Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers

The Chicago Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act


The Chicago Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act gives Chicago communities the ability to restore mental health services devastated by State and City budget cuts by voting on a referendum to raise their own property taxes to pay for the restoration of services. Only if the voters approve, does the program go into place. This model has been successfully used in Chicago in the form of the Home Equity Assurance Act and the Neighborhood Security Patrols Act for over 20 years. Simply put, the Act will allow Chicago voters to vote on binding referendums for expanded mental health services.

How the voters have responded...


The proposal, placed on the November 2008 ballot as an advisory referendum in the North River Area of Chicago, asked voters within the area served by North River Mental Health Center, if they were willing to approve a .004 property tax increase ($4 for every thousand you currently pay, an average of $16 per household) in order to expand services for the neighborhood. This .004 amount would go directly into a fund managed by local community members and would be used directly to provide free mental health services at North River Mental Health Center for anyone in our community. The result was that 71% of voters said YES to the proposal.

Important facts about how your money will be used:

 (Read More about the plan)

  • The program only goes into effect if the voters approve on a front-door binding referendum. Likewise, the voters can vote to discontinue the program by voting to discontinue it.
  • The money would be managed by a board of 9 local community members. They would determine what services are needed for their community. This allows Chicago's diverse communities to deal with the issues that are unique to their neighborhood. 
  • A minimum of 85% of the budget is required to be used directly for services. Only 15% could be used for administrative and other costs.
  • The amount approved by the voters is fixed and can never be raised, unless the voters approve.
  • The money would provide free services for those living within the area determined for the program. 

Other Questions


What does .004 mean?

.004 simply means that for every $1000 you currently pay in property taxes, you would pay an additional $4. For example, if your last property tax bill was $4,000 then you would pay an additional $16 per year.