Oak Park residents calling 911 for a mental health crisis will continue to get a counselor, not just a squad car, through the end of 2026.
The Village Board on Tuesday, June 16, approved an $83,000, six-month extension of its contract with Thrive Counseling Center, keeping the nonprofit's crisis workers paired with police on alternative-response calls through December 31, 2026. The vote (RES 26-213) maintains the program while the board's Finance Committee works to identify $472,676 in the 2027 budget for a permanent expansion of the village's ECHO program.
ECHO — Engaging Communities for Healthy Outcomes — is now in its second year. Currently, Thrive and ECHO handle 0.15% of calls for service. Under a planned Phase Two expansion, five new staff members would join the current three-person team at a projected annual cost of just over $600,000, of which $472,676 represents the net new funding needed in the 2027 budget after accounting for existing police-budget allocations. The board unanimously directed the Finance Committee to find that funding (MOT 26-176).
In discussion reported by the Wednesday Journal, not everyone was ready to spend. Trustee Jim Taglia said he wanted to ensure the program could be sustained for 10 to 20 years given projected operating deficits. Trustee Derek Eder said he wanted more information: "If it's a true alternative response I'd be interested." Trustees Brian Straw and Cory Wesley, along with Village President Vicki Scaman, were ready to move forward immediately.
Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Burch told the board the ultimate goal is for 911 dispatchers to send a Thrive crisis worker alone to non-criminal mental health calls — without police present — possibly as early as 2027. Burch said changes to the WestCom 911 dispatch system, which also serves River Forest and Forest Park, are expected to be completed late in 2026 and would make that possible for the first time.
The board also approved two other items at the June 16 meeting:
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance overhaul — A $128,000 amendment to the village's contract with Opticos Design, Inc. (RES 26-222) funds additional consulting services as Oak Park continues rewriting its inclusionary housing rules. The ordinance update was also presented as a report item (ID 26-399) at the same meeting.
Youth Engagement Program — The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Oak Park Township (RES 26-201) to participate in the township's Youth Engagement Program. Partners include Oak Park and River Forest public libraries, River Forest Park District, and River Forest School District 90.
The Finance Committee's work on ECHO permanent funding will unfold during the 2027 budget process. No specific hearing date has been announced.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Oak Park residents can reach Thrive Counseling Center directly at thrivecounselingcenter.org. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock by call or text at 988. NAMI's helpline is reachable Monday through Friday at 800-950-6264 or by texting "NAMI" to 741741.
