McLean County Justice Committee met July 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman Chuck Erickson, Members Beverly Bell, Susan Schafer, Jack Abraham, Natalie Roseman-Mendoza, Geoff Tompkins
Members Absent: None
Other County Board
Members Present None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Taylor Williams, Assistant State’s Attorney
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Ron Lewis, Public Defender; Erika Reynolds, State’s Attorney; Suzanne Montoya, Court Services; Matt Lane, Sheriff; Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk; Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center
Others Present: Dan Leary, IT
Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Erickson confirmed with Administrator Taylor there were three appearances by members of the public.
Ms. Julie Prandi urged Committee and Board members to oppose new SWAT capabilities as she felt they did not help reduce crime.
Mr. Zachary Gittrich indicated he was against SWAT capabilities and as he felt there were other areas to spend that funding.
Ms. Christina Barnett indicated she was concerned with the EAGLE task force as she wanted to make sure we have manpower but did not want to support something that was not needed.
Chairman Erickson presented the May 11, 2023 special meeting minutes and June 6, 2023 regular meeting minutes for approval.
Motion by Schafer/Abraham to approve the May 11, 2023 special meeting and June 6,2023 regular meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson presented bills in the amount of $689,451.29 for approval by the Committee.
Motion by Bell/Abraham to approve the bills in the amount of $689,451.29. Motion Carried.
Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk presented for action a request to approve a Professional Services Agreement with HOV Services, Inc. Mr. Everhart indicated this was for the continuation of a contract for microfilming services.
Motion by Roseman/Abraham to recommend approval of a Professional Services Agreement with HOV Services, Inc.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Everhart presented his monthly reports to the Committee. Ms. Bell stated she reviewed the numbers and appreciated the work they are doing to stay on top of the workload. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any additional comments or questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson indicated Ms. Yoder was not present and presented on her behalf a request to approve an Ordinance by the McLean County Board Amending Chapter 205 Fees, Article VI Use of County Morgue, in the McLean County Code.
Motion by Abraham/Schafer to recommend approval of an Ordinance by the McLean County Board Amending Chapter 205 Fes, Article VI Use of County Morgue, in the McLean County Code.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson indicated Ms. Yoder’s reports were in the packet and encouraged members to reach out to her or Administration with any questions.
Mr. Lane presented his monthly reports to the Committee. Mr. Lane provided an update on hiring at the jail by noting the number of open positions and those currently going through the background check process. Mr. Lane also noted the number of inmates they had at the County facility that were designated for other facilities including eight for the Department of Health Services, four awaiting fitness evaluations and twenty-three for Illinois Department of Corrections. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson indicated there was nothing on the agenda for Mr. Scanlon and moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ron Lewis, McLean County Public Defender presented his monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Suzanne Montoya, Court Services Director, presented her report to the Committee. Ms. Schafer asked if her report would include family treatment court information in the future. Ms. Taylor confirmed that if the Family Treatment Court is established the statistics would be recorded and presented by Court Services. Chairman Erickson asked if anyone had any further questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson asked to combine the next two items on the agenda. With the Committee’s consent Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center Director a request to approve the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement between the Office of the Attorney General and County of McLean CASA (Grant 24-1065) as well as the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement between the Office of the Attorney General and County of McLean CAC (Grant 24-1030). Ms. Evans noted these are continuation grants that are to receive increased funding.
Motion by Roseman-Mendoza/Bell to recommend approval of the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement between the Office of the Attorney General and County of McLean CASA (Grant 24-1065) and the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement between the Office of the Attorney General and County of McLean CAC (Grant 24-1030)
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center Director a request to approve a Grant Agreement between Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates and County of McLean. Ms. Evans indicated this is a continuation grant with an increase in the amount they are to receive. She also noted the amount is based on the number of children they serve.
Motion by Abraham/Roseman-Mendoza to recommend approval of a Grant Agreement between Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates and County of McLean
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center Director a request to approve a Grant Agreement between Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and Children’s Advocacy Center of McLean County (No. 221203). Ms. Evans indicated the grant amount had been reduced by about $35,000 but they were able to get additional funding through another grant. Mr. Abraham asked for more information about the decrease in funding. Ms. Evans indicated the portion of the federal grant funding set aside for this was decreased. She noted State funding is being given to balance the decrease.
Motion by Roseman-Mendoza/Bell to recommend approval of a Grant Agreement between Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and Children’s Advocacy Center of McLean County (No. 221203)
Motion Carried.
Ms. Evans presented her reports to the Committee. Ms. Evans went over a new position request that would be funded by a grant. Ms. Bell noted the work it takes to write and receive a grant and thanked them for their efforts. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any additional comments or questions; hearing none he thanked her.
Ms. Erika Reynolds, the State’s Attorney presented for action a request to approve a Violent Crime Victims Assistant Program Grant Agreement with the County of McLean State’s Attorney’s Office (Grant 24-1070).
Motion by Abraham/Bell to recommend approval of a Violent Crime Victims Assistant Program Grant Agreement with the County of McLean State’s Attorney’s Office (Grant 24-1070).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Erika Reynolds, the State’s Attorney presented for action a contract between Carissa Haning, Special Assistant State’s Attorney and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Reynolds indicated this was a creative solution to cover the workload created by staff shortages.
Motion by Abraham/Schafer to recommend approval of a contract between Carissa Haning, Special Assistant State’s Attorney and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Reynolds presented her monthly reports to the Committee. She also noted her request for compensation changes to help fill open positions in her office. She noted she has attorneys going to other counties to make more money for less complicated caseloads. Ms. Reynolds noted that as of August 1 they would be down six attorneys. She indicated they are trying to be creative in recruiting and putting ideas together to reward employees who remain with the County. Ms. Schafer asked her to confirm State’s attorneys are going to other counties and not into private practice. Ms. Reynolds confirmed. Mr. Erickson asked if the budget she is planning to submit will help with shortages. Ms. Reynolds noted that the market changes every three to four months, so she was not sure if she would need additional assistance outside of the budget process. Mr. Erickson asked if other counties are experiencing the same issues with recruiting. Ms. Reynolds confirmed several counties are down several attorneys. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Taylor a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2023 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for Fund 0452 (METCOM). Ms. Taylor indicated this request is for a new Computer Aided Dispatch system as the current system will not be supported as of January 2024. She noted that the cost for the new system would be shared by the County, The Town of Normal and ETSB.
Motion by Roseman-Mendoza/Bell to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2023 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for Fund 0452 (METCOM).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor indicated she had no further items for the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if anyone had any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson stated there was no other business for the Justice Committee to consider and adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9701
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