In 2016, when it became apparent Donald Trump was going to be the Republican nominee for President, I decided to support the Libertarian nominee, Gary Johnson, a two term Governor of New Mexico. I am proud to have voted for the Libertarian nominee for President. My opponent in this campaign for McLean County Board is the Republican incumbent, Chuck Erickson. Recently he listed achievements the McLean County Republican Party had accomplished under his leadership, as Chair. One was that the Republican Party had provided the resources to help Donald Trump win McLean County. Excuse me, but I don't understand how anyone could be proud of helping elect Donald Trump.
LIST OF ISSUES
Health
According to The Pantagraph, "The McLean County Nursing Home has been plagued by low census numbers, and the facility is widely acknowledged to be outdated for the times, though many measurements of the care delivered still show superior quality." "McLeanCounty Board Chair John McIntyre named a Blue Ribbon Panel to look at the McLean County Nursing Home" that he believes may make a consultant study previously approved by the board unnecessary. The Blue Ribbon Panel has delivered its report and I support their recommendations for short term improvements that can be made immediately this budget year without capital expenditures. Beyond that, I support a study being conducted by a consultant because they are equipped to deliver more meaningful studies regarding long term actions. Ideally the Blue Ribbon Panel would serve as an advisory committee for the study.
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The consultant's study needs to develop a 25-year master plan for the nursing home that includes a new facility given the existing facility was constructed in the 70's. It also needs to contain an evaluation of the current five-year capital improvement plan and whether or not that fits into the 25-year master plan. Most importantly an economic analysis needs to be conducted to help the board determine given these plans whether or not McLean County should move forward with a new facility and stay in the nursing home business. Also, an exit plan for leaving the nursing home business should be included in the study to answer questions regarding what the process would need to be should the nursing home need to be closed or sold.
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I support the four-year pilot program for housing for people with mental disabilities. "Over time, the savings from keeping people out of hospitals and jails offset the cost of the housing initiative, according to the Pay for Success model. After five years the savings are expected to total about $552,000 which would be reinvested in housing and services, according to information shared with the McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council." It will be important to make sure these savings are attained before moving forward with an ongoing program. Accordingly cuts will be needed in the budget for the jail so that those funds can be transferred to providing housing for people with mental disabilities.
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Providing mental health services to students is also service that I believe holds a lot of promise for our community. Therefore I support the Embedded School-Based Service Pilot Project. The project provides therapists from Chestnut Health Systems and McLean County Center for Human Services to schools who are available to meet with students who have a mental health concern. For too long health has focused only on physical well being. I is important and timely that we explore ways to expand coverage to those with mental health issues.
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Recently I was able to attend a Benefit Concert for Mental Health Awareness sponsored by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) at Nightspot as a part of celebrating May as Mental Health Awareness Month. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. As a person familiar with mental illness (ADHD) I am very interested in helping"end the stigma around mental illness,"
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I am in favor of using the former McLean County Health Department Building as a Veterans Administration (VA) clinic. The VA Illiana Health Care System is planning a clinic in McLean County and the Old Health Department Building has been suggested by county officials. The VA Secretary has approved the plan for a clinic in McLean County. The VA will conduct a market assessment and request proposals from owners of new or existing properties. Currently McLean County veterans seeking service from the VA must travel to Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, Mattoon or Danville.