,079 is the yes no um with the cap and then we also have supplemental information 760 01:02:14,000 --> 01:02:22,079 under paragraph 1 and two. So it is my thought that when the petition was 761 01:02:19,920 --> 01:02:26,640 circulating those numbers were not yet available but as we are now looking at 762 01:02:24,480 --> 01:02:31,359 it um as a board as you are all looking at it as a board and again you don't 763 01:02:28,720 --> 01:02:37,040 have to make this amendment but because we're passing it as a board resolution 764 01:02:34,160 --> 01:02:40,720 you could or you could totally disregard the information I just want to provide 765 01:02:38,319 --> 01:02:45,680 it to you. So, because the new AV and the limiting rates and things like that 766 01:02:42,319 --> 01:02:51,040 had come out earlier um today actually, we received an uh a potential amendment 767 01:02:48,400 --> 01:02:58,160 from our attorney and it says paragraph 2 should read for the 2026 levy year, 768 01:02:55,280 --> 01:03:03,280 the approximate amount of additional tax expendable against property containing a 769 01:03:00,640 --> 01:03:09,200 single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the 770 01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:17,760 referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be 1550. So we do not change the cap. It 771 01:03:14,960 --> 01:03:24,000 is still 0.05. You are using the new EAV to get to that 772 01:03:20,640 --> 01:03:28,079 calculation. And so instead of change in instead of it being 773 01:03:26,079 --> 01:03:32,319 the 2025 levy year, you're changing it to the 774 01:03:29,520 --> 01:03:38,640 2026 levy year, which is more accurate and timely. and it actually lowers what 775 01:03:35,680 --> 01:03:43,280 you would see per $100,000 on your tax bill. Um, remember this is supplemental 776 01:03:40,960 --> 01:03:47,839 information, so it does not change the ceiling. Um, it still remains at that 777 01:03:45,680 --> 01:03:52,000 0.05. Um, so you're not changing anything in the actual referendum. Um, 778 01:03:50,240 --> 01:03:57,280 you are just changing the supplemental information at is as it is available to 779 01:03:54,799 --> 01:04:03,200 us at this time. It may not have been available to the petitioners at the time 780 01:03:59,760 --> 01:04:08,000 of drafting the original petition. Um, so that you know, if you guys go back to 781 01:04:05,920 --> 01:04:14,319 this uh60ome dollars a year, it actually is $60.60 782 01:04:11,200 --> 01:04:19,520 um at this calculation. If you would like to amend it, you would 783 01:04:16,079 --> 01:04:24,640 have to amend it with that wording and I can give that to you. 784 01:04:22,960 --> 01:04:27,920 » Or you don't have to amend it. Remember, this is just information for your 785 01:04:26,079 --> 01:04:32,640 benefit. I I move to amend uh to make the uh 786 01:04:30,559 --> 01:04:37,119 figure more accurate uh based on the 2026. 787 01:04:33,599 --> 01:04:43,839 » Can can you make a motion to approve the resolution with the amendments as 788 01:04:39,839 --> 01:04:48,480 described by or as you read? >> Um sorry, supervisor. Can I I would like 789 01:04:46,160 --> 01:04:50,160 to make another comment quickly before um 790 01:04:49,599 --> 01:04:52,640 » Sure. >> Um 791 01:04:51,119 --> 01:04:57,440 » Trusty uh St. >> Thank you. 792 01:04:53,760 --> 01:05:03,280 um some of the comments um that came through the public speaking we are we 793 01:05:00,880 --> 01:05:10,000 are good enough we are not good enough there's no such a thing as a good enough 794 01:05:06,960 --> 01:05:16,799 um when you enter each and every town that we uh cover in uh Elgrove Township 795 01:05:14,240 --> 01:05:20,079 it says welcome welcome to man prospect it tells you what the man prospect 796 01:05:18,319 --> 01:05:23,839 stands for I can't tell you what the man prospect stands for I should know this 797 01:05:21,599 --> 01:05:28,960 is my new hometown but My own hometown was Elgrove Village and it says 798 01:05:26,079 --> 01:05:35,039 exceptional community. You need to do more than we are just 799 01:05:32,559 --> 01:05:39,359 fine. If you want to stand up, if you want to meet those standards, you need 800 01:05:37,200 --> 01:05:46,559 to be exceptional. Um, if all we have during those 801 01:05:43,839 --> 01:05:55,119 arguments from our opponents are the numbers, then let's make it simple. 802 01:05:50,480 --> 01:06:01,359 Let's community decide. And lastly, I get compensated to sit here. I would 803 01:05:59,119 --> 01:06:05,200 love to opt out from receiving a check from tonight's meeting and send this 804 01:06:03,039 --> 01:06:08,880 back to the township, towards the social services, towards the food pantry 805 01:06:06,960 --> 01:06:13,985 because I know our residents can use it. Thank you. 806 01:06:11,965 --> 01:06:13,985 [applause] 807 01:06:14,960 --> 01:06:23,520 » I'll connect you with Erica on that. Trusty Wine Coupoop. I'd like to move 808 01:06:20,319 --> 01:06:29,760 the resolution as read previously by um Supervisor Scalleta and we'll skip that 809 01:06:25,680 --> 01:06:34,480 part. Uh and um with the amending of paragraph 2 in the supplemental 810 01:06:31,119 --> 01:06:37,520 information to read for the 2026 levy year, the approximate amount of the 811 01:06:36,000 --> 01:06:41,119 additional tax extendable against property containing a single family 812 01:06:39,119 --> 01:06:48,119 residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of 813 01:06:42,720 --> 01:06:48,119 $100,000 is estimated to be $15.15. 