Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advising Council Meeting Minutes
(approved by Members 09/04/2025)
Council Member Attendees: Amy Starin, Chris O'Hara, Fred Friedman, Jacob Meeks, Jessica Gimeno, Joan Lodge, Matt Fisback, Marianne Bithos, Nanette Larson, Patty Johnstone, Ray Connor, Ron Melka, Sarah Robinson-Torress, Scott Block, Shane Hassler, Sid Weisman, Sue Schroeder, Thane Dykstra and Tiffany Burnett.
Other Attendees: Director Albert, Nic Pleshe, Lisa Betz, Courtney Aldrich, Barabara Hobrock, Sarah Littrell IL State Board of Education, Valencia King, Allie Lichterman, Judy King, Lora George, Amanda Lake
Call to Order/Introductions: 12:35 pm meeting called to order by Ray Connor
Approval of May minutes: made by Ron Melka, Fred Friedman raised his hand to abstain from voting. Seconded by Amy Starin. Members approved Minutes May.
Division of Mental Health Report: (Director Albert, Nic Pleshe, Lisa Betz, Nanette Larson)
Director Albert announced that the Division is now officially Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery as of July 1st. The division will continue to prepare in the launch and the integration work. Goal is to make efficiencies for providers, for staff and most importantly for clients to ensure that they get access to valuable services. New page: dhs.illinois.gov/dbhr.
FY 26027 MH Block Grant-Nicolas Pleshe the full application is due September 1st. the division is currently reviewing instructions and starting to work on the application. A special meeting is scheduled for August 15th at 1:00pm and will be posted on the open meeting page. DBHR will provide a draft prior to meeting. The IMHPAC committees Criminal Justice committee to review goals or indicators along with Child and Adol committee. Scott Block spoke of supreme courts preparing to submit SUD along with MH block grant applications and he inquired whether DHS was doing the same with the merging of the two departments. Per DBHR at this time the focus will only be MH in the future possibly combined applications.
Dr. Sharon Coleman-Forensic update: Announced expansion of community-based Lake Behavioral Health in Waukegan of 24 beds like the State Hospital in Harvey, increase capacity to 12 beds=total of 36 beds specifically for fitness restoration. Piloting Jail based MH services Kankakee County jail, 20 beds providing jail-based MH services, while they are waiting for a DHS bed, second pilot is in McHenry County and looking for future expansion in Southern IL. Director Albert toured the construction of Willow at the Alton campus, adding 100 forensic beds. Scheduled completion is 2/2026.
Fred Friedman raised his hand general question, increasing beds from 24 to 36? But how many people need those services but can't get them. Dr. Coleman 48 additional admissions per year, avg LOS is 3 1/2 months. It will not resolve the wait list crisis, but it will have an impact. Those 36 beds avg LOS is 90 days. The Wait list is currently 200 individuals, more appropriate for State Facility or maximum security at Sheridan. Chris O'Hara asked do you keep a count annually of wait list; Director Coleman responded that they do keep a count, it fluctuates, the wait has increased over the past several years, however we are admitting individuals sooner. For Fitness restoration the statute if charged with a felony up to a year to provide fitness, but LOS remains 3-4 months. NGR-instances who have been with the division for decades. Admissions flow through the court system and judges are making these decisions.
Amanda Lake-shared information on the substance use area advisory council, discussed array of continuum of services and integrating crisis services for both populations SUD/MH.
Allie Lichterman-Crisis Community Administrator: gave an update on Community Emergency Services Support Act CESSA which is a law that passed to provide a behavioral health response for individuals who are in crisis to divert from a law enforcement. CESSA legislation should be signed soon to extend to 7/2027 to make this a system that will work and add protocols for BH and law enforcement for transportation or commitment. Jessica Gimeno-Access Living added the importance of diverting to local resources to assist individuals. She shared the story of Stephon Watts who was autistic and having an episode, multiple officers responded and resulted in his death. The purpose of CESSA is to have behavioral health response by peers or MH clinicians to assist versus legal. Fred Friedman asked what is the overall need? Allie responded that 10% of calls to police are BH related. MCRT are helping but not able to meet the acuity need of some individuals. Allie shared 988 update: the federal government ended the line for LGBTQ and IDHS will be shutting down this option for individuals to select line 3. However, we will provide competent care to all individuals who call.
