Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met June 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Rand recognized the passing of previous Board Member Merle Widmer and asked that his family be kept in the thoughts of the Board.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Chairman Rand announced that to hold the meeting electronically as allowed by the State of Emergency declared by the Governor, the Board must suspend its rules. Member Watkins moved to suspend the rules and Member Williams seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

ROLL CALL BY THE COUNTY CLERK

Roll call was taken, and the following members of the Board were present: Members Blair, Bryant, Daley, Dillon, Duncan, Elsasser, Fennell, Groves Allison, Pastucha, Rand, Reliford, Reneau, Rieker, Rosenbohm, Salzer, Watkins, Williams, and Windish.

I. CITIZENS REMARKS

Chief Deputy County Clerk Mike Deluhery read the submitted public comment. See attached for the public comment.

II. RESOLUTION

Chairman Rand detailed that he has met with a wide range of community officials and leaders and that although the economy is off the tracks, the Board cannot act as if the events of the past few weeks did not happen. He discussed conversations with State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, Sheriff Brian Asbell, and Election Commission Executive Director Tom Bride about addressing election access, community engagement, perception of the courts and systemic racism, and security concerns beyond legal, peaceful protesting. He informed that the budget amendment intends to address the concerns of generations of 1 people. He conveyed that it is the Board’s obligation to take on the issue.

1. A resolution from your Budget Committee recommending approval of an additional appropriation totaling $853,500.00 to the County Election Commission, Peoria County Sheriff, and Peoria County States Attorney budgets for the purpose of funding full and fair elections and support of special purpose law enforcement programs.

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Pastucha seconded. Mr. Sorrel presented that the amendment affects three budgets. He highlighted that a change in election law expands vote-by-mail beginning with the November election, noted an extra cost in postage and equipment, and explained that the state may partially reimburse some of the expenses. He detailed that the Sheriff’s budget allows for additional funds in mental health services, patrol services, and a new reentry case manager position. He discussed that the State’s Attorney’s budget would cover a new civil attorney position for social justice reform. He reported that the proposed budget change would take from the reserves of the General Fund, but that the reserve amount exceeds policy, and that the spend would bring it in line with the Board’s policy.

Mr. Bride described the methodology for arriving at the requested amount and that a significant number of voters could use the option.

Sheriff Asbell explained that reform, police legitimacy, and mental health have been a priority and that he is excited to grow the programs. He detailed that the funding can help the office follow through on its mission to help people and grow relationships by

taking more time on each call. He thanked the Board Members for the consideration of the budget amendment and that he is committed to making a model law enforcement agency.

State’s Attorney Hoos expressed that she would like to try to do everything to make a difference rather than see Peoria in the headlines and the funding is a step to bridge a divide. She reported that she intends to hire a civil attorney to act as a liaison to minority communities and a social worker that can help young people. She noted that the three amendments are all connected because the State’s Attorney advises on elections and partially controls the jail population. She highlighted that the timing is appropriate because without Board action, a familiar message would be sent to the minority community and that doing nothing is the wrong answer.

Member Blair inquired about controlling how the money budgeted is spent, and Mr. Sorrel informed that the Board appropriates the funds and that the departments involved have given personal commitments to spend in the areas discussed. Member Groves Allison encouraged the departments to look at those recently laid off with overlapping qualifications for the new positions. Member Bryant expressed that there is concern regarding the black community and the State’s Attorney’s plan for the new position; State’s Attorney Hoos informed that she would like input from the community on where the new attorney fits. Member Bryant conveyed that the black community should be involved in creating the job descriptions and that she can support the amendments to help build a bridge.

Member Pastucha mentioned that there is a misunderstanding about the Sheriff’s budget. She identified that the Sheriff’s budget was cut in May and that the amendment helps fund the critical GED, job training, and mental health programs. She noted that the Sheriff and State’s Attorney working together is powerful. Member Elsasser summarized that he cannot support the measure because it did not go through committee and that the mail-in ballots mandated by the state could be better handled locally. Member Elsasser moved to divide the question, but the motion did not receive a second. He explained that he supports the Sherriff and State’s Attorney’s initiatives, but that the Board should not be tapping into the reserve.

Member Dillon described that the Board found through listening to the departments that too much was cut, but that the resolution is a good example of how government should work to add some funding where it is needed. Member Salzer discussed that due to current circumstances, the funds are necessary to be spent. He identified that the Board is making a needed action. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 2 nays, with Members Elsasser and Windish voting nay.

III. DISCUSSION

There was no further discussion.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS

Member Pastucha asserted that the vote taken is a step, but that the Board needs to take a look at the whole organization through the lens of social justice.

V. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, the Chairman announced the meeting was adjourned.

https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06162020-835