IL HR0941

House Resolution honoring Karen Beyer, former CEO of the Ecker Center for Mental Health and pillar of the Elgin community who has passed away.

Beyer earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and three master's degrees, including a Master of Social Work from Loyola University.

Served 10 years as Director of Health and Human Services for Hoffman Estates, 8 years as executive director at the Larkin Center, and nearly 20 years at the Ecker Center working to reshape mental health conversation and eliminate stigma.

Appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996 in Jaffee vs. Redmond case, refusing to turn over counseling notes and winning protection for therapist-patient privacy rights.

Survived by husband Joe Follrath, daughter Jennifer Beyer Zielinski, stepchildren Tim Follrath and Hollee Koszewski, and seven grandchildren; House extends condolences to family and loved ones.