Kankakee Times

The Kankakee County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) launched its new website last week to keep the community informed of its activities and mission.

In the latest news posted on the website, the KCRCC publicized the Kankakee County Board's Dec. 5 meeting that was held in the Kankakee County Administration building. At the meeting, retiring board members Mike Bossert, Stan James and Larry Enz were recognized and honored for their service to the community with plaques. Bossert is the outgoing County Board Chairman. Judge Michael Kick swore in the newly elected and re-elected board members.

County Clerk Bruce Clark appointed a temporary chairman to conduct the remainder of the meeting, which consisted of the election of the permanent chairman and vice chairman.  

The Republican members of the board selected Andrew Wheeler as their nominee as Chairman of the Board and Steve Liehr as the Vice-Chair on Nov. 21. Of the 20 present, 19 voted to keep their word and bring the KCRCC slate to the board. While the meeting was open to all members of the Republican Party, only County Board members and the members elect could cast their ballots for the Chair and Vice Chair.

In addition to the changing of the guard at the County Board of Supervisors, the new website posted KCRCC Chairman Wanda Cantrell's congratulations to the new and re-elected county officials – Auditor Jake Lee, Clerk of the Circuit Court Sand Cianci, Coroner Bob Gessner, Recorder of Deeds Lori Gadbois, Sheriff Mike Downey, State's Attorney Jim Rowe and Treasurer Nick Africano. The new county officials were sworn into office Dec. 1 in front of an overflow crowd of more than 200 people.

Newcomers Lee, Africano and Rowe expressed their determination to work with the re-elected officials to make Kankakee County the best in the nation.

"I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and work hard with everyone," Africano said.

Gessner took the opportunity after the swearing in to discuss his plans to combat drug problems. He pointed out that the problem is increasing, with 25 overdose deaths in 2016 vs. 19 in 2015. Heroin and fentanyl were the culprits in the overdose deaths.

"I'm going to work a lot more with the state's attorney (Democrat Jim Rowe) and his office to prosecute those involved in overdose homicides," Gessner said in his speech.

During Gessner's first three terms as county coroner, he worked with Riverside Healthcare to provide the overdose-reversal drug Narcan to police and EMS personnel. The life-saving drug reverses the effects of opiate overdoses. Gessner has also worked toward educating adults and students on the hazards of prescription medications and illegal drug abuse.

While the new officials of Kankakee County have pledged to work together to better the county, the Nov. 8 election was not without controversy. The Kankakee County Attorney General's office investigated complaints of voter fraud from three residents who said they were offered bribes for voting for Democratic candidates Kate Cloonen and Hillary Clinton. In addition, The Kankakee Daily Journal reported that several vote-by-mail applications may have been submitted by non-Kankakee Country residents. The state attorney general is investigating the possible voter fraud.

Interested parties are invited to attend the KCRCC general meetings on the second Thursday each month at its headquarters at 715 Meadowview Center in Kankakee. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input to their elected officials about issues concerning local government.