Mental health levy fails in Champaign, Logan counties

Voters have rejected a two-year, 0.3-mill levy that would have raised funds for the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties.

The levy failed in Champaign County but passed in Logan County, according to unofficial returns from the elections boards in both counties. However, because the levy vote was cumulative for both counties, it failed overall.

“I am shocked and sad,” Tammy Nicholl, Board President of the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties said.

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The levy failed in Champaign County with by a vote of 2,82o in favor to 2,025 opposed, according to unofficial results from the Champaign County Board of Elections. In Logan County, the levy passed with 2,186 votes in favor and 1,639 votes against, according to unofficial results from the Logan County Board of Elections.

The levy was in response to an increased need for mental health and substance abuse counseling and prevention services, according to the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan & Champaign Counties website.

“I really thought the facts spoke for themselves in terms of the level of need. The decline in students self esteem, purpose and positive view of the future,” Nicholl said. “The data isn’t from some big city, far away, this is us. We need more resources to effectively address these needs.”

The two-year levy was expected to generate $644,300 per year and was projected to cost the owner of a $100,000 residence $10.50 per year.

“The board will now regroup and decide what direction to take next,” Nicholl said.

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