Kane County Committee of the Whole met March 30
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Pierog called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM.
2. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Barbara Wojnicki | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Chairman | Present | |
| Dale Berman | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| David Brown | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Drew Frasz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| John Martin | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Jarett Sanchez | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Steve Weber | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Deborah Allan | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mavis Bates | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mark Davoust | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Ron Ford | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Michelle Gumz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mo Iqbal | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Michael Kenyon | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Chris Kious | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Tom Koppie | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Bill Lenert | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Anita Lewis | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Myrna Molina | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Monica Silva | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Cherryl Strathmann | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Clifford Surges | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Vern Tepe | Kane County | Board Member | Present |
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Jim Morefield from the County Clerk's Office led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approval of Minutes: February 23, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Chris Kious, Board Member SECONDER: Clifford Surges, Board Member AYES: Barbara Wojnicki, Corinne M. Pierog, Dale Berman, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Jarett Sanchez, Steve Weber, Kenneth C. Shepro, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Ron Ford, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Tom Koppie, Anita Lewis, Myrna Molina, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe ABSENT: John Martin, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva |
None.
6. Presentations/Discussion
A. CASA Presentation (Gloria Kelley)
Exec. Dir. of CASA Gloria Kelley announced that FY21 was the 33rd year of child advocacy in Kane County. She spoke on the significant increase in abuse and neglect cases and the growing demands for funding and staff. Kelley explained a multitude of challenges that case workers have faced during the pandemic. She discussed the changes in court proceedings and additions to the case load. Kelley spoke on the needs of the children within the CASA program. She expressed gratitude to the GAL volunteers. She spoke on the time requirements for recruiting, screening, and training procedures. She talked about witnessing both negative aspects and success stories. Kelley provided a brief history and stated that over the past 33 years there have been significant changes. Kelley discussed the hiring of two people to help represent CASA in probate and abuse and neglect. She made the committee aware that CASA volunteers continue to be needed. Member Surges acknowledged the Kane County CASA team and the important role that they play in the life of the children they serve. Kelley explained that CASA partners with the Judicial System, County Board, and investors. She thanked the Committee for over 20 years of support of the program. She answered several questions from the Committee. Kelley explained the importance of “See something, Say something”. She stated that anyone who works with schools or with children is mandated by law to report any abuse or suspicion of abuse of a child. She provided the phone number to call (800) 25ABUSE.
B. JJC Build Out Presentation (Chief Judge Hull)
Chief Judge Hull introduced Judge Parga, Court Services Dir. Aust, Court Admin. Naughton and Bldg. Mngmt. Dir. Allen. He stated the need of a second courtroom due to the increase in abuse and neglect cases in Kane County. Hull spoke on the goal to acquire approval to build out a second court room at the Juvenile Justice Center by January 1, 2022. He discussed an 80% increase in abuse and neglect cases and projected that they will continue to rise. Hull reported on the changes that have been made to the DCFS system as a result of the A.J. Freund case to make sure children are kept safe. He explained that there has been one courtroom at the JJC and a separate courtroom for delinquency at the Third Street Courthouse. Judge Parga described several challenges of the current abuse & neglect courtroom. She stated that three important goals could be met if the delinquency call and the abuse & neglect call were combined at the Juvenile Justice Center. Parga explained that it would better serve the needs of children and their families who are dually involved in the system. The judges would hear cases for both abuse/neglect and delinquency cases, so they would be able to take a holistic approach to kids involved in both areas. Parga referred to the Juvenile Court Act which has the requirement to protect the privacy and confidentiality of children. She stated that there have been several obstacles in the way of that protection at the current site. She explained many benefits of the JJC. Parga stated that the Juvenile Justice Center has been dedicated exclusively to children and their families to maintain privacy and confidentiality. Judge Hull addressed the original plans of the JJC which had a projected expansion of a second courtroom. He stated that Cordogan & Clark has provided an estimate to build out the second courtroom which was in the original design. He reiterated that it will not be an addition. Hull provided a layout of the design which will make use of available space. He discussed potential funding options and listed multiple line items that displayed savings throughout the Covid shutdown. Hull spoke on the timeline of committee meetings where it will be presented for approval. Judge Hull answered several questions from the committee. Much discussion ensued. Committee members showed much support.
C. FIOA Presentation (Erin Brady)
Assistant States Attorney Brady discussed the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. She explained that they promote transparency and accountability in government offices. Brady stated that employees and officers of public bodies are required to know important rules and procedures in order to carry out duties. She outlined the obligations of FOIA. She stated that public documents need to be accessible for inspection or copying and provided a timeline in which documentation or an appropriate denial letter need to be received by the requestor. Brady defined public records and gave examples. She spoke on the disclosure of records and items that are exempt. Brady detailed the FOIA request procedure by a designated FOIA officer. She explained the duties and training of the FOIA officer. She spoke on the time in which the public body has to respond to a FOIA request and extensions that may be permitted. Brady noted fees that can be associated with a FOIA request. She spoke on the consequences for failure to respond in a timely manner. She discussed the procedures for granting, denial or partial denial of requests. Brady explained that a FOIA requestor can have a denied request reviewed by a Public Access Counselor to determine if further action is warranted. She spoke on the potential for litigation, fines and fees for willful violation of the Act.
Assistant State’s Attorney Brady stated the intent of the Open Meetings Act which is to ensure that the actions, meetings, and deliberations of public bodies are conducted openly. She defined several terms and rules of notice for public meetings. Brady discussed an electronic training and certificate once completed. She explained some conditions that need to be met for a closed session. She stated no final action can be taken during a closed meeting. Brady discussed several guidelines on public notices and agenda. She stated that an item cannot be voted on if it is not noticed on the agenda. Brady noted additional important points of the Open Meetings Act, which include written minutes, the approval and posting of those minutes. She talked about the public’s right to speak at an open meeting and remedies for noncompliance. Brady spoke on possible consequences of any violations of the terms of the Open Meetings Act. She stated that the Open Meetings Act was amended due to the pandemic which allowed broader parameters for remote meetings when an emergency has been declared so long as one member of the body or counsel is present in the physical location of the meeting. She noted a requirement for a roll call for any meeting that includes a remote means so all individuals can be identified. Brady answered several questions from the committee. Much discussion on FOIA and the Open Meetings Act occurred.
7. Executive Session (If Needed)
None.
8. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Barbara Wojnicki, Corinne M. Pierog, Dale Berman, David Brown, Drew Frasz, Jarett Sanchez, Steve Weber, Kenneth C. Shepro, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Ron Ford, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Tom Koppie, Anita Lewis, Myrna Molina, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe ABSENT: John Martin, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva |
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2938&Inline=True
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