McLean County Justice Committee met May 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman George Gordon Members George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Carlo Robustelli, Randall Martin, Jim Soeldner and Josh Barnett
Members Absent: None
Other County Board Members Present: None
Staff Present: Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator, Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney - Civil Division, Mr. Eric Schmitt, Assistant County Administrator, and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Kathy Yoder, Coroner; Cassy Taylor, Court Services; Jon Sandage, Sheriff; Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center, Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender, Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney, Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk, Mr. Will Scanlan, Circuit Court
Others Present: Mary Pat Furgo-Anderson, CAC; Stephanie Jewett, CAC
Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum.
Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the April 2, 2019 regular meeting for approval.
Motion by Schafer/Soeldner to approve the minutes from the April 2, 2019 regular meeting.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon confirmed there were no appearances by members of the public.
Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney presented his monthly report. He indicated numbers are about the same as in previous years including Asset Forfeiture numbers. He also indicated they are working with the Public Defender on a Deferred Prosecution program and went over some of the parameters including fee waivers for some individuals. Chairman Gordon asked the Committee if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Knapp.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Court Services presented her monthly reports. Ms. Taylor stated the Veteran’s Treatment Court is continuing to grow and they just had the first Veteran’s Treatment Court graduation earlier that day. Mr. Gordon indicated the graduation was inspirational and the program overall gave participants much needed encouragement. Ms. Schafer agreed and stated she also appreciated and enjoyed the ceremony. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk presented his monthly and quarterly reports. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none he thanked Mr. Everhart.
Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender presented her monthly reports. Ms. Barnes indicated she felt the deferred prosecution program would greatly help the community. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked Ms. Barnes.
Ms. Mary Pat Furgo-Anderson, presented on behalf of the Children’s Advocacy Center Director Molly Evans, the monthly statistical reports to the Committee. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Jon Sandage, McLean County Sheriff presented the monthly and annual reports. Mr. Robustelli indicated he received a question from a constituent about costs for making calls from the Jail. He indicated he found a report that indicated McLean County is the most expensive. He asked if he could get more information on our actual costs to pass along to constituents. Sheriff Sandage asked if Mr. Robustelli would pass the site information along to him so that he could compare with their telephone contract and charges. Mr. Robustelli indicated he would pass that along. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any further comments or questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Allen.
Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner presented her monthly report. Ms. Schafer asked her about Opioid death numbers as compared from last year. Ms. Yoder indicated numbers are down slightly from last year. She stated that some other counties do not do autopsies on car accident victims or suicides but McLean County does to confirm if there are opioids or another reasons for accidents or suicides. Ms. Yoder stated that should be kept in mind because while other counties numbers may be down more than McLean County we cannot be sure of causes of deaths without autopsies. Mr. Soeldner asked why other counties are not doing the autopsies. Ms. Yoder indicated it might be budgetary, but she was not sure. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Yoder, hearing none, he thanked her.
Judge Rebecca Foley and Mr. Will Scanlan of the Circuit Court presented for action a request to approve a recommendation to the Executive Committee supporting the issuance of an RFP for Integrated Justice Information System Review. Mr. Scanlan stated the E-justice system touches all aspects of the law system. He provided history of the current system that has been in place for 20 years and stated they want the next system to last just as long, so they want to make sure a thorough study and analysis is done. Mr. Scanlan stated they were present to support a request that an RFP be issued to begin the review of what we currently have and what is available, and current and future needs so the current system could be replaced. Mr. Scanlan stated they expect the company to be with them for several months and figure the entire project may take a year and a half to two and half years. Judge Foley stated that ultimately this system has benefit to the citizens of the county not just through record keeping, but also allows us to collect data for problem solving courts and the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. Mr. Robustelli thanked them for their efforts and indicated he was very excited about the project as he felt it was an important infrastructure project. Mr. Gordon agreed and indicated the scope is large but is much needed. Mr. Scanlan thanked Mr. Everhart, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Wasson for their help with this project.
Motion by Schafer/Wendt to recommend approval of recommendation to the Executive Committee supporting the issuance of an RFP for Integrated Justice Information System Review.
Motion Carried. Chair Voted
Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator indicated there were no recent employment activities under the purview of the Justice Committee.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was other business to come before the Committee. Mr. Gordon thanked Mr. Wasson for all of his assistance to the County Board.
Chairman Gordon presented the Justice Committee with bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $715,762.39
Motion Barnett/Martin to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $715,762.39 Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6700
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