Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) was honored yesterday with the 2023 Legislator of the Year Award from the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois (CBHA). Rep. Haas expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am truly honored to receive this award from such an incredible organization. To be recognized for the work I have done to improve the mental health and behavioral healthcare system in Illinois is such an honor for me, both professionally and personally."

The CBHA is a statewide nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advocating for access and availability of quality behavioral healthcare services in Illinois. The award was presented at the association's annual conference, which took place in Schaumburg on December 4-5.

Rep. Haas, who has over thirty years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, has been involved with CBHA long before her career in politics. She has been a strong advocate for improving the mental and behavioral healthcare system in the state. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized her commitment to addressing funding issues, staffing shortages, and the stigma surrounding mental health. She stated, "I will continue my unwavering commitment to advancing the mental and behavioral healthcare system in Illinois by fighting for proper funding, addressing staffing shortages, and advocating to end the stigma associated with mental health."

Rep. Haas has been a prominent figure in her community, serving as the CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health since 2000. In addition to her role as a legislator, she has advocated for early childhood development and quality healthcare. She currently holds positions in various committees, including the Mental Health & Addiction, Health Care Availability & Access, Appropriations – Health & Human Services, Human Services, Prescription Drug Affordability, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).

The Legislator of the Year Award recognizes Rep. Haas's dedication and efforts in improving the behavioral healthcare network in Illinois. Her peers have chosen her for this prestigious honor, highlighting her commitment to the cause. Rep. Haas expressed her enthusiasm for future collaboration with the CBHA, stating, "It is an honor to be nominated and chosen by my peers for such a prestigious award. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we advocate to improve Illinois' behavioral healthcare network."

For more information about Representative Haas and her work, visit RepHaas.com.

To learn more, click on this link: https://rephaas.com/2023/12/06/rep-haas-receives-community-behavioral-healthcare-association-of-il-legislator-of-the-year-award/