Voters support additional mental health services for Moraine Township

Moraine Township will be getting more mental-health resources very soon.

More than 70% of voters in the township, which includes Highwood and much of Highland Park, supported a tax increase that will fund a Community Mental Health Board, according to Lake County election results, which are not yet official.

With all precincts reporting, 71.2% or 12,158 voters were on board with the plan, while just 27.8% or 4,691 voters were against it.

A mental health board will strive to provide services and resources to Moraine Township residents who are struggling with mental health concerns, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.

Dan Jenks, the co-chair of Yes for Mental Health, a political action committee supporting the measure, said he and his team were “thrilled” with the outcome.

“It was a well-designed referendum at the right time,” he said. “Our community cares and showed a belief in what this referendum is doing. I’m very proud to live in our community with people who care so much.

“I am convinced a strong board will be put together and we will really make some progress in terms of serving residents who struggle with mental heath. … We’re going to have a positive impact.”

The approval comes with an increase in the property taxes in the township — which also includes parts of Deerfield and Lake Forest — by .03%, or an additional $10 per year for the owner of a single-family home worth $100,000.

The increase will generate between $800,000 and $900,000 in new funding for the mental health board. A community health board would develop a budget and allocate funds to provide resources for Moraine Township residents.

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