McLean County Justice Committee met Aug. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Members Present: Chairman George Gordon Members George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Carlo Robustelli, Jim Soeldner, Randall Martin and Lyndsay Bloomfield
Members Absent: None
Other County Board Members Present None
Staff Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator, Mr. Eric Schmitt, Assistant County Administrator, Ms. Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator; Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney - Civil Division, and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Michael Donovan, Court Services; Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center, Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center
Others Present: Mr. Michael Herzog, Public Defender’s office
Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. He welcomed Ms. Lyndsay Bloomfield to the Committee and Ms. Cassy Taylor to the Administrator’s office.
Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the July 2, 2019 regular meeting and June 18, 2019 special meeting for approval.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to approve the minutes from the July 2, 2019 regular meeting and June 18, 2019 special meeting.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon confirmed there were no appearances by members of the public.
Mr. Michael Herzog, from the Public Defender’s office presented the Public Defender’s monthly reports. He indicated they are up to defending 10 murder charges, but staff was able to handle the load. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Herzog.
Ms. Molly Evans, Director, Children’s Advocacy Center, presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2019 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance. Ms. Evans indicated this was a second round of VOCA funds made available for equipment. Mr. Soeldner asked her how they use a DVD duplicator. Ms. Evans stated that all interviews are recorded and they provide copies to the State’s Attorney and law enforcement for discovery purposes. Ms. Schafer asked to review how these extra grant dollars became available. Ms. Evans stated that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority indicated there was a large amount of money set aside for children’s advocacy centers that could only be used for equipment purchases, they outlined use and purchase restrictions and we met those so funding was issued to us.
Motion by Robustelli/Schafer to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2019 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Evans presented her monthly statistical reports to the Committee. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Gordon indicated Mr. Jon Sandage, McLean County Sheriff was not present but his monthly reports were in the packet. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any comments or questions; hearing none, he moved to the next agenda item.
Chairman Gordon indicated Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner is not present as she was attending a conference. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions, hearing none, he moved to the next agenda item.
Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney, presented his reports. Mr. Knapp stated that he, Mr. Soeldner, Ms. Woods and Ms. Taylor attended a Cannabis legislation seminar. He stated that decisions on zoning, taxing and human resources would need to be made in the near future. Mr. Knapp said anyone under 21 cannot possess and over 21 cannot possess more than 30 grams so he did not feel it would drop numbers much. Mr. Wendt asked him about penalties for possession. Mr. Knapp stated that it depends on how they have in their possession. He said that he felt it would be an ordinance violation with municipalities so our court system will only see if municipalities do not collect fines. Mr. Wendt asked him about taxing. Mr. Knapp went over taxing by municipalities and County including 3% by County. Ms. Schafer asked about expungement and who would be responsible for determining that. Mr. Knapp said there would be more work for his department as there will be some cases that are automatic and as there is no time limit the cases could go back 50 years and someone will have to review all those cases. He stated they will be able to object to some, so additional work as they would have to file and go to court for a judge to rule on those cases. He said there is a proposed trailer bill to clean up this process. He said that counties with paper copies would have more work than they will and this could cause a lot more work for Mr. Nelson and the Information Technologies department since most of our files are electronic. Mr. Wendt asked if plea deals would be taken into account with the expungements. Mr. Knapp went over criteria for expungements and how violent crimes would at least allow them right to object.
Mr. Soeldner mentioned that cannabis tax will go to the State and State will be distribute so while we can plan to get some money, it will be more from the sales tax we can impose. Mr. Knapp also mentioned that at the seminar they said distribution would be based on per capita basis like income tax, but he did not think income tax or LGDF was on a per capita basis. Mr. Soeldner said that counties who opt out would still get part of the LGDF funds. Mr. Gordon asked if other small-incorporated municipalities would be able to impose a tax. Mr. Knapp stated they would and further explained that the State sales tax will be based on the type of cannabis sold. Mr. Knapp stated that since State, County and Municipalities can tax, it would be taxed heavily. Mr. Soeldner said he did not feel this would help with illegal marijuana. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions for Mr. Knapp; hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Mike Donovan, Interim Director of Court Services presented for action a request to approval of a contract with Kevin Crutcher to provide intensive probation and trauma and mental health assessment counseling services. Mr. Donovan indicated this was a sub- contract within our ARI grant. Mr. Gordon asked if ARI grant was approved last month. Mr. Donovan confirmed.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to recommend approval of contract with Kevin Crutcher to provide intensive probation and trauma and mental health assessment counseling services.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Donovan presented the monthly reports. Ms. Schafer also reminded the Committee of the Drug and Veteran Court graduations. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Mr. Donovan; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Gordon indicated that Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk was not present but his reports were in the packet. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none he moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Rodriguez presented information regarding positions filled under the purview of the Committee.
Mr. Gordon asked if there was other business. Mr. Robustelli questioned the amount that we could tax on cannabis as he read.75% not 3%. Ms. Woods indicated that a trailer bill was proposed that would change it to the 3% Mr. Knapp had stated. Mr. Soeldner said there would be many things to make decisions on including zoning, taxes, etc.
Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he moved to payment of the bills.
Chairman Gordon presented the Justice Committee with bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $461,403.37. Mr. Gordon stated the Auditor pointed out a couple of funds that were over budget. Mr. Gordon indicated that one of the funds was not under the purview of the Justice Committee and then asked Mr. Schmitt to go over the other over budget Fund. Mr. Schmitt explained that the other fund was over by $357 for a laptop computer for the EMA program and they would make a line item transfer next month.
Motion by Robustelli/Soeldner to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $461,403.37
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6845
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