814 01:06:49,440 --> 01:06:56,079 Trusty Luji seconds. >> Just for clarity, 1550 or 15 815 01:06:54,000 --> 01:06:59,280 » 151515. >> Thank you. 816 01:06:57,599 --> 01:07:00,960 » I will send that out to the entire board. 817 01:07:00,079 --> 01:07:06,986 » Thank you. >> We re we received it at 5:18 and I read 818 01:07:04,079 --> 01:07:08,640 it at uh in between the two meetings [laughter] 819 01:07:07,359 --> 01:07:12,640 » and I'm going to leave off the thanks Dan part. But since since we're aware of 820 01:07:10,559 --> 01:07:17,280 it, I wanted to make sure that we were drafting something that was as accurate 821 01:07:14,640 --> 01:07:19,920 as the information was provided by legal counsel. 822 01:07:17,920 --> 01:07:22,960 » Thank you. >> So we have a motion and a second. Roll 823 01:07:21,599 --> 01:07:24,640 call. >> Trusty Wine Coupoop 824 01:07:24,160 --> 01:07:26,319 » I. >> Trusty Lujay 825 01:07:25,760 --> 01:07:27,839 » I. >> Trusty Stanyek 826 01:07:27,440 --> 01:07:31,760 » I. >> Supervisor Scalleta 827 01:07:29,359 --> 01:07:34,880 » I. I am leaving it up to the voters. I agree with everybody in this room that 828 01:07:33,039 --> 01:07:38,480 we should leave it up to the voters. I hope that you will go out there and 829 01:07:36,640 --> 01:07:44,480 spread the good news of what we do because we do so much more with less 830 01:07:41,599 --> 01:07:49,440 than many other townships in our area. We have an adult and family counseling 831 01:07:46,240 --> 01:07:53,920 department that is very, very rare. We have a youth services department that is 832 01:07:51,440 --> 01:07:57,440 very, very rare. And so, I just want to make sure that that message gets out 833 01:07:55,440 --> 01:08:02,880 there because it sounds like, you know, like we're new to the game and we're 834 01:07:59,599 --> 01:08:07,119 not. We're not new to the game. And you know, we're very, very proud of what we 835 01:08:04,559 --> 01:08:12,079 do. And I hope that you take that message with you as you go out there to 836 01:08:09,039 --> 01:08:16,080 campaign um for the mental health board and let them know all the things that we 837 01:08:14,079 --> 01:08:19,679 do. Um because we are trying to do everything we can to increase the 838 01:08:17,920 --> 01:08:24,880 awareness of what we provide here at the township. Um and let everybody know that 839 01:08:22,719 --> 01:08:28,799 we exist and that's why we show up at different events and and and you know, 840 01:08:26,719 --> 01:08:33,839 and try and make it possible. and and you know I am very very proud of our 841 01:08:31,440 --> 01:08:38,400 director and her entire department in the adult and family counseling 842 01:08:34,960 --> 01:08:44,159 department because they are doing work um that you know is is not just going to 843 01:08:42,159 --> 01:08:47,520 work um and hearing other people's problems. You take those with you when 844 01:08:46,000 --> 01:08:52,442 you leave at the end of the day. So thank you Lan and please share that with 845 01:08:49,359 --> 01:08:54,462 your department. [applause] 846 01:08:57,920 --> 01:09:04,560 All right. If there's nothing else, I would ask the board to consider or uh 847 01:09:02,719 --> 01:09:08,199 make a motion to go into executive session per 5CS120/2C21, 848 01:09:08,560 --> 01:09:15,199 discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the open meetings 849 01:09:12,480 --> 01:09:19,120 act and 5ilcs 120/2 850 01:09:16,960 --> 01:09:23,359 C11 litigation when an action against affecting or on behalf of the township 851 01:09:21,199 --> 01:09:28,319 has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative jun tribunal or 852 01:09:26,080 --> 01:09:31,359 when the township finds an action is probable or imminent in which case the 853 01:09:29,839 --> 01:09:35,600 basis of where the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of 854 01:09:33,199 --> 01:09:38,960 the closed meeting. I don't expect us to come out and report out after the 855 01:09:37,359 --> 01:09:42,400 meeting. >> Trusty Luji moves to move into executive 856 01:09:41,040 --> 01:09:45,359 session. >> Second. We have a motion to second. Roll 857 01:09:44,880 --> 01:09:47,199 call. >> Trusty Luji. 858 01:09:46,719 --> 01:09:48,640 » I. >> Trusty Wine Coupoop. 859 01:09:48,239 --> 01:09:50,000 » I. >> Trusty Stany. 860 01:09:49,679 --> 01:09:52,799 » I. >> Supervisor Scalleta 861 01:09:51,520 --> 01:09:58,280 » I. >> Thank you for joining us tonight. Hope 862 01:09:54,320 --> 01:09:58,280 to see you again next Monday.