County board confirms one Mental Health Board appointment, rejects another after concern about campaign social-media post

The Stephenson County Board approved the appointment of Renata Hepler to the county Mental Health Board and declined to approve a second nominee, Diane Yoakum, after a board member raised concerns tied to a past campaign social-media post.

The board moved to approve Renata Hepler to the Mental Health Board; the motion passed unanimously. No discussion was recorded before the vote on Hepler’s appointment.

Later, the board considered the nomination of Diane Yoakum. During discussion, board member Mrs. Hayes said she would vote no, citing a campaign-era incident: "Ms. Yoakam, a couple years ago during a political campaign, drove by my house and she took a picture of it and put it up on Facebook with my address," Hayes said, adding concerns about judgment and safety. The chair invited Mr. Whelan to respond and the board voted; the motion to approve Yoakum was defeated, with the chair reporting only one yes vote (Mrs. Williams) and the motion failing.

Why it matters: Mental Health Board members help allocate local 708 funds and evaluate agency needs; appointments determine who will sit on that advisory and funding-distribution body and can shape local service priorities.

Next steps: With Yoakum’s nomination defeated, the seat remains unfilled until another nominee is brought forward or the board revisits the appointment process.