A nurse, a social worker and several mental health advocates are among the seven members appointed to the new Will County Community Mental Health Board.
Voters approved creating the board in November’s election with nearly 53% of county voters supporting the referendum. Just over 118,600 residents approved creating a board to evaluate and improve mental health services in the county.
The group will help coordinate services for those dealing with mental health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance abuse.
County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said it was important to have individuals with experience in all those fields. She said she also wanted to make sure the board was diverse, and she believes the board members have the leadership skills and backgrounds necessary.
“We have many talented people,” Bertino-Tarrant said.
The county board approved the nominations Thursday, but not without dispute over who was authorized to make the appointments.
Several Republican board members said language in the statute was ambiguous as to whether the county executive or the county board chair had authority to make the appointments.
Attorney Mary Tatroe said the authority rested with the county executive, with board approval.
Steve Balich, the Republican leader from Homer Glen, voted against each of the appointments. He said the state statue read as if the appointment powers should be with Judy Ogalla, of Monee, the chair of the county board, not Bertino-Tarrant, and wanted a written legal opinion before the board confirmed the choices.
Balich said he was disappointed in the process and wanted to review all the applicants’ resumes before the seven were selected.
Members of the mental health board will not be paid and were appointed to serve staggered terms of two, three or four years.
Elnalyn Costa, a Democrat from Bolingbrook, will be the county board representative on the board for its first two years. Under the Community Mental Health Act, only one member of the county board can serve.
Costa, who was elected in November, is a fund administrator for the SEIU Healthcare Illinois Benefit Fund in Chicago, where she leads a team that serves 20,000 front line health care and child care workers across the state, according to her biography on her campaign website. Costa has a bachelor’s degree in health care leadership from National-Louis University.
“She is a collaborator,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “She brings people together. She wants to compromise.”
Orlando DeYoung, a Plainfield resident and mental health advocate who helps connect young community members to mental health services, also was appointed for a two-year term.
Two people were appointed for three-year terms. Katrina Jones, of University Park, who was recommended by Ogalla, is a nurse with 22 years of experience in medicine and has received specialized mental health trainings during her career. Ashley Searing, of Joliet, a community mental health awareness advocate and paraprofessional with Joliet Elementary District 86, founded RejuveNate Plants and Wellness to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.
The final three residents were appointed to four-year terms.
Michael Flanagan, of Green Garden Township, is a retired firefighter who has provided peer support for firefighters, police officers and military veterans. He also has worked with the 100 Club of Illinois, which supports the families of first responders who have been lost in the line of duty, and the National Association for Down Syndrome.
Terri King, of Plainfield, is a retired Will County employee with more than 20 years of experience as a mental health advocate. King was a board member for 15 years with the National Alliance on Mental Illness for Will and Grundy counties, where she was recognized with several area awards.
Jessica Parks, of Bolingbrook, a licensed clinical social worker, has experience with community mental health, substance use disorder treatment and federal probation counseling. She also has leadership roles on the Bolingbrook Pride Board and the Will County Pride Coalition Board.
The mental health board must meet before July 1 and select a president, secretary and other officers. They will then come up with a meeting schedule and begin the planning process. They also have to set a budget and levy, which would be approved by the county board.
The maximum levy that could be assessed is 0.05% per equalized assessed value, but the levy ultimately approved could be lower.
“I’m committed to assisting this board in order for them to succeed,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This is obviously an important issue to voters.”
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter.