McLean County Justice Committee met March 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman Erickson, Members Randall L. Martin, George Wendt, Susan Schafer, Sharon Chung and Hannah Beer
Members Absent: None
Other County Board Members Present None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Chris Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division; Ashley Scarborough, Assistant State’s Attorney
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Ron Lewis, Public Defender; Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk; Kathy Yoder, Coroner, Sheriff Jon Sandage, Will Scanlon, Circuit Court;Michael Donovan, Court Services
Others Present: None
Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Erickson presented the January 13, 2022, special meeting and February 1, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Justice Committee for approval.
Motion by Martin/Wendt to approve the January 13, 2022, special meeting and February 1, 2022, regular meeting minutes of the Justice Committee.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson confirmed with Cassy Taylor there was one member of the public to appear. Ms. Jenna Kearns appeared and spoke on behalf of the AmeriCorps program Illinois JusticeCorps. (Comments Attached)
Mr. Mike Donovan, Court Services Director presented his reports to the Committee. He indicated there has been staff turnover and thanked his staff for their hard work. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Donovan.
Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk presented his monthly report to the Committee. Mr. Everhart noted changes in reports based on direction from the Supreme Court to include additional statistics. Mr. Everhart also concurred that there had also been staff turnover in his department and appreciated the hard work of his staff. Mr. Erickson noted there had been delays in receiving documents and noted staff shortages probably did not help. Mr. Everhart noted a few outside factors including update on electronic system that had also caused delays. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions for Mr. Everhart, hearing none, he thanked him.
Mr. Ron Lewis, Public Defender presented his monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions for Mr. Lewis; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson noted Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) was not present but her monthly report to the Committee was in the packet. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions on the report; hearing none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner presented her monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Scanlon, Circuit Court provided information on the AOIC Technology Modernization Grant Program. Mr. Scanlon indicated they would be putting forth a couple of RFPs for services that would be paid for through this grant. Mr. Scanlon thanked Ms. Kearns for recruiting good volunteers and praised her for her leadership skills. Mr. Erickson asked when volunteers were in the law library. Mr. Scanlon noted when they were in the office. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson noted Don Knapp, McLean County State’s Attorney was not present but his monthly reports to the Committee were in the packet and asked if there were any questions regarding Mr. Knapp’s reports; hearing none he moved to the next item on the agenda.
Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Sheriff Department. Ms. Taylor noted this was for end of the year clean up of the budget prior to the annual audit.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Sheriff Department.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson indicated the Sheriff had requested the next item be pulled from the agenda as it was still being finalized.
Mr. Sandage presented his monthly report. He stated population has increased and they have not been able to transfer to State Corrections for a while. Mr. Sandage noted they are also short on staff and went over shortages and reasons for departures from the department. Ms. Chung noted she wanted to ask a few questions of the Sheriff under other business. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any other questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator indicated she had nothing for the Committee.
Chairman Erickson asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee. Ms. Chung noted department heads mentioned staffing needs in their reports and asked about the status of the salary study. Ms. Taylor noted the RFP had been completed and was being posted on the County website and in the Pantagraph. Ms. Taylor noted all departments are feeling shortages. Ms. Chung asked the Sheriff if they had implemented the mail guard system.
Mr. Sandage indicated they went back to getting mail in the facilities and during that time one employee opened an envelope that contained meth amphetamine and because of contact with that substance the individual required medical attention. Ms. Chung asked if individuals opening mail wore protective gear. Mr. Sandage indicated they do not. Ms. Chung asked about status of COVID in the jail. Mr. Sandage noted they currently had zero cases in the jail. Ms. Chung asked if they still had restrictions in place. Mr. Sandage noted they were only one week out with zero cases so they were continuing to monitor but would consider changes based on COVID numbers. Ms. Chung asked if inmates filed grievances on a tablet or in paper form. Mr. Sandage indicated they could file a grievance in both formats. Ms. Chung asked about paper trail with electronic filing. Mr. Sandage indicate there is a trail in both formats.
Ms. Schafer noted the benefits of the AmeriCorp program and requested a resolution be presented to the County Board.
Chairman Erickson presented bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid fund total of $585,533.74 and transfers.
Motion by Chung/Beer to approve the Justice Committee bills and transfers as presented.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson stated there was no other business for the Justice Committee to consider and adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8628
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