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This week, I was honored to participate in a town hall on mental health, hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago's Undergraduate Student Government as part of their Mental Health Week series.
As I was preparing for the event, I started thinking about how much things have changed over the past six years.
When I first joined the House, in 2019, I was deeply concerned about the pressing need to help people across Illinois get access to affordable, professional mental health care.
Under the previous governor, the State of Illinois went almost two full years without a budget, which had devastating impacts on our mental health service infrastructure. Many providers were forced to shut their doors permanently. Others cut back staffing and hours, so people in crisis were forced to wait months to get the help they desperately needed.
We were already starting to get things back on track when Covid struck, which really focused public attention on mental health as a crucial aspect of healthcare. Now, as I look back, I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far:
- We've made it easier for out-of-state mental health clinicians to get licensed in Illinois.
- We've increased the number of beds in residential mental health treatment centers.
- We created new laws to guarantee insurance coverage for medically necessary mental healthcare services.
- We've required insurance reimbursement parity for virtual mental health and substance use disorder services.
More recently, we passed HB 2784, which established a coordinated first responder system that integrates 911 and the new 988 emergency response numbers, specifically for mental health emergencies. The bill aims to reduce the number of arrests for individuals with mental illnesses, by calling in a specialized, mobile response intervention team rather than a police unit.
Here at home, my office has been working hard to help people in DuPage County access services. We collaborated with mental health providers and advocates to hold our own Mental Health Town Hall, to talk about what the state of Illinois is doing to promote mental health, where gaps exist in our mental health safety net, and how we can do more to help people who are living with mental illness.
I also hosted a Mental Health Roundtable with representatives from more than 20 organizations and agencies that serve people throughout DuPage County. By bringing people together, we were able to spark some conversations about how to collaborate in creating new opportunities to improve access to mental health services.
Just last fall, we teamed up with other legislators to host a Mental Health Resource Fair at College of DuPage, to showcase organizations throughout DuPage County that provide mental health resources and support. We also launched the DuPage Council on Strengthening the System for Mental Health and Substance Use Care. In addition, we broke ground this week on the Crisis Recovery Center. (You can read more about this exciting new project below.)
It was great to be a part of this important discussion, and to hear these thoughtful young people talking about the need to improve mental health access for all.
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Breaking ground for DuPage County's new Crisis Recovery Center
On Monday, I was honored to pick up a shovel and join my colleagues in the General Assembly, county officials, health and community partners, and local first responders to help break ground for our new Crisis Recovery Center (CRC) for DuPage County, opening in summer of 2025. (That's me in my trusty blue blazer!)
This center, located on the DuPage County Health Department campus in Wheaton, will provide immediate treatment for people experiencing serious mental health crises, including substance abuse, and will serve as an entry point to access community resources for continued treatment and support.
I'm very pleased that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $5.5 million to establish this much-needed new facility. To learn more about the CRC, you can click here.
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LOCATION CHANGE! Bring recyclables to the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton SATURDAY
You're invited to bring in everything from bikes to books to batteries at the City of Wheaton’s annual Recycling Extravaganza, from 8:30 to noon at the DuPage Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road.
The drive-through event is presented in partnership with the City of Wheaton, Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, SCARCE, DuPage County, DuPage County Sheriff's Office, eWorks, Wheaton Lions Club, Working Bikes, Soccer Gear for Zambia, Melba's Place, AmeriGas, Interstate Battery, and Earth Paint.
For more information, including the LONG list of items welcomed for recycling, you can call SCARCE at 630-545-9710 or click here.
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Don't throw away those solar eclipse glasses! Donate them in Lisle this month
Tuesday's solar eclipse was amazing. It was awe-inspiring to see so many people take time away from their daily lives to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.
My office helped to distribute eclipse glasses to a thousand of our constituents, and it was gratifying to see so many local institutions making the glasses available as well.
But now that the eclipse is over, we want to make sure all those glasses don't end up in our landfills. The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University, at 5700 College Road in Lisle, is collecting undamaged glasses for Eclipse Glasses USA throughout the month of April. The glasses will be donated to children in Latin America, so they can safely watch the next solar eclipse in August. (Sorry – this one won't be visible in the United States.)
You can click here to find more information on the Eclipse Glasses USA program.
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C'est magnifique! Wheaton French Market returns on SATURDAY
The Wheaton French Market is back!
The market will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting April 13 through October. (There will be shorter hours to finish the season in November.)
The market will once again be held under the City’s downtown pavilion, just south of the railroad tracks near Main Street and Liberty Drive.
Please note that Liberty Drive will be closed between Main Street and Cross Street (including Municipal Lot 3) every Saturday until approximately 3 p.m. during the French Market season.
