Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Public Safety & Justice Committee met Aug. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Groves Allison – Chairperson; Danny Phelan – Vice Chairperson; Brandy Bryant, Brian Elsasser, Nathan Hoerr, Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Sharon Williams

MEMBERS ABSENT:

OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord, Julie Kusturin – Finance; Becky Spencer – PCAPS; Chris Watkins – Sheriff’s Office; Kevin Lowe – Public Defender

Call to Order

Chairperson Groves Allison called the meeting to order at 1:58 pm.

A motion to approve the participation of Member Hoerr via teleconference was made by Mr. Phelan and seconded by Ms. Williams. The motion carried (6-0).

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of June 25, 2024 and May 28, 2024 was made by Mr. Phelan and seconded by Ms. Bryant. The motion carried (7-0).

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates

• PCAPS Monthly Update

Ms. Spencer directed the committee to the report and noted one additional item. The crematorium needs major repairs and they are in the process of getting estimates to determine whether to repair or replace.

• Public Defender Report

Mr. Lowe directed the committee to the report and gave some highlights regarding staffing, a summer internship, and caseload statistics.

(Mr. Elsasser enters the meeting)

Mr. Rieker asked about the SAFE-T Act and how it impacts the public defender’s workload. Mr. Lowe stated that it has changed staffing in the office because there are detention hearings every day.

• 2024 Federal Office of Detention IGA with Peoria County

Sheriff Watkins advised that the department has been in negotiations with the Federal Government and U.S. Marshalls since April 1, 2024 for the Federal detainee rate. The

detainee rate that was $85 per day per person increased to $95 per day per person and the transportation and medical rate of $35 per hour to $55 per hour.

• StarChase Technology

Sheriff Watkins advised that the StarChase technology deploys a GPS tracking dart that will adhere to a car that is being chased. This will be safer than car chases and is endorsed by the ACLU.

Ms. Groves Allison asked if there is any training involved. Mr. Watkins advised that there is installation training as well as policy training.

Ms. Bryant asked if the technology is installed on the car itself. Mr. Watkins stated that it is.

Resolutions

• Raised Flooring Bid – Jail

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Phelan and seconded by Mr. Reneau. Sheriff Watkins advised that the existing raised flooring in the Jail Tech Box area had degraded to the point where it needed to be replaced. Other remodeling work in the Jail Tech Box area cannot proceed until the existing raised flooring is removed and replaced.

The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• Agreement between the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Brimfield for intermittent police patrols within the Village

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Phelan seconded by Ms. Williams. Sheriff Watkins advised that the Village of Brimfield has requested 10.5 hours per week of intermittent police patrols within the Village from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Brimfield would like to enter into an intergovernmental agreement to provide these intermittent police patrols within the Village of Brimfield.

The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Peoria County Sheriff

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Mr. Phelan. Mr. Sorrel advised that effective July 1, 2024, a 4.7% cost of living adjustment was approved for all Illinois State’s Attorneys through the Illinois Senate. In accordance with the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/3-6007.5) the salary of the Sheriff shall not be less than 80% of the State’s Attorney’s annual compensation. Therefore, in compliance with said Counties Code, the Sheriff’s Office is requesting the annual salary of the Sheriff be increased to $165,372.36, which is equivalent to 80% of the State’s Attorney’s salary. The reimbursement revenue received will increase to $9,186.46 per month.

The motion to approve carried (8-0).

• Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Peoria County Public Defender

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Elsasser and seconded by Mr. Phelan. Mr. Sorrel advised that in accordance with the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/3-4007), full-time public defenders’ salaries must be at least 90% of the State’s attorney’s annual compensation.

Therefore, in compliance with said Counties Code, the Courts are requesting the annual salary of the Public Defender be increased to $186,044.36, which is equivalent to at least 90% of the State’s Attorney’s salary.

The motion to approve carried (8-0).

Public Comment

Ms. Groves Allison called for any public comments. There were none.

Miscellaneous

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Groves Allison at 2:19 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08272024-1649