Kankakee County Executive Committee met Aug. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Members Present
Mr. Hess, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. LaGesse, Mr. Fairfield, Ms. Parker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Carrico, and Ms. Zuccollo
Members Absent
Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Ritter
In Attendance
Board Members
Mr. Wheeler
Department Heads
Sheriff Mike Downey, Jim Rowe, Bob Gessner, Tom Latham, Sandi Cianci, Wes Andrews, Anita Speckman, and Kevin Duval
Media Present
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chairman, Mr. Hess at 7:30 a.m.
2. PublicComment
Kim Bacon of Kankakee addressed the committee in regards to immigration.
Rev. Doug Zimmerman of Kankakee spoke in regards to immigration and detention.
3. Approval of Minutes: July 10, 2019
Mr. Byrne made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Carrico seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote
4. Judicial – Chief Judge Michael Kramer
Report on Selection of Full Time Public Defender
Judge Kramer advised the committee that Gus Regas will be retiring at the end of this month. He wanted to publicly thank him for his service and the challenges that he overcome during a difficult financial time.
Judge Kramer announced that Ed Pentuic will be replacing Mr. Regas and comes with over 30 years of experience.
Mr. Hess advised the committee that Coroner, Bob Gessner has a meeting to attend and the agenda would need to be amended to allow Mr. Gessner to give his report next.
Mr. LaGesse made a motion to amend the agenda, and Mr. Byrne seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
11. Coroner’s Office – Bob Gessner Monthly Reports
Monthly Receipts of Money
Mr. Lagesse made a motion to combine and approve the monthly reports and monthly receipts, and Mr. Liehr seconded it.
Mr. Gessner reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee. There were no questions from the committee.
Motion carried with a voice vote.
Mr. Gessner updated the committee that overdoses are down by 2 for the year.
Mr. Gessner thanked Ms. Parker and Mr. Ekhoff for contributing to the prescription drug take backs and they acquired over 50 pounds of prescription drugs. Mr. Gessner also thanked the Sheriff and Jim Rowe for their involvement in those events.
6. Circuit Clerk’s Office - Sandi Cianci
Monthly Report
Computerization Update
Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to combine and approve the monthly report, and Ms.
Zuccollo seconded it.
Ms. Cianci reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee.
Mr. Smith asked how Harris & Harris is paid for their services and is it a percentage.
Ms. Cianci advised that there is a 30% fee for collections through Harris & Harris.
Ms. Cianci stated that the waiver has not made a significant impact at this point, so she is waiting to report on that next month.
Motion carried with a voice vote.
7. State’s Attorney’s Office – Jim Rowe
Grand Jury Report
Grand Jury Statistics Report, June 2019
Mr. Carrico made a motion to combine and approve the report and Ms. Parker seconded it.
Mr. Rowe reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee. Mr. Rowe added that the return of 52 true bills is the highest he has seen.
Motion carried with a voice vote.
Mr. Rowe added that he hopes some of the committee would consider mentoring with the new program that works directly with kids in the court system. It is an outstanding program that allows for intervention and prevention. It’s a small investment for a big impact.
8. Public Defender’s Office – Ed Pentuic Monthly Report
Mr. Fairfield made a motion to approve the report and Mr. LaGesse seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
Mr. Pentuic introduced himself to the committee.
Mr. Rowe added that he is looking forward to working with Mr. Pentuic.
9. Probation – Tom Latham Monthly Report
Mr. Smith made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Mr. Ekhoff seconded it.
Mr. Latham reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.
Mr. Latham advised that there was an increase in the reimbursement for staffing. From the state, there are 3-4 fully funded positions that they have received and the programs are in place on their end.
There were no questions or comments from the committee.
Motion carried with a voice vote.
10. Sheriff/EMA Department – Sheriff Mike Downey
Monthly Report
Mr. LaGesse made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Ms. Zuccollo seconded it.
Sheriff Downey congratulated Ed Pentuic on his position as Public Defender and he looks forward to working with him.
Sheriff Downey created awareness for the start of school and drivers should be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Sheriff Downey made a reminder that with the conviction of passing a school bus with a stop arm out, there is an automatic three month suspension on your driver’s license.
Sheriff Downey reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.
Sheriff Downey noted that there has been an increase in population for inmates and detainees from 2017 to 2019. In 2017 the numbers were US Marshall: 156, ICE: 113, and local inmates were 233. Currently, the average for 2019 is US Marshall: 227, ICE: 151, and local inmates are 267.
Sheriff reviewed the transports and reviewed the calculations and reimbursements for fuel, stating that they are reimbursed for more money than is spent.
Motion carried with a voice vote.
Vehicles FY20
Sheriff Downey updated the committee on the status of the vehicles for the Sheriff’s department. All vehicles are out of warranty and there has been over $140,000 spent on maintenance and repairs.
Sheriff Downey reviewed the vehicles that are necessary which include: 11 Tahoe’s, 2 Dodge Ram 1500’s for Metro, 5 Dodge Ram 1500’s for Investigations and 2 Ram trucks for maintenance.
The total for all vehicles and all necessary computer, camera and equipment is $806,529
Mr. Wheeler stated that this has been talked about in the past. The intent is for this to come out of the capital budget, rather than be absorbed as it was in the past. Mr. Wheeler stated that he would like to have a line item that shows the value of the trade in vehicles and track the benefits of being back in the cycle.
Mr. Hess commented that in what was spent this past year in maintenance, the county could have paid for 3-4 new vehicles.
Mr. Wheeler stated that this would be a topic to go to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Fairfield made a motion to move to the Finance Committee, and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
Mr. Wheeler commented that there have been many problems with the plow truck breaking down and the liability of it.
Sheriff Downey stated that the date has been set for the renaming of the building to Timothy F. Bukowski Public Safety Center. The date will be August 29th at 10:00am. The information will be sent out by email.
12. Old Business/New Business
None
13. Adjournment
Mr. LaGesse made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 a.m., and Ms. Zuccollo seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/criminal_justice_81419.pdf