McLean County Times

McLean County Justice Committee met June 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 404 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

Members Present: Chairman George Gordon, Members George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Randall Martin, Jim Soeldner and Lyndsay Bloomfield (All by remote attendance)

Members Absent: Member Carlo Robustelli

Other County Board Members Present: None

Staff Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator, Ms. Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator, Ms. Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division (via remote attendance)

Department Heads/ Elected Officials Present: Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk, Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney, Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff, Ms. Kathy Yoder; Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender, Mr. Michael Donovan, Court Services; Ms. Molly Evans (remote attendance)

Others Present: Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the April 21, 2020 special meeting and May 5, 2020 regular meeting for approval.

Motion by Martin/Bloomfield to approve the minutes from the April 21, 2020 special meeting and May 5, 2020 regular meeting.

Motion Carried.

Chairman Gordon confirmed there were no appearances by members of the public.

Mr. Jon Sandage, McLean County Sheriff presented his report and indicated numbers have increased in the last couple of days. He also reinstituted visitation at the jail. Mr. Gordon thanked him and department for their service. Mr. Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.

Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner presented for action a request to approve a Limited Data Use Agreement: McLean County Coroner Fall Study with Illinois State University. Ms. Yoder indicated they would be studying deaths caused by falls and use the information to determine other safety measures that can be put in place to help prevent those deaths. Mr. Gordon asked if this is first study of its kind. Ms. Yoder confirmed it is. Ms. Schafer asked about amount of deaths caused by falls. Ms. Yoder confirmed that most accidental deaths are caused by falls, which are preventable deaths. Ms. Schafer asked if other counties are participating. Ms. Yoder indicated would only include McLean County information from her office.

Motion by Schafer/Bloomfield to recommend approval of a Limited Data Use Agreement: McLean County Coroner Fall Study with Illinois State University. 

Motion Carried. Chair voted.

Ms. Yoder presented her monthly report. Ms. Yoder went over number of autopsies for April and May. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any further questions for her, hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Donald Knapp, State’s Attorney presented his reports. Mr. Knapp indicated that numbers when down over the past couple of months but expect them to rise from the last few days. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Michael Donovan, Director of Court Services presented his reports. He stated they are working to supervise individuals on probation with all of the restrictions in place. Ms. Schafer asked if there was a ceremony for graduates of Veteran’s Court. Mr. Donovan indicated Judge gave them option and they chose to do an informal ceremony with the Judge but will also have option to come back for more formal ceremony when restrictions are removed. Ms. Schafer indicated she felt it is important they be recognized. Mr. Donovan agreed. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk presented his reports. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him and moved to the next item on the agenda.

Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender present her monthly report. Ms. Barnes indicated her staff are preparing for several trials in the next months. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked her moved to the next item on the agenda.

Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center presented her monthly reports to the Committee. She indicated the numbers have been lower over the past two months but expect those to increase. She indicated they started doing teletherapy through this situation and will continue as it increases services to rural areas. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.

Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve critical hire requests. Ms. Rodriguez indicated she had confirmed with the Civil State’s Attorney the Committee could proceed with action item even though it is listed under Items for Information as it contains approval language. Ms. Schafer asked about the part-time and hours listed. Mr. Scanlan confirmed it is a full-time position of 37.5 hours per week.

Motion by Bloomfield/Wendt to recommend approval of critical hire requests. 

Motion Carried. Chair voted.

Ms. Rodriguez provided her report on recent positions filled. Mr. Soeldner asked about visitor aide position and if this is a new position. Ms. Rodriguez indicated it could be a new position that happened separately from those hired before. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any further questions, hearing none he thanked her.

Mr. Gordon asked if there was other business or communication to come before the Committee. Hearing nothing, he moved to payment of the bills.

Chairman Gordon indicated there were no transfers and presented bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a Prepaid and Fund Total of $638,849.18.

Motion by Soeldner/Bloomfield to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid and fund total of $638,849.18.

Motion Carried.

Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 4:52 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7405