Kane County Reporter

Kane County Human Services Committee Met May 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chairman Surges called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Clifford Surges	Kane County	Chairman	Present
Anita Lewis	Kane County	Vice Chair	Late	9:10 AM
Deborah Allan	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Mavis Bates	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Mark Davoust	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Mo Iqbal	Kane County	Board Member	Late	9:49 AM
Michael Kenyon	Kane County	Board Member	Present
Corinne M. Pierog	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Chair	Absent
Kenneth C. Shepro	Kane County	Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair	Present

Also present: Other Bd. Members, D. Berman, R. Ford, D. Frasz, M. Gumz, C. Kious, C. Strathmann and V. Tepe; Finance Dir. J. Onzick; HR staff J. Lobrillo; Civil Div. Chief M. Niermann and SA M. Baxter; VAC Supt. J. Zimmerman; ITD staff B. Peters; and members of the press and public.

2. Approval of Minutes: February 10, 2021

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [5 TO 0] MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Michael Kenyon ABSENT: Anita Lewis, Mo Iqbal

3. Public Comment

None

4. Monthly Financial Reports

The monthly financial reports were attached to the agenda for review and are on file. No oral report. 5. Veteran's Assistance Commission

Supt. Zimmerman reported for the month of January the claims are trending 4 days faster for Illinois veterans. Zimmerman reported 10516k pending cases for the state of Illinois acknowledging 158 of those are for this office. He stated $330K in new benefits to clients was reported making January the second month in a row more funds were brought in than received from property taxes. He discussed an increase of healthcare applications as more clients are applying enabling eligibility to receive the covid vaccine through the VA. He noted Hines has opened up eligibility to all veterans regardless of their age or health.

Chair Surges reported the public comment by Barry Roberts during the County Board meeting on March 9, 2021. Mr. Roberts requested a pay increase for Jake Zimmerman and the employees at the veteran's assistance commission. Zimmerman confirmed he did not initiate this request. Surges commended Zimmerman and other VA employees and acknowledged Roberts comments were heard and are being considered. Member Allan confirmed that Zimmerman and the VA Commission staff had received the 2% union and nonunion employees received.

6. Department of Human Resource Management

A. Monthly Blue Cross Blue Shield Invoice

Chair Surges reported the BCBS Invoice was attached for review and mentioned as of 1/31/21 the ending balance was $906,628K. Surges noted the balance appeared to be trending low. HRM staff Lobrillo reported a notification received from BCBS to report an adjustment made rectify a billing error in the months of December and January. The error had created a $165,699K shortage and was the result of the improper amount being deducted for HMO and ASO accounts. Lobrillo stated this would account for some of the reduction. Surges requested follow up discussion after the adjustments were reflected.

B. Monthly BCBS/MERP Graph

Chair Surges reported 56 people are currently enrolled in MERP.

C. Monthly Group Alternatives Report

Chair Surges reviewed the positive trends reflected as the County made quick gains toward rebuilding the $9M reserve goal. He requested comment from Finance Dir. Onzick. Onzick noted it appeared to be trending well but he was not familiar with these reports and could only report on the yearly gains. Further discussion occurred. Onzick responded to a request to clarify the use of County reserves when the County began self-funding their health insurance by reviewing the methodology for supplementing funds with the reserve money. Noting this was done while the County regulated the employee’s monthly financial contribution.

D. Monthly Applicants and Staff Changes

Chair Surges reported there were 160 applicants for the month of February. He continued briefly discussing the report. Further discussion occurred by the committee.

E. Monthly Worker's Compensation Reports

Chair Surges noted positive trends and stated he was pleased with the county's partners at CCMSI. Surges discussed older claims recently settled that are reflected in the reports. Further discussion occurred.

7. Compliance

Chair Surges discussed the need and efforts by the human resource’s staff to have all employees and elected officials complete the electronic training required for our sexual harassment requirement. SA Niermann confirmed the expectation is 100% compliance.

8. Old Business

A. Response to Question about Health Insurance Continuation for Retirees

Chair Surges acknowledged a clarification requested at last month’s meeting in regard to the continuation of medical insurance benefits for our IMRF SLEP retirees.

Staff Lobrillo confirmed the continuation of benefits for IMRF SLEP (sheriff's law enforcement personnel) members regardless of their age at retirement.

B. Resolution: Amending Employee Policy Handbook

Staff Lobrillo reported these are not policy changes they are detailed modifications to the verbiage to clarify and update the language.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: April 7, 2021 TO: Executive Committee MOVER: Mavis Bates, Board Member SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon

Member Iqbal discussed his submitted modification the previous evening and motioned to amend the language, seconded by Lewis. Chair Surges noted he had not reviewed the notification and it was discussed further by the committee. The committee reached a consensus to vote.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: April 7, 2021 Vote on resolution with modifications. TO: Executive Committee MOVER: Mo Iqbal, Board Member SECONDER: Anita Lewis, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon

C. Resolution: Amending the Personnel Policy Handbook Section "Insurance Benefits"

Staff Lobrillo affirmed it was a simple verbiage change defining a retiree’s eligibility at time of employment termination. Iqbal motioned to vote on as amended, seconded by Lewis carried by roll call vote.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [8 TO 1] Next: April 7, 2021 Vote on resolution with modifications. TO: Executive Committee MOVER: Mo Iqbal, Board Member SECONDER: Anita Lewis, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Corinne M. Pierog, Kenneth C. Shepro NAYS: Mark Davoust

SAO Niermann stated the state's attorney's office would work with human resource's staff amending the language prior to next committee. Surges confirmed the resolution was voted on as amended.

9. New Business

None

10. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Corinne M. Pierog, Kenneth C. Shepro

11. Executive Session (If Needed)

None

12. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Board Member AYES: Clifford Surges, Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Corinne M. Pierog, Kenneth C. Shepro

This meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

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