Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Executive Committee Met April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Members Absent

Mr. Kinzinger

In Attendance

• Board Members

Larry Kerkstra and Kenneth Smith

• Department Heads

Anita Speckman, John Bevis, Delbert Skimerhorn, John Coghlan, Theresa Goudie, Mike Downey, Kevin Duval and Lori Gadbois

Media

Present

1. Call to Order

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

2. Public Comment

None

3. Approval of Minutes: February 23, 2021

Ms. Polk made a motion to approve and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler noted that Ms. Polk was present by zoom and confirmed the vote as aye.

4. Presentations

5. Legislative – Steve Liehr

Mr. Liehr reviewed the UCCI updates with the committee. The census was released and due to population, Illinois will be losing a seat.

7. Information Services – Kevin Duval

• Monthly Update

Mr. Duval updated the committee on the current projects within his office. Mr. Duval stated that he would like to see the band width increased at the courthouse. The committee agreed that it should be an investment to increase the bandwidth.

8. Health Department – John Bevis

•COVID-19 Update

Mr. Bevis presented the most recent numbers to the committee and the next steps involved in moving forward.

9. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy

None

10. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski

• Monthly Report

Ms. Smietanski was available to take any questions from the committee. There were no additional questions or comments.

Mr. Payton made a motion to approve and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

11. County Administrator’s Report – Anita Speckman

• Monthly Report

• Confidentiality of Records Policy Provision

Mr. Wheeler revised the policy updates with the committee, which were textual changes to comply with HIPAA laws.

Mr. Sirois made a motion to approve and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

11. Administrative Issues

➢ Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments:

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

• Reappointment of Edward VanDrunen to the Union Drainage District #2

• Reappointment of Larry Leriger to the Union Drainage District #2

• Reappointment of Joseph M. Kane to the Kankakee County Board of Review

• Reappointment of Mark Kaner to the Kankakee County Board of Review

• Reappointment of Charmaine Sims to the Grand Park Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Eddie T. Kennedy to the Essex Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Patrick O’Brien to the Essex Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of David Horn to the Greater Momence Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Dennis Bonvallet to the St. Anne Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Joe Abrassart to the Otto Township Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of David Peters to the Manteno Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Patrick Koerner to the Cabery Area Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Kathleen Curl to the Reddick Fire Protection District

• Appointment of Robert Lowery to the Reddick Fire Protection District

• Reappointment of Randy L. Myers to the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District

Mr. Hunter made a motion to combine and approve and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

➢ Openings

Mr. Wheeler read the openings to the committee.

• One Opening on the Raymond Drainage Distict

• One Opening on the Spring Creek Drainage District

• One Opening on the Canavan Drainage District

• One Opening on the Gar Creek Drainage District

• One Opening on the Little Beaver Special Drainage District

• One Opening on the McGillivray Special Drainage District

• One Opening on the Minnie Creek Drainage District

• One Opening on the Momence & Yellowhead Drainage District No.1

• One Opening on the Kankakee County Farmland Assessment Review Committee

• One Opening on the Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District Board

• Two Openings on the Kankakee County Board of Health (Medical Doctors)

• Two Openings on the Momence-Pembroke Union Drainage District No.1

• Three Openings on the Manteno No.9 Drainage District

• Six Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission

• One Opening on the Essex Township Fire Protection District

• One Opening on the Pilot Township Fire Protection District

• Two Openings on the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District

12. New Business

• Discussion and Adoption of Kankakee County Board Legislative Agenda

Mr. Wheeler stated that included in the packet are descriptions and overview of each bill. Department Heads were also notified to express their opinion on bills concerning their offices and impact the county.

Mr. Wheeler stated that these are bills that are currently in the hands of legislators and the county should take a position on these.

The committee reviewed and discussed the legislative agenda.

Mr. Hess made a motion to approve as presented and Ms. Webber seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

• HB1952 – Juvenile Cannabis

The committee reviewed the bill with Sheriff Downey

Mr. Long made a motion to oppose the bill and Mr. Hess seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote. 

• HB3085 – Cannabis Possession – Not Criminal

Mr. Fairfield made a motion to oppose HB3085 and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote. 

• HB3252 – Overdose Medical Treatment

Mr. Hess made a motion to oppose HB3252 and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter and Mr. Sirois. Voting Nay was Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

• HB2789 – Gives IDPH the power to open or close schools.

Mr. Sirois made a motion to oppose HB2789 and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote. • HB1711 – Anti Puppy Mill Bill

Ms. Webber made a motion to support HB1711 and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

• Proclamation Declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month

• Proclamation in Support of National Safe Boating Week

Mr. Wheeler reviewed the proclamations with the committee.

Mr. Hunter made a motion to combine and approve and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler confirmed the voice vote by Ms. Polk, present by Zoom, was an aye vote.

13. Old Business

• An Ordinance Allowing the Establishment of Cannabis Businesses Within Unincorporated Kankakee County

Mr. Wheeler advised that this would rescind the previous resolution to not allow Cannabis Businesses within Unincorporated Kankakee County.

Ms. Polk made a motion to rescind the previous resolution and allow Cannabis Businesses within unincorporated Kankakee County, and Mr. Fetherling seconded it.

The committee reviewed and discussed Cannabis within unincorporated Kankakee County.

Roll Call Vote was tied. Voting aye were: Ms. Polk, Mr. Payton, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Sirois. Voting nay were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico and Mr. Long.

Chairman Wheeler advised that when a tie occurs, the Chair can choose to move forward with a recommendation for approval.

The Ordinance moves forward to the full county board meeting.

14. Other Business

None

15. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:38 a.m., and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/executive_42721.pdf