Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes
(approved by Members 07/10/2025)
Council Member Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Fred Friedman, Jacob Meeks, Jessica Gimeno, Jim Wilkerson, Joan Lodge, Laura Gilbert-Gerber, Matt Fisback, Marianne Bithos, Michelle Churchey-Mims, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Sarah Scruggs, Sid Weisman, Sue Schroeder, and Tiffany Burnett. (Thane Dykstra Absent due to technical difficulties accessing web ex)
Other Attendees DMH: Director Albert, Christina Smith, Brock Dunlap, Nic Pleske, Lisa Betz, Courtney Aldrich, Barabara Hobrock, Sarah Littrell IL State Board of Education.
Call to Order/Introductions: 12:33 pm meeting called to order by Sue Schroeder
Quorum not met at March 6th meeting, approval delayed until May 1, 2025. Ron Melka motioned to approve meeting notes or said report from March 6th, second by Michelle Churchey-Mims. Jessica Gimeno sustained as she was not present (All) motion to approve March 6th meeting report as written carried. Approval of January 9, 2025, Minutes motion Chris O'Hara, Ray Connor seconded, Fred Friedman abstained from both meeting, motion carried to approve January 9th meeting minutes.
- Division of Mental Health Report: (Director Albert, Christina Smith, Brock Dunlap, Lisa Betz)
- Dr. Albert: federal funding update and uncertainty that the department is experiencing. Important impact 24th notice written notice from SAMHSA American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding we were expecting to continue until September 30th however on March 24th received notice. The state of IL filed a lawsuit against this decision, a court order allowed the funding to continue impact was mobile crisis response and will continue to be provided.
- Crisis continuum work overview including legislation CESSA passed committee in the house SB-2500 protocols for communication between 988, PSAPS and MCRT. Deadline extension which is necessary to continue to pilot the system to ensure we are making the necessary adjustments. July 1, 2027 extended CESSA. Ron Melka asked if support or signature was needed to support CESSA and SB-2500. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2500&GAID=18&GA=104&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=162676&SessionID=114
- Fred Friedman responded about federal funding stopped and then passing a new SB-2500, highly unlikely that the state has money at the state level to fund this. Director Albert responded that MCR FEDERAL dollars ARPA funds ended abruptly, however the State was able to process quickly invoices up until March 31st and that there were other funding sources to make up the difference for FY 25 and anticipate that for FY 26. IL federal funding for crisis programming is not in jeopardy and hopefully that legislation will pass which includes a telephone surcharge that will make up the loss of federal funding.
- 32% of the funding is from the federal govt. ARPA was 13% and most of that was spent. There is an impact, however it will not break the department. SAMHSA discretionary funds may be in jeopardy however the state of IL does not fall into that category. Chris O'Hara opioid settlement funds, NAMI received 2-5 M dollars for a hotline. Those funds were separate from CESSA.
- Forensic update-dramatic increase of referrals to DHS from the courts-restoration for competency services for UST, and Not guilty by reason of insanity. The demand outweighs the dept ability to meet the demand. The department is determined to get ahead and an area where there has been momentum and hard work from Dr. Colemen. Able to add 177** additional forensic beds, hiring efforts, staffing is not preventing beds and added capacity with private hospital Ingalls Memorial hosp. lake in Waukegan, 48 beds from those two locations. Piloting Kankakee County jail to provide MH services within the jail for those individuals who are awaiting transfer, expanding that to McHenry. have been restoring a building Alden mental health center close to construction completion Spring 2026, 100 additional beds. Pre-trial success act-requires us to reduce ind. Pre-trial level by offering behavioral health services to recommend at the pre-trial level.
- Amy Starin asked for a merger between SUPR/DMH new Chief BH officer Dr. Burnett Ziegler, who continues to work with Dana Weiner DCFS spans all state government entities. It is necessary to build out these systems at an unprecedented collaboration and integration level. July 1st on target for the new Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. Working closely with the institute of health care delivery design to have a successful launch. Looking at other states who have done this. The state is late to the game, connecting with other states on lessons learned. Amy also asked administrative burden task force Darius is on that task force and Director Albert is not able to comment, however Dr. Ziegler understands the work is often overlapping, and we want to ensure that we address this issue.
Committee Reports:
- C&A (Chair- Michelle Churchey-Mims): committee did not meet in April due to Advocacy Day in Springfield. Next meeting is set for June 12 12:30pm.
- Development Committee: (Chair- Nanette Larson) no report
- Adult Inpatient (Chair-Open): no report
- Justice Committee Report: (Chair- Scott Block): Ron Melka reported minutes provided to committee. approved priorities for the block grant review with chairs on how to move those priorities forward. Outreach and Awareness, CESSA Jessica Gimeno to provide an update at the next meeting. Amy Starin asked if there were any family members with children or individuals with lived experience on that committee. This information would be available from the Development committee. Amy supports active recruitment for this. Matt Fishback responded that he is a family member and fills this role. Chris O'Hara asked when the next meeting is scheduled for TBD. Jessica shared the 3 objectives and priorities. Ray Connor shared that he is a family member for the IMHPAC committee.
- HFS Kristine Herman, Bureau Chief IHFS-not available to provide update/report
- New Business: None
- Public Comment: None
- Other Discussion: Joan Lodge, secretary, received communication from a council member regarding being able to approve meeting minutes via email in order not to delay. A review of Open Meeting Act will need to be taken under advisement to ensure council is not violating. Fred Friedman stated that he previously withdrew, however, he has made a resolution to try to stay more involved. Fred stated that he attended another meeting where programs which are funded by the federal government is the Veteran's Administration. The largest source of funding is concerning.
- Christina Smith shared SAMHSA biannual regarding block grant, they do not expect to get it out early the current administration will be doing some review in the application. We won't receive guidance until July. Scott Block did share the recommendations from the Criminal Justice Committee to review those and take those under advisement. Block grant application is due in Sept.
- Motion to adjourn made by Sue Schroeder meeting adjourned at 1:39pm
- Next Council meeting: July 10, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary
