ACMHAI December Membership Meetings | | |
ACMHAI members gathered in Schaumburg December 4–5 for two days of learning, collaboration, and organizational business, with strong participation both in person and virtually. The meetings highlighted ACMHAI’s commitment to advancing best practices in behavioral health, strengthening local boards, and shaping policy impacting communities across Illinois.
The December 4 Best Practice Training focused on grant management systems, collaborative approaches, cultural and linguistic competence, and funding models, using a roundtable format to share local innovations and challenges.
The December 5 business meeting opened with introductions and a moment of silence honoring the memory and service of former treasurer LeAnne Shoemaker, including news of ACMHAI’s contribution toward a memorial bench at Rock Springs Conservation Area in Macon County. Members adopted the FY26 Budget and approved a new Electronic Fund Transfer Policy to modernize financial procedures. Committee and legislative reports covered children’s behavioral health initiatives focused on universal screening tools, I/DD advocacy, 2026 legislative priorities and upcoming member engagement.
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Honoring Deborah Humphrey
ACMHAI President, Jason Holcomb, presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Deborah Humphrey, Executive Director, Madison County Mental Health Board, in gratitude for her transformative leadership and lasting contributions to the field of behavioral health and justice in Illinois. In addition to ACMHAI’s recognition, the Illinois General Assembly also honored Deborah’s service and retirement through the adoption of House Resolution 477, further highlighting her lasting impact. See the resolution, here.
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December 2026 meeting date poll
Planning is already underway for the ACMHAI December 2026 membership meetings in the Chicagoland area, and members are invited to indicate their date preferences through a brief poll. The options under consideration are December 3–4, 2026; December 10–11, 2026; No preference; or I am unlikely to attend in December 2026. Members who have not yet completed the poll are encouraged to do so, as responses will help ACMHAI select the dates that work best for the greatest number of members. Take the simple poll, here.
Save the Date: March 26–27, 2026
Members are also reminded that the next in-person membership meeting, with a virtual participation option, will be held March 26–27, 2026, at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. The best practice program is expected to feature leadership from state agencies and/or members of the legislature, with more details and registration information to be shared soon after the new year—stay tuned for updates.
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2026 Legislative Priorities
ACMHAI, through the work of its Legislative Committee, has updated and approved the Association’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, which will guide ACMHAI’s advocacy and policy agenda in the coming year. The priorities were reviewed by the standing committees with their input incorporated, and were presented to the full membership at the membership meeting earlier this month; they are now posted on the ACMHAI website for members to view, here.
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Mental Health Parity Legislation Signed Into Law!
House Bill 1085, a key mental health parity measure strongly supported by ACMHAI, has been signed into law (P.A. 104-0446), marking a major step forward for behavioral health access in Illinois. The new law establishes a reimbursement rate floor for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services under state-regulated insurance plans, helping to ensure fair payment to providers and stronger parity between physical and behavioral health care. Read the full bill text and track its status on the Illinois General Assembly website, here.
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Upcoming ACMHAI Standing Committee Meetings
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I/DD Committee: January 13, 2025 at 10:00 am | Zoom Link.
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Legislative Committee: January 20 at 9:00 am | Zoom Link
2025 Veto Session Calendar
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Children's Behavioral Health: January 22 | Zoom Link
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Membership Committee: January 27 at 9:00 am | Zoom Link
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ACMHAI Virtual Member Chat
January 7, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
– Open to All Members –
ACMHAI invites members to join an upcoming Virtual Member Chat—a relaxed, interactive session designed to help members make the most of their ACMHAI membership. This one-hour open chat will walk participants through how to access valuable member resources, sign up for and use the Member Forums, and navigate the ACMHAI website. Whether you are a new member looking to get started or a longtime member hoping to explore member website features, this informal session is the perfect way to connect, ask questions, and discover tools that can support your board work.
No registration is required—just drop in anytime between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm on January 7th.
To join the chat, click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85251877272?pwd=GjCoRGRuZXht3aLVHhd3T1gDw9lgyJ.1
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Thank you to all ACMHAI members who have already shared their updated levy information for the coming year. Your timely responses are helping us prepare for 2026 membership renewals and ensure accurate dues calculations. If you have not yet submitted your total board levy amount for 2025—or 2026 if available—please email that information to jdart@acmhai.org at your earliest convenience.
Your membership plays a vital role in advancing ACMHAI’s mission to strengthen and support local behavioral health authorities across Illinois. Together, we continue building a strong network for advocacy, learning, and collaboration.
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