Kane County Judicial and Public Safety Committee met Sept. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Rebecca Gillam | Board Member | Present |
| Kurt R. Kojzarek | Vice Chair | Present |
| Bill Lenert | Board Member | Present |
| Monica Silva | Board Member | Present |
| Thomas Smith | Board Member | Present |
| Susan Starrett | Board Member | Absent |
| John Martin | Chairman | Present |
2. Approval of Minutes: August 16, 2018
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
SECONDER: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
3. Public Comment
Bob McQuillan, Kane County resident, felt the issues with Maxxam Partners and the State’s Attorney’s Office went hand in hand. He concluded that the State's Attorney's Office, having two high profile cases going at the same time, made a quick settlement on the Maxxam case. He was of the opinion that the County Board members approved the Special Use request out of fear. McQuillan disputed representations made by the outside attorney that the settlement would not cost Kane County taxpayers a dime, insurance would cover everything. He discussed the issue of the County’s liability insurance costs rising. In response to a statement by State’s Attorney McMahon, McQuillan regarded it as it being his business how the State’s Attorney runs his office.
Mike Hanus, Campton Hills resident, shared his concerns over the Maxxam facility's effects on the fire department. He discussed an ambulance call he placed in June for his wife who sustained a back injury. They live about five minutes from the fire department but the response time was 20 minutes. The delayed response was the result of an ongoing budget shortfall; the one ambulance the department was able to staff was out on another call. The Maxxam facility will add a 120-250 bed hospital to the area. It will result in an increased call load on an already overloaded, underfunded fire district.
Atty. Van Richards, Kane County resident, stated the County Board vote on August 14 was not about public safety. He felt the lawsuit against Maxxam was not properly defended. He visited State's Atty. McMahon to see why a settlement was being discussed so early in the case. Through research, he found the attorneys hired to represent the County had not done any trial preparation by taking depositions, issuing subpoenas, or serving notices to admit facts. At the County Board meeting on August 14, McMahon stated that the Board instructed him to hold off discovery and not take any depositions. Richards found that hard to believe. This lawsuit should be a jury case involving public safety and public health. The lawyers defending the County had a valid, solid defense. In his opinion, the only discrimination should be against Maxxam’s future patients because the facility is too far from a hospital. He felt McMahon was distracted by the other case downtown.
Robert Wagner, Campton Hills resident, spoke in opposition to the Maxxam zoning petition. He provided a review of the Maxxam petition process and litigation. He asked why the County would want to enable Maxxam to force their proposal over objections made by the residents in the face of real risk to home owner safety and disregard of their property values. Wagner thought the Board and State's Attorney gave up the lawsuit without a fight. Residents should be entitled to a vigorous defense. Taxpayers’ money went to Traveler's Insurance to defend the County in these frivolous cases. He concluded the facts did not support Maxxam's lawsuit. Residents should be owed complete disclosure and discovery.
4. Monthly Financial Reports
Monthly financial reports were included in the agenda packet. Finance staff Waggoner reported in the General Fund the Coroner's Office is trending higher than recommended due to an increase of expenses in salary and wages, the Sheriff's Office is trending higher in contractual expenses, and the Public Defender is trending slightly higher because of encumbrances. In the Special Revenue Funds, areas that are trending high have been reviewed and discussed. They will continue to monitor each area.
5. State's Attorney (J. McMahon)
Asst. State's Atty. Engerman shared case statistics noting the numbers are on par with last year. Asst. State's Atty. Brady presented the following resolution:
A. Resolution: Authorizing Renewal and Amendment No. 4 to Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Kane and the Child Advocacy Center of Kane County and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
This authorizes Amendment 4 to the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Kane, the Kane County Child Advocacy Center, and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/3/2018 9:00 AM
TO: Executive Committee
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member
SECONDER: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
Referencing a presentation not included in the agenda packet, Chairman Lauzen initiated a discussion on the questions, "Who is paying for the Laquan McDonald prosecution in Cook County? How much is this costing Kane County taxpayers? And, why are our Kane County defense outcomes so bad?" Lauzen has tried to address these issues directly with State's Atty. McMahon. He discussed slides showing McMahon's JPS attendance and various quotes. The idea that Kane County is obligated to pay Cook County expenses as taxpayers is false. At least one other State's Attorney from a neighboring County turned down the offer to prosecute. There was no discussion at any of the committee meetings prior to McMahon taking the case. Lauzen highlighted a spreadsheet showing the yearly compensation for five of the County prosecutors on the case. He noted his concerns over the Federal Judge recusing herself. Referencing a timeline from 2010-2018, Lauzen outlined McMahon's involvement in Campton Hills.
6. Sheriff/Adult Corrections (D. Kramer)
Sheriff Kramer noted the monthly reports have been included in the agenda packet. Referencing a handout, he reviewed a five-year report on criminal statistics noting the top areas of concern. The Correctional Center is down five officers. They have exhausted their list and will be testing again next month. He swore in two new deputies for Public Safety this morning. Kramer reported they have expended 75% of their FY18 budget. He discussed various forums they have participated in and promoted upcoming events.
7. Judiciary & Courts (Chief Judge Clancy Boles/D. Naughton)
Chief Judge Boles provided a verbal report noting various County representatives attended the Tyler Technologies Executive forum. They learned about capabilities of the new Court Case Management system. Boles shared an overview of Tyler's new online dispute resolution system called Modria. It will allow individuals to handle various disputes online instead of reporting to court.
8. Court Services Administration (L. Aust)
Staff Hill noted the monthly report has been included in the agenda packet.
9. Juvenile Justice Center (M. Davis)
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. Supt. Davis reported the JJC was recently awarded a 2-year USDA Farm to School grant. He thanked the County Development Department for their help with the grant. Davis noted on the September 5 they hosted a Feed my Starving Children event where the kids helped package 15,552 meals.
10. KaneComm (M. Guthrie)
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. KaneComm Dir. Guthrie noted they are in the testing process for hiring. Interviews should be completed by the end of October. She announced Shelly Lemons celebrated 25 years with KaneComm in August.
11. Merit Commission
Staff Zies provided a verbal report noting they are preparing to test for Corrections Officers. They have completed the interview process for Lieutenants and Sergeants for Deputy Officers with 25 good candidates.
12. Circuit Clerk (T. Hartwell)
A monthly report was included in the agenda packet. Staff Herwick reported that last month they had an all-time high in civil eFilings. People have been getting more comfortable using the system. The State of Illinois has required the civil application to be upgraded by the end of the year. They are on track to have it completed by end of October or early November.
13. Public Defender (K. Childress)
Public Defender Childress reported they are still working on her monthly report; their office manager has been out on medical leave.
14. Coroner (R. Russell)
A monthly report was included in the agenda packet.
15. Executive Session
The committee entered into Executive Session at 9:47 a.m. to discuss the Release of Closed Session minutes.
13. Public Defender (K. Childress)
Public Defender Childress reported they are still working on her monthly report; their office manager has
been out on medical leave.
14. Coroner (R. Russell)
A monthly report was included in the agenda packet.
15. Executive Session
The committee entered into Executive Session at 9:47 a.m. to discuss the Release of Closed Session
minutes.
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member
SECONDER: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
The committee returned to open session at 9:50 a.m.
16. Release of Closed Session Minutes
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member
SECONDER: Monica Silva, Board Member
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
17. Place Written Reports on File
RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Monica Silva, Board Member
SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
18. Adjournment
RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
SECONDER: Monica Silva, Board Member
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
ABSENT: Susan Starrett
This meeting was adjourned at 9:52 AM.
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2193&Inline=True
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