Kankakee County Executive Committee met January 29

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Mar 28, 2020

Kankakee County Executive Committee met Jan. 29.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Sirois, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, and Mr. Miller

Members Absent

Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Tholen, Ms. Haas and Mr. Fetherling

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Smith, Mr. Long and Ms. Parker

 Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Nancy Nicholson, Steve McCarty, Nick Africano, Mark Rogers, Kevin Duval, Erich Blair, Ben Wilson, Karen Smietanski, John Bevis and Delbert Skimerhorn

 Media

None

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Sirois, at 9:01 a.m. Quorum present.

2. Public Comment

None

3. Presentations

None

4. Approval of Minutes: December 19, 2019

Mr. Washington made to approve the minutes, and Mr. Payton seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

5. Legislative – Steve Liehr

Mr. Liehr discussed the need for 2020 census workers. Mr. Liehr attended the UCCI meeting in

Springfield and they reported the lack of census workers.

Mr. Liehr stated that most of the UCCI meeting was concerning the Cannabis Act and the original 800 page act was reduced by 600 pages once they went through it. Mr. Liehr stated that there was a power point presentation and he has copies of that presentation.

6. Appointments

None

7. Information Services – Kevin Duval

Mr. Duval explained to the committee to be aware of what email that you are opening and not to open anything that is suspicious. Even more important is to not forward that email on. Simply delete the email.

8. Health Department – John Bevis

Mr. Bevis updated the committee on the influenza numbers within the county and explained the coronavirus and how it will not impact our area.

9. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy

10. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski

 Monthly Report

Ms. Webber asked how the department assists with the care of the homeless.

Ms. Smietanski updated the committee on the progress of the department with assisting veterans.

There is a fundraiser in Manteno on August 8th

Ms. Smietanski discussed a tiny home village project that she is working on.

There were no questions or comments from the committee

Mr. Hess made a motion to accept the report, and Mr. Liehr seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

11. County Administrator’s Report - Anita Speckman

 Staffing Report

Ms. Speckman reviewed the report with the committee.

There were no questions from the committee.

Ms. Speckman updated the committee on the new EAP program that the county introduced in the beginning of the year. This program is for all employees, whether they have insurance or not.

12. Administrative Issues

 Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments:

Mr. Sirois read the appointments and reappointments to the committee.

 Appointment of Abigail Smith to the Regional Planning Commission

 Appointment of Mark Provost to the Exline Drainage District

 Appointment of Jennifer Lee to the Kankakee County Housing Authority

 Reappointment of Hollice Clark to the Kankakee County Housing Authority

 Reappointment of Ron Sieling to the Kankakee County Housing Authority

 Reappointment of Argusta Carter to the Kankakee County Housing Authority

 Reappointment of Scott O’Brien to the Emergency Telephone System Board

Mr. Byrne made a motion to combine and approve the appointments, and Mr. Kinzinger seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote.