| Who We Are |
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's foremost grassroots mental health organization. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people living with serious brain disorders that cause mental illness and to improving the lives of their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI is active in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico with over 1100 local chapters across the country. Our mission is one of education, support, self help, advocacy and research.
NAMI Barrington Area is a new NAMI chapter located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We are a dedicated group of people serving Barrington and nearby suburbs hoping to help you or someone you love on the path to recovery from mental illness. Call us at 847-496-1415.
About NAMI Barrington area chapter
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Many Thanks!
by Hugh Brady
It's time to thank the folks who make NAMI Barrington area work.
More than 40 people attended our annual membership and business meeting on Tuesday, November 17.
On the official side, we adopted a budget for 2010 and elected 12 people to the Board of Directors. We also heard about the great work that Board member Mary Holcomb is doing with the Barrington School District's suicide prevention and mental health awareness effort, Project H.E.R.E. As part of the Project, Mary has done a great deal of community outreach. She has organized well-attended speaker meetings, and distributed a large amount of information about mental health, mental illness, and the services NAMI BA provides. Thank you Mary.
My part of the evening's program included a look at what we have accomplished so far this year. To prepare for my part of the presentation, I reviewed the quarterly statistical reports we file with NAMI Illinois' office in Springfield. The more I typed the more I was amazed. Consider the following:
· This year we taught four Family-to-Family classes which together enrolled more than 100 people.
· We responded to more than 550 requests for information.
· Not including this issue, we sent out more than 4,500 copies of News and Notes from NAMI Barrington Area!
· We sponsored 12 sessions of In Our Own Voice, which reached over 250 individuals, both family members and consumers.
· We held 20 support group meetings, which provided help to more than 100 people.
The list goes on and on.
Thank you to everyone who made it possible - the F2F teachers, Board members who responded to requests for information and assistance, everyone who wrote for the newsletter, our newsletter editors, the IOOV presenters, the support group facilitators - everyone.
NAMI BA is a great organization that provides education, support and advocacy to hundreds of people living with the problems of mental illness. To do that requires lots of hard work by lots and lots of people.
You do more good than you may realize.
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Family to Family Winter Classes
It's time to register for Family to Family, a series of 12 weekly classes structured to help you understand and support individuals with mental disorders while maintaining your own well being.
These NAMI classes are for family members, partners and friends of individuals with serious mental illness. "This course is a wonderful experience," said one student. "It balances basic education and skills-training with emotional support, self care and empowerment."
There is no cost to participate in a Family to Family class, you don't need to be a NAMI member, and it doesn't matter if you live in a particular chapter's area to attend a class. Just pick out a date and location that's convenient. Please note, however, that registration is necessary as class size is limited.
Barrington Area Chapter
At Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights: Wednesdays, starting February 3, 6-9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
In Barrington: Tuesdays, starting January 19, 6 - 9 p.m. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chapter
In Chicago at the NMH Feinberg Pavillion: Thursday nights starting December 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Call Barbara at 312-664-5141
In Chicago at the Fourth Presbyterian Church: Monday nights starting January 25, 6 - 8:30 p.m. Call Barbara at 312-664-5141
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December Events
Wednesday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. NAMI Northwest Suburban Potluck Dinner at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights. Bring a favorite dish to share. Baked chicken and beverages will be provided. Please call 847-899-0195 by November 22 to tell how many are planning to attend.
Thursday, December 3, 8:30a.m. - 2:00p.m. South-Southwest Suburban United Way and Community Economic Development Association of Cook County host Southland Human Services Summit. Join other nonprofit professionals to learn about the issues affecting the region and share your thoughts on positive solutions to change the current funding crisis. State Senator M. Maggie Crotty will serve as the keynote speaker during the luncheon session. At Oak Forest Hospital, 15900 Cicero Avenue, Oak Forest. Please register by emailing Donna Gayden at donnagayden@cedaorg.net
Friday, December 4, 10:00 - 11:30a.m. NAMI National Ask a Doctor Call with NAMI's Medical Director Dr. Ken Duckworth and guest Xavier Amador. Dr. Amador is an internationally sought-after speaker, clinical psychologist, and a professor at Columbia University, Teachers College, in New York City. He is the Founder and Director of the LEAP Institute and author of eight books including the national best seller "I'm Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!" He will discuss "People Living with Serious Mental Illness that are in 'Denial' and Refuse Treatment" To access the call, please dial 1-888-858-6021; participant code 309918. If you have any questions, please contact Bianca Ruffin at biancar@nami.org.
