Lilly’s Family Centers Bill Will Increase Access to Mental Health Services for Families

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In her fight to expand mental health services to families throughout Illinois, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation to create local family centers aimed at providing necessary services to those in need.

“If you don’t have your health, you don’t have much else,” said Lilly. “Everyone needs help along the way eventually, and I believe it is important to take a proactive role to help prevent people from suffering from their ills.”

Lilly’s House Bill 2247 asks the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create local family centers across Illinois to serve families who rely on counseling and mental health services. DHS will be tasked with hiring social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other mental health professionals to administer these services to needy families. Lilly is focused on providing services to the most vulnerable population and improving their access to affordable mental health and counseling services.

“We have to better protect those in need, and we should start treating mental health issues as real problems, ending the negative stigma around them,” said Lilly. “These family centers will be equipped to help people across the state access the life-saving services they need for their treatment.”