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Thornton Township starts mental health tour for youth

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (May 11, 2023) – The Thornton Township Board met on Tuesday, May 9. Mental health was one of the main points during the meeting.

Agenda and approvals

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. All township trustees were present with Trustee Darlene Gray-Everett joining by phone.

  • Approval of Minutes of the Special Board Meeting held April 10, 2023 at 6:00pm
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Washington, Gonzalez, Gray-Everett and Supervisor Henyard voting yes
  • Approval of General Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; Trustee Gonzalez voting no; and Trustee Washington passing.
  • Approval of General Assistance Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; Trustee Gonzalez voting no; and Trustee Washington passing.
  • Approval of Road and Bridge Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, Gonzalez and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustee Washington passing.
  • Approval of Resolution 23-R-003 Transfer of Appropriation for The General Assistance Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustees Gonzalez and Washington passing.
  • Approval of Resolution 23-R-004 Transfer of Appropriation for The General Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustees Gonzalez and Washington passing.
  • Approval of Resolution 23-R-005 Transfer of Appropriation for The Road & Bridge Fund
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustees Gonzalez and Washington passing.
  • Approval of Resolution 23-R-006 Authorizing Participation In The State Of Illinois Treasurer’s Local Government Investment Pool (“The Illinois Funds”) For Thornton Township
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustees Gonzalez and Washington passing.
  • Ratify Phone Poll conducted on April 25, 2023 approval of Bills
    • Passed with Trustees Jones, Gray-Everett, Gonzalez, Washington and Supervisor Henyard voting yes.

During the Approval of Resolution 23-R-006, Trustee Jones asked for an explanation. Township attorney Tiffany Nelson-Jaworski explained the funds are a conglomerate of investments protected by the state of Illinois. To participate in the program, the township board had to agree to file an application for it. 

Director of Finance Robert Hunt further explained that funds have a 4.8% annual percentage yield, which beats their current rate by 3.8%. The funds are from tax dollars which can not be used all at once.

Mental health focus

During the Supervisor’s Report, Henyard mentioned a mental health tour that was started for students within the township. The tour consists of a mini-concert for youth, followed by a mental health discussion.The featured artist for the tour is iAmDLow, best known for his song and dance “The DLow Shuffle”. 

Though local electors narrowly voted against a recent township referendum that would have established a mental health board, Henyard believes the topic is important and should be addressed.

“I want to encourage everybody to keep pushing mental health awareness and keep educating everyone about it,” said Henyard. 

iAmDLow is creating an exclusive dance for the township youth to inspire them and let them know they are not alone. Henyard plans to visit all schools within the township for the tour. 

Upcoming events

  • May 12 – Fine Dining Etiquette Class
  • May 14 – Mother’s Day Brunch
  • May 18 – Big Bingo
  • May 24 – Township Talk
  • May 25 – Senior Edge Educational Series
  • May 28 – Showtime at the Apollo

Details for each event can be found on the township’s event page.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2023. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. at Thornton Township Hall, 333 East 162nd Street, South Holland.

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Quinton R. Arthur
Quinton R. Arthur
Quinton received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Science in Journalism from Roosevelt University. In addition to reporting for The Lansing Journal and the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle, he volunteers with 100 Black Men of Chicago, Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Burst Into Books, and various other organizations. A south suburban resident since 2004, Quinton is passionate about telling the unsung stories of the community.