Mental Health Boards, also known as 708 boards after House Bill 708, were first established by the Community Mental Health Act (405 ILCS20/) in 1963. To establish a 708 Board requires passage of a local referendum by any county, city village, incorporated town, or township. With the passage of a referendum, local governmental units levy an annual tax not to exceed .15% from a taxable property that is appropriated to the Mental Health Board. A 708 Board is established for the purposes of planning and funding of mental health, intellectual/developmental disability, and substance use services. There are over ninety community mental health boards in Illinois.
In 2022, Addison Township voters approved a referendum that established the Addison Township Mental Health Board to fund mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use services that serve township residents. The Act calls for the establishment of a seven-member community mental health board to administer local funds and plan and coordinate services within the local behavioral health system. In February 2023, Addison Township Supervisor Dennis Reboletti appointed seven Addison Township residents to serve on the mental health board. One of the statutory requirements of the Community Mental Health Act is to establish a One and Three Year Strategic Plan to outline how township tax levied funds will be used to address identified community needs in the areas of mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and addiction.
