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* Daily Herald editorial…
The November issue was whether a special advocacy body known as a 708 Mental Health Board should be created with limited taxing powers to provide mental health services to township residents who need them.
Similar boards had previously been established by voters of at least three other suburban townships, and in November, voters in six suburban regions joined Wheeling Township in approving the boards.
The Wheeling Township Board, though, was never a big fan of the measure, arguing that the township already allots about $500,000 a year for mental health services. Supporters of the 708 board responded that much more is needed and sought a panel with special taxing authority to manage about $1.5 million. Voters said yes, but when the Wheeling Township attorney discovered a loophole in technical ballot language last August that authorized the board but not its powers to collect revenue, the township board was quick to respond with a call for a whole new election.
This in spite of the fact that state Rep. Dan Didech, a Buffalo Grove Democrat, has proposed legislation, expected to be addressed in this November’s veto session, that could correct the error without the need for another vote.
Township leaders have complained that a 708 board could seek a levy of as much as $8 million, though supporters always insisted their goal was only the $1.5 million.
Now, with a straight-faced claim of prioritizing transparency, the township board has approved a new question with the technical language addressed, plus an insertion of the obviously alarming $8 million figure. The new language makes no reference to the actual $1.5 million sought.
Hmm.
* A campaign committee was formed in September of last year called “Vote No Mental Health Tax.” Its stated purpose was “To oppose the referendum to create a community health board in Wheelling [sic] Township.”
The chair and treasurer of the committee was Dan Patlak, a Wheeling resident who also just happens to be the Director of Community Engagement for the Illinois Policy Institute.
The committee raised just one contribution: $25,000 from Republican contributor Dick Uihlein. Mr. Uihlein has been a strong supporter of the IPI’s work.
Right around that same time, Uihlein contributed $12,000 to Republicans of Wheeling Township. That contribution represented the vast majority of the township GOP’s individual contributions during the quarter. The township Republicans raised another $31K from the Northwest Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Committee PAC. Uihlein gave almost $26K to that committee last year.
And now the township board wants a do-over.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:18 am
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If you can’t get a guy elected governor and fail in getting most of your school board candidates elected, you might be able to prevent a township tax for mental health.
Good to see Dan and Dick being more realistic in their goals.
If this doesn’t work out, regional school boards, fire district boards, and mosquito abatement districts always exist.
I still think a book and seminar series explaining how to convince Dick Uihlein to give money to something could be a winner. Expanded it into a general sales seminar, I have to admit, I think I would buy a ticket.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:28 am
Don’t remember where I saw this earlier this year, and I’m certainly not going to claim credit for it, although it’s exceedingly clever, but:
Uihlein should embrace the L in Uihlein because he does so much losing.
And now he wants to kill off mental health funding? SMH. What is wrong with him (aside from the usual rich white man delusions?
Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:30 am
Uihlein absolutely support free-market mosquito abatement. I look forward to the North Cook Justice Bugle and the South Suburban Daily Freedom editorials that take down those socialists who want Mosquito-Abatement-For-All and insect death panels.
Comment by Skokie Man Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:35 am
If I were a billionaire, I would simply not care if a township I didn’t live in had a community mental health board or not. I would be a much happier billionaire than Dick Uihlein.
Comment by vern Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:40 am
If they don’t like creating new governmental bodies, would Dan and Richard also be in favor of consolidating and reducing the number of municipalities and local governments statewide? Including mandatory school consolidation (at least of separate elementary and high school districts into a single PreK-12 unit district). Would their buddies from Leland Grove support their muni be abolished and merged into Springfield, along with Jerome, Southern View, Grandview, as well as Springfield, Capital, and Woodside townships?
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 10:55 am
==And now the township board wants a do-over.==
Republicans aren’t big fans of honoring the outcome of elections.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:23 am
==And now he wants to kill off mental health funding?==
Remember, the guns aren’t the problem, it’s a mental health issue. And the only way forward is for this country to address mental health the same way we address gun ownership.
Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:38 am
Preventing mental health is good for growing their base.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 11:45 am
=Now, with a straight-faced claim of prioritizing transparency=
Up is always down with these guys. A majority vote approved the district, but they are not about a democratic process, they want an oligarchy.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:51 pm
The partisanship here is obvious, but I would also note that the Supervisor for Wheeling Township is the Wheeling Township Republican Committeeperson, and the township-appointed President of the 708 board is Jack Vrett (R), who challenged Rep. Mark Walker in last year’s election.
The Daily Herald is exactly right. The Wheeling Township board has never wanted this and thinks they know better than the voters.
Comment by Panther Pride Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:54 pm
Tough to believe Uihlein and his enablers believe in democracy.
The politics and results are not their friend, but if you cause enough havoc you can try to overturn election results?
The forgot the “stop the steal “t-shirts.
Patriots and Traitors… elections need to matter.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 12:59 pm
You’re hip-deep in the weeds in my back garden Rich. Who’s your source?
(Only kidding)
Local focus counts more and more
Comment by walker Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 1:33 pm
- Preventing mental health is good for growing their base. -
When the truth is scary and hilarious at the same time…WHEEEE!
Comment by Dotnonymous x Tuesday, Oct 3, 23 @ 4:42 pm