ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – In Winnebago County, voters may see a familiar question on their November ballot about a half-cent sales tax for “mental health purposes.”
The referendum was first put to the public in 2020, when more than 62% approved the mental health services funding initiative. A sunset clause means any extension would require referendum approval, but before the general election, the county commission must decide whether to allow the ballot question.
For some local nonprofits, the question of whether to fund life-saving programs for those in need has turned the tide.
“One in five people are touched by someone with mental illness,” says Sue Schroeder, CEO of Stepping Stones.
The Rockford-area nonprofit provides residential mental health services to people with “severe and persistent mental illnesses.” For 2023, $1.65 million was earmarked for the charity to increase its housing capacity. On top of that, tax revenue for the year totaled nearly $20 million.
“We wouldn't have been able to do anything without a half-cent sales tax to add new housing for individuals in need,” Schroeder said.
Decades before the tax was introduced, Stepping Stones helped around 160 people with mental illness; this year alone, 700 will receive support.
“It's just been growing ever since,” Schroeder said.
The Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMB) uses the tax to fund mental health and substance use programs, and District 14 County Commissioner Tim Neighbors (D) attributes recent local success to the funding.
“The network we have is so much more than what we already had or what we needed,” Nabors said. He credits the tax dollars with improving public safety and encouraging job growth. “Invest in talent, invest in the quality of the workforce. You can also increase the supply of jobs coming to Rockford.”
WCCMB provides funding to 44 organizations and agencies, each of which provides a range of treatment, case management, crisis response and more.
Lifescape Community Services has raised approximately $160,000 for mental health responses, including senior mental health programs.
“Older adults are at higher risk for suicide, so we really want to catch people who sometimes get left behind,” Drysdale said.
Lifescape provides only one mental health service for seniors, the director said, but now in its second year receiving tax revenue, the social service is able to provide more.
“Youth empowerment, housing stability, counseling services. I mean, it's endless,” Drysdale said. “Through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, we are able to receive referrals and referrals from partner agencies.”
Subject to approval by the County Commission and voters, the tax extension would begin July 1, 2026. WCCMB’s 2023-2024 program report can be found here .
Copyright 2024 WIFR. All rights reserved.
