Casey Anthony - County Board - District C (incumbent)

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1441 S. Plum Ave, 

Freeport, IL 61032

815-297-4427 

canthony@stephensoncountyil.gov

Link to video LWV Meet and Greet Introduction, (2 minutes), January 30, 2024

Casey is a lifelong resident of Stephenson County who has a passion for service.  Casey was raised in an agricultural family,  specifically in the dairy cow business.  Casey started her professional career with Teach for America teaching middle school in Mississippi.  Seeing the many racial and socioeconomic disparities led Casey to become interested in social work upon moving back to the area.

Casey is now the Chief Quality and Program Officer at the Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home, in Freeport, a girls' residential home for youth struggling with mental illness and trauma.  Casey also coaches girls' track at Freeport High School.  Casey has been a county board member since 2017, representing District C, within the heart of Freeport.  Casey ran for the County Board to continue her passion to serve others and improve the community we all live in. 

She wants to ensure that the citizens are knowledgeable about the services the county offers and that they have access to the services.  Casey also has committed to continuing her efforts by advocating for the Stephenson Nursing Center (Walnut Acres) to remain owned and operated by the county.

Casey currently serves on Court Services as Vice-Chair and serves on Public Property and Safety. Her term expires in 2024

What is the 708 Mental Health Board?

The Stephenson County 708 Mental Health Board has seven members who are all volunteers from the community. No compensation is received by any member nor per diem expenses. Grant applications are received each year and the Board evaluates the need of each agency and how available dollars will be distributed. Currently nine local agencies receive 708 grants. Meetings are devoted to 708 Board operational matters and agency reports of funded programs. All meetings comply with the Open Meetings Act and the public is invited. This website posts Board members, agencies, the current year’s meeting dates, times, and location, the meeting agenda and the annual budget.

How we were created.

Illinois passed the Community Mental Health Act (CMHA) in 1963. This act gives local governing bodies, which most often are counties, the authority to establish by referendum a 708 Mental Health Board. Stephenson County passed such a referendum in 1967. Levied tax dollars as defined by the CMHA are distributed annually to various county agencies. The levy is $0.005 of assessed property value. These agencies provide services to meet the needs for mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, crisis intervention, maintenance of independent living along with other programs of support to schools, law enforcement, health providers and community groups.