State Senator Patrick Joyce has shown support for a new live-in addiction recovery center at a 68-acre horse ranch in unincorporated Crete, Illinois. The initiative is led by Jim O’Connor, who has inspired with his high-energy approach. O’Connor’s recovery journey motivated him to purchase land at East Bemes Road and South Klemme Road to establish Second Story Ranch.
Joyce, a Democratic senator from Essex, described O’Connor’s dedication. He noted that O’Connor frequently approached him to discuss the project and shared his personal recovery story. This inspired Joyce to encourage O’Connor to present his vision to other state legislators, believing the state should support such programs.
In December, O’Connor launched a public capital campaign to fund the construction of several facilities at the ranch. These include housing for up to 30 men, a 7,000-square-foot communal lodge, and two single-family homes for facility leaders. Governor JB Pritzker endorsed the project by allocating $2 million in the state budget for Second Story Ranch, which O’Connor plans to begin constructing in phases this fall.
“I wasn’t jumping up and down and screaming about the money,” O’Connor stated. “We took about a minute or two to celebrate, and then it was like, let’s go to work.”
O’Connor feels the responsibility attached to this funding. He intends to use the state funds, in addition to other grants and donations, effectively. With a $2 million grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ground-breaking on essential ranch infrastructure and housing is expected soon. O’Connor describes this grant as a sign that others share the vision for recovery.
Despite this substantial grant, O’Connor continues to seek $3 million more within six to nine months. This additional funding would facilitate the construction of a larger lodge and more residences for program participants. He anticipates these funds may come from opioid settlement allocations, and if successful, the program could begin operations by 2027.
In the interim, O’Connor will help those in recovery through partnerships, including with the Recovery Community of Joliet. Employment opportunities at the ranch provide work for individuals recently completing a 28-day inpatient program. His goal is to offer resources and temporary housing, fostering participants’ journey to self-sufficiency and independence.
Upon opening, Second Story Ranch will provide its program at no cost to Medicaid-eligible individuals referred by partnering state organizations. Donations to aid the ongoing efforts can be made through the project’s GoFundMe page by searching for Second Story Foundation charity on www.gofundme.com.