Tuesday, December 8, 6:30 - 9 p.m. NAMI Barrington Area board meeting in the Barrington Area Library, Large Meeting Room B. Drop in and learn what's going on in the chapter!
Tuesday, December 8, 7 p.m. NAMI of DuPage presents a Survivor's Guide to Social Security Benefits including how to successfully apply for SSDI benefits (or reapply if you've been denied). At the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross Street. No charge. No reservations require. Questions? Email Patty Johnstone or call her at 630-275-6264.
Thursday, December 10, 6:00 p.m. NAMI Elk Grove-Schaumburg Member Holiday Party. Members, Kenneth Young PSR consumers and NAMI Connection consumers free, guests $5. Lou Malnati's dinner & dessert, holiday grab bag, raffle prizes, and much more. At the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Rd, Elk Grove. Space limited, please RSVP by Dec 8th by calling Gina at 630-302-2530.
Starting Thursday, December 10, 6:30 - 8 p.m. and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI Northwestern Memorial Hospital presents Family to Family in Chicago at the NMH Feinberg Pavilion. No charge. Reservations required. Call Barbara at 312-664-5141 with questions or to register.
Thursday, December 17, 1:00p.m. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call on The Elimination of Disparities in Mental Health Care: Call 3. PowerPoint slides and other reading materials available on website. Free! For more information and to register visit their website.
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January Events
Friday, January 1. Opening date for the Catholic Charities-Alexian Brothers supportive housing project for homeless individuals with mental illness in the northwest suburbs. If you'd like to line up a slot in one of the units email Eileen Higgins at Catholic Charities now.
Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. NAMI Barrington Area board meeting in the Barrington Area Library, Large Meeting Room B. Drop in and learn what's going on in the chapter!
Starting Tuesday, January 19, 6 - 9 p.m. and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI Barrington Area presents Family to Family in Barrington. Contact Maryrose at 847-496-1415 with questions or to register.
Starting Monday, January 25, 6 - 8:30 p.m. and continuing for 12 weeks. NAMI Northwestern Memorial Hospital presents Family to Family in Chicago at the Fourth Presbyterian Church. No charge. Reservations required. Call Barbara at 312-664-5141 with questions or to register.
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Area Support Groups
NAMI Barrington Area would like to invite you to our monthly support groups - for family, partners and friends of people with mental illnesses (or "consumers" of mental health services). This month we will offer one group on Tuesday, December 8 at the Barrington Area Library (call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information) and a second on Monday, December 28 at Northwest Community Hospital (call Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330).
Support groups can be very helpful, especially for those going through a crisis. There are a number of groups meeting in our area for consumers as well as family members and friends. These include:
Every week in December, the NAMI Consumer Connections support group meets in multiple locations in the suburbs. For adults 18 and over with any type of mental illness. No charge/no registration: Mondays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, in the large group room. Call Star at 847-899-0195 for details. OR 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster (Ridge and Dempster) in the lower level, Evanston. Call 847-716-2252 for details. Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing, Elk Grove. Call Michelle at 224-653-9878 for information. Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Central DuPage Hospital Behavioral Health Services Building, 27W350 W High Lake Road in Winfield. Call 630-752-0066 for details. Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital North Pavilion (Building 4), basement level in Cancer Care Conference Room in Downers Grove. Call 630-752-0066 for information. Fridays 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital, 1650 Moon Lake Blvd, Hoffman Estates. Call Carol at 847-352-6708 for details. Saturdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. at Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster, Room 1062, Park Ridge (call NAMI CCNS for details at 847-716-2252).
Every Monday, the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance support group meets in Arlington Heights from 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. It's open to people living with depression and bipolar disorder and their family and friends. No charge. Contact Leah at mrsn@comcast.net or (847) 541-7754 for information and location.
Every Monday, the RECOVERY Inc. self-help mental health support group (led by trained consumers using cognitive behavioral methods) meets at 7 p.m. at the National City Bank (rear entrance), 13300 S. Route 47 / Oak Creek Pkwy, Huntley, IL. For information call 815-338-5609, email m50@recovery-inc.org or visit www.recovery-inc.org
Every Thursday, the NAMI DuPage chapter's Peer Recovery support group meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.