Lisa Betz-Beacon is a BH access tool, children's behavioral health initiative, online resources to link families to services and if the family needs assistance with connecting to services, they can request this and get help within 24 hours 8 FTE individuals focused on providing help to families to link with resources. Lisa reported high usage and positive outcomes; 9321 visits to the website, 100 visits per day. Individuals accessing Beacon shift 70% were using a computer versus phone. Amy Starin asked if the site is for anyone, response yes, relatives, community-based providers looking for additional services.
Nanette Larson-CRSS for Success program-certified recovery support specialist, CPRS has issued grants to post-secondary institutions, CMHC Vision Unlimited in Chicago to run as a pilot, report; FY 25 data of the 12 program sites originally; total of 1,270 students have enrolled since began in Feb. 2022. Age 17-75 mean age of 41. 45% program completion rate, 29% discontinued, 26% continue to be enrolled overall, 75% remain in the program. 300% increase in workforce due to CRSS/CPRS, however they may not have gone through this specific program.
Committee Reports:
- C&A (Chair- Michelle Churchey-Mims): Amy Starin did not meet in April, however in February Christina Smith reviewed block grant and the goals related to child services.
- Development Committee: (Chair- Nanette Larson) Revised By-laws were sent out to members two months in advance for review any feedback was included. Goal to vote and approve by-laws at today's meeting, approve with change from DMH to DBHR. Nanette made a motion to approve the bylaws with the modification, second by Scott Block. Discussion by Amy Starin, no concerns with bylaws however, asked about the purpose statement and if the council should be doing all these things as it appears the council is not. Nanette shared that the council needs to be following the bylaws.
- Motion by Ron Melka, seconded by Scott Block. However, further discussion ensued about the role of members and purpose of the council. Motion approved by the council and by-laws were passed. Nanette reported two resignations from the council and from the development committee and child and adol, committee. Goal to develop membership of the council. Working on membership packet to advertise to get individuals interested in joining the council. Director Albert introduced Barbara Hobrock DBHR who has offered to discuss Robert's Rules to ensure the council complies and the integrity of our work occurs by law.
- Fred Friedman responded that what this council does is hugely important.
- Adult Inpatient (Chair-Open): no report
- Justice Committee Report: (Chair- Scott Block): in need of members to join. Report reference to block grant and strategic initiatives remain in line and related upstream approval Juvenile Justice programming, justice involved or at risk-recommendation to continue this initiative and have source of referral metrics. The second initiative Dr. Coleman reported on was outpatient fitness restoration. Goal to use the least restrictive level of care, and JC would like to continue this initiative. The third goal is related to jail data link program-included in the plan in the past, but no dollars attached to that program, recommend removal of that goal from the plan and replace it with a civil justice initiative least restrictive level of care, by tracking the # of petitions for involuntary outpatient commitment aka Assisted outpatient treatment.
HFS Kristine Herman, Bureau Chief IHFS-not available to provide update/report
New Business: Amy Starin asked if there are other updates from other state departments? Such as ISBE. Currently not on the agenda but could be per Ray-chair. Chris O'Hara asked what role the members had on the council who resigned. Nanette reported that both Shirley Davis and Mike Davis have both resigned from the council who held consumer roles. The council must have 51% of membership of consumers or lived experience.
Public Comment: Lora George-Lived Experience self and family, BSW and pursuing MSW. Works at Rosecrance in Crisis Residential and previously in Living Room Program. Lora feels there is a need for follow up and has a plan for discharge. Nanette Larson thanked her for attending and for her interest in the council. Lora to contact Nanette via email if interested in pursuing membership.
Other Discussion: none
Motion to adjourn by Scott Block, seconded by Ron Melka meeting adjourned at 2:12 pm
Next Council meeting: September 4, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Lodge, IMHPAC Secretary
