In 2024, the McHenry County Board added a referendum to the ballot, asking voters to consider removing Mental Health Board funding from property taxes and replacing it with a quarter percent sales tax.

For over a decade funding for Mental Health from the County Board had been relatively flat, despite the ever-increasing number of people in McHenry County who need and want services.

County Board Member Carolyn Campbell dedicated weeks to meeting with people throughout McHenry County to educate them about the history and likely future of Mental Health service funding, and the pros and cons of the referendum. This included planned and delivered presentations and Q&A sessions to residents through town hall panel discussions.

Voters approved the referendum and achieved a property tax cut of nearly $11 million and a new source of independent funding for Mental Health services.

Results of the referendum have been very positive.

“The budget numbers for 2025 prove decisively that voters approved a win-win when they passed the referendum – they eliminated a property tax levy and...as McHenry County’s sales tax revenues continue to increase, the Mental Health Board is in a much better position now to address mental health needs and challenges,” according to a statement made by Chairman Mike Buehler on behalf of the County.