Every Saturday, the RECOVERY Inc. self-help mental health support group (led by trained consumers using cognitive behavioral methods) at 10a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 144 E.Palatine Road, Palatine. For information call 815-338-5609, email m50@recovery-inc.org or visit www.recovery-inc.org
Wednesday, December 2 and 16. NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Family Support Group meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call 312-563-0445 to place name on support group list.
Thursday, December 3. NAMI McHenry County dual diagnosis family support group meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the NAMI-McHenry County offices, 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 900A, Crystal Lake. Call 815-444-9991 for information.
Monday, December 7. NAMI CCNS "Care & Share" family support group meets from 7 - 8:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Kenton-Knox Conference Center at Rush North Shore Medical Center, 9701 N. Knox, Skokie. No charge. No reservation needed. Call Jan Magoc at at 847-297-0396 for information.
Monday, December 7 and 21 . NAMI of Greater Chicago Consumer Support Group NAMI Greater Chicago consumer support group meets twice monthly (usually the 1st and 3rd Mondays), 2:30 - 4 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call Betty at 312-563-0445 or visit their website for information or for other city and suburban support groups.
Monday, December 7 and 21 . NAMI of Greater Chicago Spanish Consumer Support Group meets the first and 3rd Monday of each month, 5:15 - 7 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call the office to put your name on the list: 312-563-0445.
Tuesday, December 8. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support group, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Barrington Area Library, Large Meeting Room B. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call Mary at 847-381-6919 or Trowby at 847-382-6015 for information for information.
Tuesday, December 8 and 22. NAMI DuPage Chapter family support group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the NAMI DuPage office, 2100 Manchester, Building B, Suite 925, Wheaton.(No charge, no reservation needed.) Phone 630.752.0066 or email: il@namidupage.org for information.
Wednesday, December 9. NAMI Greater Chicago Family Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday, 7 - 9 p.m. at their offices, 1536 W. Chicago Ave, 1st Floor, Chicago. Call 312-563-0445 or visit their website for information or for other city and suburban support groups.
Thursday, December 10. NAMI Elk Grove will hold its annual party rather than the family support group. For members and consumers. Guests$5.00 fee. 6:45 p.m. at the Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Rd., Elk Grove. Call Gina at 630 302 2530 for more information.
Thursday, December 10. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders meets the 2nd Thursday of the month (except August) from 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth. Call 847-716-2252 for more information.
Thursday, December 10. The NAMI Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Support Group for consumers and family members meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the NMH Feinberg Pavillion, Room 2-715, 257 E Huron Street, Chicago. For more information, please call 312-404-3038 or 773-275-1298.
Monday, December 14 and 28. The NAMI DuPage parents with children with a mental illness support group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at the NAMI office, 2100 Manchester Road, Bldg. B - Suite 900, Wheaton. (No charge, no reservation needed.) Call 630-752-0066 for information.
Wednesday, December 16. NAMI Hanover Township family support group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. at Downey Hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett, IL. Call 630-736-2823 for details.
Wednesday, December 16. NAMI Northwest Suburban Chapter family support group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 114, Arlington Heights. Call Star at 847-899-0195 for details.
Thursday, December 17. NAMI McHenry County Family Support and Education group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the McHenry County Mental Health Board Building, 620 Dakota St., Crystal Lake. Call 815-444-9991 for information.
Thursday, December 17. NAMI-C.A.R.E. (Consumers Advocating Recovery through Empowerment), a peer-based, mutual support group program led by trained consumers for individuals facing the challenges of recovering from a serious mental illness. The group meets on the 3rd Thursday at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, following the 7:00 p.m. general support group.
Friday December 18. The NAMI CCNS Basics Support Group for caregivers of children and adolescents with brain disorders meets the 3rd Friday of the month (except August) from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at the Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette. Call 847-716-225 for more information.
Saturday, December 19. The NAMI DuPage Minds in Motion social group (18 - 20-something) meets the 3rd Saturday of the month. Visit NAMI DuPageor phone 630-752-0066 for location and time.