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Next week is Restaurant Week in Lisle
The Village of Lisle is excited to highlight local restaurants from Tuesday, April 16, through Friday, April 19 during Lisle Restaurant Week!
Experience classic and modern cuisine from independently owned restaurants, including Italian, American, Asian, Mexican, casual fare, and more. From multi-course meals to unique offerings, Lisle Restaurant Week is the perfect time to try something new.
You can learn more and find a list of participating restaurants here.
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Give at Lombard's Blood Drive TUESDAY
The Village of Lombard is hosting a Spring Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 16.
The drive will begin at the lower level of Yorktown Shopping Center, outside of Von Maur, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will continue at the Fellowship Hall of the First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main Street, from 1:30 to 7:00 p.m.
By donating blood, you can make a life-saving difference for people who are ill or injured. And this month, every blood donor will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a pontoon boat.
To schedule a donation time slot or for more information, please contact Blood Drive Coordinator Carol Bauer at (630) 620-5712 or visit here.
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Learn more about comets in Naperville TUESDAY
Keep watching the skies! This spring, the comet 12P Pons-Brooks is heading back toward earth, for the first time in more than 70 years.
This Tuesday, April 16, Ron Ziss of the Naperville Astronomical Association will talk about this historic comet's return in a special presentation, "Comets: Past, Present, and Future," from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.
The public is welcome to attend, free of charge. You can learn more and see a full list of their public events here.
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Meet therapy dogs and learn about dog safety at Tails and Tales WEDNESDAY
Children are invited to meet therapy dogs, listen to a story, and find out more about engaging with dogs safely at Tails and Tales, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road.
This event is for children ages 2 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult, who can learn about the stress-relieving, wellness-boosting benefits of spending time with therapy dogs, provided by Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy in Morton Grove.
Registration is required for children only; there is a $7 fee for each child. To register, you can click here.
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Lisle Library District is collecting donations for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
The Lisle Library District has partnered with the Lisle Woman's Club to help the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. From now through April 20, you can donate items in the Library's main lobby, at 777 Front Street.
Needed items include paper towels, napkins, all-purpose cleaner, paper plates, and resealable plastic bags.
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DuPage County launches texting option for 211 info helpline
DuPage County residents seeking health and human services can now find assistance by texting the County's free 211 information and referral line.
Residents can text their ZIP code to 898211 to connect with a County operator, who can provide referrals to assistance available near them. Texting service will be available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Residents seeking help can still dial 2-1-1 or visit 211dupage.gov to find services near them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Support Lombard's Chamber at the Lilac Ball
With the lilacs getting ready to burst into bloom, it's time to buy your tickets to the Lombard Chamber of Commerce Lilac Ball, to be held on May 10 at The Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield Road in Lombard.
Tickets include a cocktail hour with appetizers, dinner with an open bar, and dancing. There will be games with prizes donated by Lombard businesses, as well as a live auction of "Lombard experiences."
Please get your tickets by Apr. 22. To learn more and buy tickets, you can click here.
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You can still place orders for Glen Ellyn's Kiwanis hanging basket/Vidalia Onion Sale
The Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn is hosting its annual sale of hanging flower baskets and Vidalia onions, to raise money for children in our community.
To order a hanging flower basket, you can click here. You also can order a bag (or more!) of Vidalia onions, now through April 29, by clicking here.
Additional information and order forms can be found here.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Apr. 20: Shred Event in Lisle, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Sea Lion Aquatic Park Parking Lot, 1825 Short Street
Apr. 20: 2K Glow Run/Walk in Glen Ellyn, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ackerman Park, 800 St. Charles Road
Apr. 20: Safe, Free Viewing of the Sun, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Naperville Riverwalk, by Dandelion Fountain
Apr. 20-26: Glen Ellyn Park District's Earth Week, at various locations
Apr. 27: Glen Ellyn Recycling Extravaganza, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd, in Parking Lot #6 (from Lambert, West on College Road).
Apr. 27: Free Public Stargazing, from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at the Naperville Astronomical Association's Astronomy Education Center, 3712 Plainfield-Naperville Road
Apr. 30: Glen Ellyn Community Blood and Food Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
May 3: Family Bingo Night in Glen Ellyn, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
May 4: DuPage River Sweep: Lake Ellyn Clean-Up, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road
May 4: Glen Ellyn Park District's Touch-A-Truck, from 10 a.m. to noon at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave.
May 4: May the Course Be with You Tournament, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holes & Knolls, 845 Pershing Ave.
May 10: Kids on the Course in Glen Ellyn, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holes & Knolls, 845 Pershing Ave.
May 18: Lombard Park District's Mutt Strut 5k & 1 Mile, at 8 a.m. at Lilacia Park, 150 S Park Ave
May 20: B.R. Ryall YMCA's Annual Meeting and Champions Dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53 in Glen Ellyn
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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