Supporters of embattled McHenry County Mental Health Board President Lee Ellis are taking advantage of a two-week delay in his ouster to persuade or pressure McHenry County Board members to keep him.

An email sent Thursday to county mental health service providers asks them and their clients to call County Board members ahead of the Public Health and Human Services Committee’s vote Wednesday to fill three vacant seats with newcomers and not Ellis.

At least two County Board members with connections to the mental health service community have been called in recent days regarding whether they would vote for a slate that did not include Ellis.