Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The newly-formed Sangamon County Mental Health Committee — formed as the result of a successful referendum during the March primary election — has the beginnings of a structure.

The committee held its first meeting Wednesday afternoon.  This comes after voters approved of the formation of the committee during the March primary election, and okayed a quarter-cent increase in the county sales tax to pay for mental health services.

“We know right now it’s easy right now for people to hang out in their own silos, to be behind walls,” said Brian McFadden, County Administrator, to the committee.  “We hope you take the opportunity to use this funding to knock those walls down and get people out of their silos, and get people working together.  I think that’s just step one, that’s just a basic improvement that needs to happen.”

Among the matters the committee discussed during their first meeting were mostly house-keeping in nature:  okaying recommending the committee expand from seven to nine, once the County board approves.  They also will work on hiring an executive director, and will consider an intergovernmental agreement with Sangamon County that will help it operate.

The committee also selected officers that will serve until the end of November, at which time full terms will take effect.  One of those elected was retired Judge Steve Nardulli.

“Understanding that a lot of work that we do during the first year is going to be, essentially, staff work, I think this board is capable of providing some very valuable and much needed service to the people of Sangamon County,” said Nardulli.  “I say this with a word of caution:  We are a long way from doing the real work this board is contemplated by the Massey Commission and the Mental Health Commission.  We must build a strong foundation for the work that comes later.”

One of the issues Nardulli wants to try to solve sooner rather than later, is one he says he’s been puzzled by for a long time.

“I have not understood why there isn’t an organization of Sangamon County mental health service providers, to get together and compare their services and act — I apologize for using this word — collaboratively,” said Nardulli.

The committee believes an advisory group will need to be formed of those professionals.

It’s estimated the sales tax increase could generate as much as $15 million annually for mental health-related services in Sangamon County.

The officers of the  Sangamon County Mental Health Committee are:

Judge Steve Nardulli (retired), Chairman
Brian Wojcicki, Vice Chair
Jennifer Douglas, Secretary
TBD, Treasurer