During the months before the election, amidst both the positive and the negative campaigning, the words of Grundy County Board member Frank Halpin impressed me as he commented on a seldom discussed, somewhat taboo, and often disregarded social issue — mental illness.

When asked by the Morris Daily Herald to identify and address the greatest challenge, besides the economy and job growth, facing Grundy County, he said this: “The increase in health needs mainly mental health due to state closing of facilities and financial restraints locally. Addressing these problems with less state and federal funds is a daunting task that I hope board members can work on.”