VOTE YES
In March, Sangamon County voters will decide whether to create a county mental health board funded by a small, dedicated sales tax (“Creation of mental health board will be up to voters,” Jan. 29). As a pediatrician and president of the Sangamon County Medical Society, I strongly support voting yes.
Mental health needs in our community are real, growing and more visible than ever. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen sharp increases in anxiety, depression, substance use and mental health crises, especially among children and adolescents. These challenges affect those in our community, including families, schools, workplaces, emergency rooms and law enforcement every day.
Sangamon County has many dedicated nonprofit organizations working to address these needs. However, too many programs are limited by unstable funding, reduced hours, staffing shortages or long waitlists. The demand for services now far exceeds what our current system can provide.
The proposed mental health board, also called a 708 Board, would create a stable, local funding source to strengthen and expand mental health and substance use services. Many counties in Illinois already have one. These boards do not replace existing programs; they help them grow so services can be deeper, broader and more reliable.
I know that no one is eager to pay higher taxes, and Illinois residents already carry a significant tax burden. However, this proposal is modest and limited. The 0.5% sales tax equals five cents on a $10 purchase and does not apply to groceries or medications. If approved, it would generate more than $14 million each year, and those dollars would stay right here at home in Sangamon County to support our neighbors with mental health and substance use services. Importantly, the County Board would appoint the mental health board members and hold them accountable for how funds are used.
On March 17, Sangamon County voters can take a practical step to improve access to mental health care. A yes vote will support local providers, reduce gaps in care and help our community respond to growing mental health needs. The board of directors of the Sangamon County Medical Society has already endorsed this referendum. I encourage residents to vote yes as well.
Shreepada Tripathy, MD
president, Sangamon County Medical Society
NO NEW TAXES
We already pay too much in taxes. If you want 0.5%, then find 0.5% to cut somewhere.
Roger Conrad
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
GET THE FACTS
It was interesting to hear Mike Murphy at the Citizens Club meeting say he went in thinking no way they could convince him to do a tax increase to pay for this, but after talking to so many folks he now thinks that doing this is the right way to go. If you don’t think this should pass, I would listen to the facts and where things are in the community and in other communities before you make your mind up.
Cathy Schwartz
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
FREE, WITH TIME LMITS
I just read Jim Krohe’s article about the state of parking in downtown Springfield (“Dumb. Outmoded. Unusable.,” Jan. 22). He is correct that in regards to parking, to coin a phrase, “You know if you know,” and if you don’t, it will cost you. His idea of “shouting from the rooftops that street parking is free all the time” is, in fact, incorrect. Parking is free for a limited amount of time (depending on the location), at which time you are required to either move your vehicle to another block or risk being subjected to the issuance of a $10 parking ticket by the city’s roving foot patrol.
I speak as a veteran of these parking wars after 27 years working for the state and being on the receiving end of more than my share of these $10 awards, along with a few $50 special awards for being parked in a block that was deemed a no parking zone by police order after I was already parked there. I disputed those and won them both.
Mark E. Anderson
Springfield
NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE
I’m in the process of moving back to the area and recently met family downtown. I went to feed a meter and noticed it was shut off. There was no signage letting me know it was free. I had no idea until I read this article (“Dumb. Outmoded. Unusable.,” Jan. 22). The family I was meeting lives downtown and they told me it’s free after 5 p.m. They’ve lived downtown for years and apparently have no idea, either.
John Theodor
Chatham
WELCOME BACK
So glad to see Jim Krohe is back. I always enjoyed his articles, and this one is spot on – can’t wait to read more. It has been a long time since I last saw Jim at Springfield High School.
Carolee McGaw
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in February 5-11, 2026.
