Planned addiction recovery program on Crete horse ranch launches fundraising campaign

The Chicago Tribune’s Evelyn Lewis reports on Second Story Ranch’s launch of a public capital campaign to build its long-term residential recovery center on a 68-acre horse ranch in Crete. Led by Jim O’Connor, the project has zoning approval and early funding, and it now seeks to raise the remaining dollars needed for construction of the lodge, housing, and staff residences. The ranch is already providing work opportunities for people in recovery, and O’Connor positions the program as a bridge between short-term treatment and lasting stability, independent of Medicaid or rent-based funding.

Planned addiction recovery program on Crete horse ranch launches fundraising campaign

Second Story Ranch purchased its property near Crete in March and secured zoning approval from Will County in September.

Chicago Tribune/Evelyn Lewis/December 11, 2025

Planned addiction recovery program on Crete horse ranch launches fundraising campaign

Second Story Ranch, a planned live-in addiction recovery center in Crete set to operate out of a 68-acre horse ranch, purchased its property in March and secured zoning approval from Will County in September. Now, the main thing it needs is money. “I think I said to somebody, hey, the good news is we bought a farm,” said project director Jim O’Connor. “And the bad news is, we bought a farm.” ...

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Planned addiction recovery program on Crete horse ranch launches fundraising campaign

Second Story Ranch, a planned live-in addiction recovery center in Crete set to operate out of a 68-...

Belleville News-Democrat