Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Public Safety & Justice Committee met June 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Attendance

Present:

Members: Member Groves Allison, Member Phelan, Member Bryant, Member Daley, Member Elsasser, Member Reneau, Member Rieker, Member Rosenbohm, Member Williams

Staff & Guests:

Scott Sorrel, Jennie Cordis Boswell, Chris Watkins, Scott Mettille, Heather McCord, Julie Kusturin, Robert Spears, Megan Bentley

Absent:

Members:

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1 Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Groves Allison at 2:01 pm.

A motion to admit Member Elsasser and Member Reneau to the meeting via teleconference was made by Member Phelan and was seconded by Member Bryant.

Motion Carried. (7-0)

Abstained: Member Elsasser and Member Reneau

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2.1 April 22, 2025

A motion to approve the Public Safety and Justice Committee meeting minutes from April 22, 205 was made by Member Phelan and was seconded by Member Bryant.

Motion Carried. (8-0)

Absent: Member Elsasser

Teleconference: Member Reneau

3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS / REPORTS / OTHER MINUTES / UPDATES

3.1 Circuit Clerk Update

Mr. Spears advised construction started today. He stated there are 22 young women and men scanning and prepping for the move. There is still scanning downstairs, half of that area will go to Jodi Hoos office and a vault will be installed. Mr. Spears stood for questions; there were none.

3.2 Coroner Update

No one was present from the coroner's office to provide an update.

3.3 PCAPS Monthly Update

Ms. Spencer was not present to provide an update.

4. RESOLUTIONS

4.1 Circuit Clerk scanning project for remodel

A motion to approve the resolution was made by Member Williams and was seconded by Member Daley.

Mr. Spears advised they are requesting $150,000.00 to complete the scanning project and employ the students. He stated this will take the project to the end of 2025.

Chairperson Groves Allison asked Mr. Sorrel to discuss how this was recommended as a budget amendment through the Finance Department.

Mr. Sorrel advised the additional funds the Clerk will need to pay the interns are not included in the original appropriation that was approved last fall. He stated the source of funds for this budget amendment are the reserves of the general fund and would be appropriated into the Circuit Clerk's general fund department, should the Board approve it. He explained it comes to this committee because of the dollar threshold that is in the Board's Rules of Order for what is an oversight committee decision versus a Finance Committee decision.

Chairperson Groves Allison called for questions from the committee.

Member Rieker requested that Mr. Spears provide a little more explanation. He asked when the records are scanned in if they go into the court digital system.

Mr. Spears advised the records are scanned into Tyler Technologies court system. He stated the cases can be brought up as they are needed. He further stated next month they would be going to a cloud system.

Member Rieker asked how we can ensure the records are properly retained, that they are searchable, retrievable, and that there is a backup.

Mr. O'Connor advised starting in 2016, every file is digital. Retention policies have changed as well. Previously files were on microfilm, were sent out, then were sent back on CD and individual files would be loaded into the case management system on a case-by-case basis.

Member Rieker asked if we are compliant with the retention rules.

Mr. Spears confirmed.

Member Rosenbohm asked if everything would be digitized by next year.

Mr. O'Connor confirmed. He advised there will be a small portion of documents the students cannot do. He stated the next step would be getting everything on microfilm digitized.

Mr. Spears stated they attempted to get grants from the state. He explained that just to digitize the microfilm it would be over a million dollars. The machine they use to view the microfilm is outdated.

Member Phelan asked where they found all the students.

Mr. Spears stated there was staff that had asked if their children could come in and work.

Motion Carried. (9-0)

Teleconference: Member Elsasser, Member Reneau

4.2 Peoria County Sheriff's Office FY 25 Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Grant Program

A motion to approve the resolution was made by Member Daley and was seconded by Member Phelan.

Mr. Watkins advised the grant writer applied for a grant from ILETSB for $372,000.00. He explained the NIBIN, how it works and why it is necessary. He stated they have been using Peoria's NIBIN machine.

Chairperson Groves Allison asked what the process is for using the city's NIBIN.

Mr. Watkins stated sometimes they have to wait until they're available to use it. One of his people went through the training so they don't have to receive assistance from their people. He explained sometimes they have to wait 12 hours or a day to get in and use the city's NIBIN.

Chairperson Groves Allison stated Member Reneau shared that this is what he anticipated would be the standard cost for the machine would be.

Mr. Watkins stated it comes with almost seven years of subscription service for this machine also.

Chairperson Groves Allison called for questions from the committee.

Member Daley stated that the grant writer is doing a great job.

Motion Carried. (9-0)

Teleconference: Member Elsasser, Member Reneau

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

5.1 Public Comment

Chairperson Groves Allison called for public comments. There were none.

6. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Miscellaneous

Chairperson Groves Allison called for miscellaneous comments. There were none.

7. ADJOURNMENT

7.1 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Groves Allison at 2:27 pm.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242025-1777