Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Executive Committee met May 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

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

Members Absent

Mr. Tholen

In Attendance

• Board Members

Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Smith, Ms. Parker, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Long

• Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Kevin Duval, John Bevis and Nancy Nicholson

• Media

None

1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Wheeler, at 9:00 a.m. Quorum present.

2. Public Comment None

3. Presentations None

4. Approval of Minutes: February 26, 2020

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

5. Resolution Regarding the Reopening of the Economy in Kankakee County

Mr. Byrne requested to start the discussion regarding the reopening.

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

Mr. Byrne read the resolution in its entirety to the committee. Mr. Byrne stated that using the numbers for our county with the Governors formula, Kankakee County would be moved to Phase 4 of the plan beginning on June 8th.

Mr. Payton asked if the fourth paragraph is necessary.

Mr. Byrne stated that this is open for discussion with edits to be made and have the resolution move on to full board.

Mr. Wheeler asked if that was a motion to amend?

Mr. Payton made a motion to amend the resolution by removing paragraph four, and Mr. Washington seconded it.

Mr. Kinzinger stated that the only sentence to be removed would be the first sentence.

Mr. Fetherling asked if Mr. Byrne could clarify on the 4th paragraph and if it is necessary to be included. 

Mr. Fetherling stated that he would like to see the paragraph left in the resolution.

Mr. Sirois stated that the last sentence of the paragraph is the only sentence that should remain. He agrees that the rest of the paragraph could be removed.

Ms. Haas commented on the mental health impact from the shutdown.

Mr. Liehr stated that the first sentence could be removed. The extension is the issue to oppose, not the original Executive Order because of the seriousness and unknown of the virus.

Mr. Washington asked if anyone can estimate the damage that has been done to the County, there have been many mental health issues throughout the state, but this resolution seems like an afterthought. Mr. Washington recommended that we wait and see what is going on as the virus numbers flattens.

Mr. Liehr made a motion to amend and leave the second sentence, but remove the first. Mr. Payton and Mr. Washington agreed.

The motion is to amend the resolution by removing the second paragraph.

Mr. Wheeler advised the committee will vote to amend. A yes vote means that you wish to remove the first sentence and a no vote means you want to leave the resolution as is.

Motion to amend carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting Aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Hess stated that he voted for the amendment and last committee he had asked Mr. Rowe if there was any teeth to this type of resolution. Mr. Hess stated that Mr. Rowe said no. Mr. Hess expressed concern for the state licenses and the county advising our business owners to open up when their license renewal could be at risk.

Mr. Wheeler clarified that he agreed with the liability and this resolution in no way tells the public to open up. This resolution is a recommendation to the Governor to look at the County of Kankakee numbers and that we should be in the next phase according to the plan that the Governor released.

Mr. Wheeler stated that Mr. Hess would like to see the liability and risk clarified within the document to be clearer.

Mr. Liehr agreed and suggested a paragraph be added for clarification.

Executive Committee Meeting May 27, 2020 Mr. Wheeler suggested that there should be more clarity in opening at your own risk. Mr. Wheeler suggested the word strongly to be added before recommended when referring to wearing a mask.

Mr. Liehr made a motion to amend, and Mr. Sirois seconded it.

Mr. Kinzinger asked for Mr. Byrne to reread the last paragraph.

Mr. Liehr called point of order.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Wheeler asked Mr. Kinzinger which paragraph was to be reread. Mr. Kinzinger advised that Mr. Byrne read the resolution differently than the resolution that he has on hand.

Mr. Byrne confirmed that he made a mistake in reading the resolution.

Mr. Kinzinger made a motion to amend and include the wording strongly recommended, Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Ms. Webber asked if there was data that was submitted to the Governor.

Mr. Wheeler asked if there were any other changes.

Mr. Wheeler confirmed that there will be something added to the last whereas, in order to clarify the risk of reopening. The county does not have the power to authorize any business to open and also check with their insurance provider to be certain that they are covered with their policy.

Mr. Hess made a motion to add a paragraph about insurance, state licensing and the risk and liability along with the clarification that the county does not have the authority to open or close businesses. Mr. Miller seconded it. Motion Carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Liehr stated that the last paragraph is a violation of state statute in regards to perdiem.

Mr. Wheeler stated that each board member can forgo their perdiem if they wish, but that the paragraph should be removed. Mr. Liehr made a motion to remove the paragraph regarding perdiem, Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 11 ayes and 1 nay. Voting nay was Mr. Byrne.

Mr. Wheeler asked if the committee had any other changes for the resolution or questions about the contents. There were no further changes from the committee.

Mr. Wheeler reviewed the data that was collected by the local hospitals and health department that support Kankakee County not being included with Region 1 that includes Cook County. Mr. Wheeler reviewed the data with the committee that supports Kankakee County is in a different place than others.

The committee discussed the data in Kankakee County as well as how deaths were tallied from COVID-19.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the special board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 2.

Motion to approve the resolution as amended and move to a Special County Board meeting carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Mr. Byrne, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

6. Legislative

Mr. Liehr commented on information provided from UCCI in regards to the federal government disbursing the CARES act funds. Another item of impact was legislation that expands vote by mail procedures. There was discussion for curbside voting and secure ballot drop boxes as well as the ability to vote by mail. Election day will be a school holiday so there will be places to vote. There was a progressive income tax developed and people will want to keep an eye on that. Mr. Liehr stated that there was legislation passed regarding homestead exemptions and Mr. Blair will be commenting further at the Community Services meeting.

Mr. Wheeler stated that due to the changes in the state, it is possible that the county may have to move money around in the future to accommodate the state disbursements.

Mr. Wheeler stated the open meetings changes have been extended, so the county will continue to do remote meetings. There is not enough room in the board room to practice social distance.

Mr. Wheeler commented on the passing businesses being allowed to serve Alcohol drinks to go. This expires in one year and transpired due to COVID.

7. Appointments None

8. Information Services – Kevin Duval None

9. Health Department – John Bevis Mr. Bevis thanked everyone for their efforts for the work involved in the Healthy Business Alliance of Kankakee County. Mr. Bevis has worked on standard operating procedures for complaints against businesses that are opening against the Governors orders. He also has been working on the funding for the contact tracing grant through the entire county.

10. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy None

11. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski

• Monthly Report

Executive Committee Meeting May 27, 2020

There was no report for the committee to review this month.

12. 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 processes that have been put in place for the county to remain within the guidelines reopening.

13. Administrative Issues

➢ Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments:

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

• Appointment of Brian Stauffenburg to the Manteno Community Fire Protection District

• Appointment of Gene Rademacher to the Grant Park Fire Protection District

Mr. Hess made a motion to combine and approve the appointments, and Ms. Haas seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

➢ Openings: 

Mr. Wheeler read each of the available openings to the committee members.

✓ One Opening on the Manteno No. 9 Drainage District 

✓ Three Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission 

✓ One Opening on the Kankakee County GIS Committee (Board Member) 

✓ One Opening on the Zoning Board of Appeals 

✓ One Opening on the Cabery Area Fire Protection District 

✓ One Opening on the Essex Township Fire Protection District 

✓ One Opening on the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District 

✓ One Opening on the Otto Township Fire Protection District 

✓ One Opening on the Pilot Township Fire Protection District 

✓ One Opening on the St. Anne Fire Protection District

13. New Business None

14. Old Business None

Executive Committee Meeting May 27, 2020 15. Other Business None

16. Adjournment Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:29 a.m., and Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/executive_52720.pdf