Monday, December 28. NAMI Barrington Area Chapter family support group meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 - 9 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital Mental Health Network, 901 Kirchoff, Arlington Heights. call Mary 847-381-6919 or Elba 847-963-9330 for information.
Monday, December 28. The New Foundation Center (formerly Wilpower) family support group meets the 4th Monday of the month (except December) from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at 444 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL. Call Wendy Trafny at 847 386 3082 for information.
More support groups listed at the NAMI Illinois website and the NAMI Connection website. |
Glenn Close on Bipolar Disorder
From NBC news...Actress Glenn Close and her sister Jessie talk about bipolar disorder, stigma and recovery in a short video.
In a recent appearance Jessie said: "It will be a great day when I'm able to introduce the subject of my own bipolar disorder or my son's schizophrenia without seeing the flicker of fear behind the eyes of whoever I'm speaking to."
This month the two appeared on several TV talk shows, public service announcements, on line and in print to publicize their BringChange2Mind Campaign to fight stigma and provide information and support. Earlier this year, Close also helped lead the NAMI Walk in Maine.
Watch the video or read about the campaign.
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Healthcare Reform Update
Healthcare Update by Hugh Brady
On November 7 the US House of Representatives passed - by a vote of 220 to 215 - its major health care reform bill. A similar bill is now being debated in the Senate.
According to NAMI's national office, the legislation contains three key components critical to people living with mental illness. NAMI and other mental health advocacy groups support the bill and ask your help in getting it passed.
Learn more and learn how you can help. |
Setting Boundaries
by Janis Hopper
Whenever I have been lucky enough to meet with a family or friend of someone with a dual diagnosis (mental illness and substance abuse), there has always been one question I have made sure to ask before that person is discharged. What consequences will Bob face if he starts drinking again? What are the consequences Mary will face if she steals your credit cards again? What can Nancy expect if she stops taking her medication?
Invariably the family member or friend looks at me like Bambi in the headlights. Their facial expressions tell me that there is no plan and this is something that they have not discussed.
Yet you probably already know the aftermath of relapse. Setting boundaries is a crucial step that lets a person know what the expectations are and what will happen if expectations are not met. Setting standards under these circumstances can provide safety for all involved.
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Thank You Larry - Hello Frank
This November marks the end of Larry Kluk's service on the NAMI BA Board of Directors. Larry was one of the founding members of NAMI BA and played a major role in writing our first set of bylaws. He helped out with NAMI Walks and fundraising. At the October Board meeting he announced that he had decided not to run for another term. We will miss his good judgment and common sense. Thank you, Larry, for all that you have done.
NAMI BA's newest Board member is Frank Stankiewiez. Frank has already been a great help to NAMI BA. Together he and Brian Peters solved our phone problems. It seems that AT&T was ending the service we had and to keep the same type of service, we were going to have to change carriers. It turned out to be much more complicated than anyone thought, because we wanted to keep the same phone number (847-496-1415) but they got the job done.
Thank you Frank and Brian.
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A Crisis and an Opportunity
Legislative Update - by Hugh Brady
Earlier this fall the Chicago Tribune ran a series of articles about a crisis in Illinois' mental health system: It seems that prison inmates with mental illness were routinely being released from prison into nursing homes. The nursing homes did little or no background screening on these new residents and were not equipped to treat them effectively.
In spite of the fact that the vast majority of people with mental illness are no more violent that the rest of the population, there were several instances of horrific attacks on some of the elderly people in the nursing homes.
Governor Quinn created a task force, Nursing Home Safety Task Force, to look into the situation. The Task Force has held hearings and taken testimony from mental health advocates and is also soliciting citizen input. Read this month's Legislative Update to see what people have said and learn how you can offer your own comments. Meanwhile, a group of U.S. Senators have introduced a bill to establish up to 30 national centers of excellence for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorders. The centers will be form a national network to help diagnose people in need and improve access to evidence-based, quality care. Currently this legislation remains in committee.
We have the opportunity to make major improvements in the way we provide treatment for people with mental illness. Learn how you can help. |
Add emergency contacts to your driver's license
The State of Illinois has begun offering a new service connected to your driver's license and to other state-issued IDs...You can now add two emergency contacts to your personal data. If you are incapacitated in some way, your license or ID can be scanned and the emergency contacts retrieved so your loved ones can be called.
It only takes minutes to complete. Learn more.
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Gasoline Grant Assistance Program
Free Gas USA, Inc., a non-profit gasoline grant assistance provider, is offering gasoline grants to low-income individuals who are experiencing a difficult time paying for gasoline to drive to work, medical appointments, children to school or to buy groceries. Gas cards are awarded monthly in denominations ranging from $50 to $1,200.
To qualify, you must be a legal resident, at least 18, own a licensed and insured automobile, with income at or below the "very low income limit" as defined by HUD. For Cook County the limit is $26,400 for 1 person and $30,150 for a household of two.
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Housing Opening Set
Housing Update - by Hugh Brady
The long awaited Catholic Charities-Alexian Brothers supportive housing project for homeless individuals with mental illness in the northwest suburbs finally has an official opening date: January 1, 2010.
The project, which is supported by grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will create 19 units of scattered site housing for homeless individuals with mental illness.
This will permanent supportive housing, which means that residents will have leases just like any other tenant, but will pay no more than 30% of whatever income they have in rent. Supportive services, ranging from case management to psychiatry will be delivered on site by the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health.
The project's sponsors have already been in contact with landlords near downtown Arlington Heights and have the individual apartments lined up.
People interested in finding out more about the project or perhaps in getting one of the slots for themselves or a family member should email Eileen Higgins at Catholic Charities. |
Participants needed: Schizophrenia Research
Northwestern University is looking for participants for a Schizophrenia Research Project. The studies look at different aspects of the illness using MRI technology, clinical interviews, and cognitive testing.
Individuals with schizophrenia, their mothers, and their siblings are encouraged to contact Pam or Melody from Dr. John Csernansky's research lab at 312-695-2203 or 312-695-6486 to find out which studies they qualify for as participants. You will be compensated up to $25 per hour for your time. The major goal of this study is to improve understanding of the underlying causes and mechanisms of schizophrenia, especially during its earliest phases.
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Psychiatric Research Opportunities
The Alexian Brothers Center for Psychiatric Research is looking for participants in the following studies:
Bipolar Disorder (Age 10-17)
Depression (Age 18-80)
Opiate Dependence (healthcare worker: Age 18+)
Autism (Age 6-12)
Schizophrenia (Age 18-65)
Eligible participants may receive medical and psychiatric evaluations along with medication provided at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be available.
If you think clinical research might be right for you or someone you care about, please call the center now at 847-230-3591 for a brief phone screening. Learn more.
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Volunteers Needed
Do you really mean it when you say you want to help people with mental health issues?
If so, we can use your help at NAMI Barrington Area. I want to invite you to help us support and advocate for people with brain disorders, and in so doing, help yourself. Are you willing to lend a hand? It's a wonderful experience to be involved and make a difference!
There's so much we can accomplish, but only with more good people like you pitching in. Please call Maryrose at 847-496-1415.
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Local Hospitals
With Mental Health Serivces
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| Community Mental Health Services
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Please pass on this newsletter
We hope you'll pass this newsletter on to friends, family members or professionals who might get some useful information from it. Even though you don't know if your friend would need this valuable information and support, you never know who may have a co-worker or neighbor who would.
The best way to pass it on is to hit the 'forward email' button at the bottom. You can write a note when you forward it, and you may mention that if he or she enjoys it, to be sure to hit the 'join our mailing list' button in the left-hand column.
There's no need to worry if your friend lives in the area, as NAMI has chapters throughout the United States. It's a free newsletter. You don't have to be a member to receive it. No one will call, email or otherwise bother new subscribers. |
Join NAMI
We hope you'll join NAMI and support our advocacy for the mentally ill. The cost is only $35 (adult and spouse) or $10 (for consumer). If this cost will create a financial hardship, we have a limited number of open door memberships available at a reduced fee.
If you don't wish to join right now, but you'd like to receive our free newsletter, simply use the "Join our mailing list" button in the blue column to the right.
Membership form |
Emergency Numbers
Local police/ambulance: 911 State police: 847-294-4400 Crisis team, Alexian Brothers, Hoffman Estates (24 hour): 800-432-5005 Illinois state suicide line: 800-784-2433 Ecker Center 24-hour emergency program (Elgin) 847-888-2211 More emergency numbers
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