Will County Democratic Caucus Committee met Jan. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Majority Leader Mark Ferry called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Mark Ferry | Majority Leader | Present |
| Tyler Marcum | Majority Whip | Present |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | Member | Present |
| Mimi Cowan | Member | Present |
| Kenneth E. Harris | Member | Present |
| Amanda Koch | Member | Present |
| Donald A. Moran | Member | Present |
| Meta Mueller | Member | Present |
| Beth Rice | Member | Present |
| Laurie Summers | Member | Present |
| Jacqueline Traynere | Member | Present |
| Joe VanDuyne | Member | Absent |
| Rachel Ventura | Member | Present |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Speaker | Present |
Present from State's Attorney's Office: M. Tatroe.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Ms. Ventura led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Governance Rules and Procedures for the Will County Board in the County of Will, State of Illinois
Mr. Ferry stated Ms. Dunn will take us through the proposed changes to the Rules.
I will acknowledge one person at a time to comment.
Ms. Dunn began a reviewed changes; the first change is on page 4 under 1.03 section B. “All staff of the Board shall work at the direction of the County Board Speaker”. It was suggested to add after Speaker “and County Board members”. Since this involves my position, Ms. Winfrey will explained the reasons behind not making the change.
Ms. Winfrey stated the added part C ties into part B. The Speaker is the representative of the members and you would not need to say “and County Board members”. You would allow your representative to be the lead, which is how it was before. Item “C” is changes to the Chief of Staff position. The Chief of Staff works at the direction of the Speaker and the ruling party gets to pick the person. They can keep the person currently in the position or pick someone new. The Board is set up with a hierarchy like any organization or corporation; with a CEO or Speaker, followed by the rank and file positions. The CEO does not involve all members in the decision of hiring a trusted aide. The process used to pick the Chief of Staff was; the majority leader, whip, immediate past Leader, Mr. Brooks and I sat down and looked at all the submitted resumes, reviewed them, talked about the qualifications, put in our input and came to the decision to hire Ms. Dunn as the Chief of Staff. The proposal would include all 26 people in the decision. That defeats the purpose of hiring a trusted aide to the Speaker rather than the Board. The other thing problematic is having 26 people with access to personnel files; it seems to violate basic personnel rules.
Ms. Ventura stated I would like these to be talked about separately, because I meant them as two separate things. Part “B” is the staff works at the direction of County Board and its Speaker. We should be able to go to staff without going through the Speaker. The second is to the hiring process. It is not the 26 members; the Executive Committee, after it is vetted by HR. The intent is to make sure we have qualified people and allow more transparency of the position itself and to make the position a less political appointee. That is better for everyone, Republicans, Democrats or Independents because you are getting the best person for the job. HR would vet the resumes, like they do for any other staff member, then the Executive Committee could interview the position.
Mrs. Tatroe asked are we talking about hires under the executive branch or exclusively about County Board staff?
Ms. Ventura replied County Board staff. I took this from the executive language and tried to adapt it to the County Board staff, but the idea is this would be a nonpartisan position that will not turn over every time there is a change in Leadership. It would make the position more stable and everyone on the Board would feel comfortable going to the Chief of Staff. It would not just be a trusted aide, but it would be a utility person for the entire Board. As for part “B” government works best with less gate keeping. Government is not like a CEO; one person runs it. I believe we are representatives of the people and as representatives we are equal and should have access to staff people.
Mr. Marcum stated it sounds like if I walked into the County Board office and told someone to do something; the way our rules are written they are obligated to follow them. If I walk into the office and tell Mrs. Jakaitis to do “A” and Ms. Koch walks in and tells her to do “B”, you put staff in an impossible position.
Mrs. Rice stated your point is well taken that you cannot have staff taking opposing advice. As a person who felt very shut down when you are trying to gather information in the past. Can we add something about acting as a resource, so it is not at the direction of but still asks that all Board Member’s requests should be met?
Ms. Mueller stated in the past I have had more than one boss and it is an extremely hard workday and I don’t want to put that on anyone else. Would something of a compromise be serves the County Board Members at the discretion of the County Board Speaker. It would serve the County Board Members and at the discretion gives Ms. Winfrey the ability to draw the line. If we change the rules now, if the Republicans take control they will change it back to say what they want.
Mr. Harris arrived at this point.
Ms. Dunn stated in respect to having 1 boss or 26, you want it to be representative of the people and transparent. As a group, you put your trust in Ms. Winfrey to be the Speaker. Just as the voters put their trust in you to do your job; you put your trust in Ms. Winfrey to do her job. Part of her job is directing the day to day operations of the County Board staff, myself included. I serve at the pleasure of the Speaker; but I only succeed if the entire Board succeeds. It is my job to make sure everyone’s needs are met as much as I can. When I took the job, it was with the understanding that in six months there would a performance review. At that point if people are unhappy with my work, the members would make it clear to Ms. Winfrey and she would choose someone else, if that were the will of the Board.
Ms. Venture stated part “B” is the staff of the Board. My understanding is, as the way the rules read, anytime I want the staff to do anything I would have to go to Ms. Winfrey first and she will as Mrs. Jakaitis, Mrs. Adams, Ms. Ceci or yourself to do something.
Mr. Moran stated I would expect if someone from the Board asked Ms. Dunn or Mrs. Jakaitis to do something, in conflict of what they needed to do for Ms. Winfrey, they would let us know we need to go to Ms. Winfrey or they would let us know they are too busy, or it is a conflict with something they are doing for someone else.
Ms. Dunn stated it is not gatekeeping as much as sharing information. Instead of staff getting 26 calls and answering the same question 26 times, the information would be shared. I want to make sure we are not wasting staff’s time by asking the same question over and over. When you asked me for information I responded and gave me additional thoughts and information.
Ms. Ventura replied because we had a one on one dialog. We were not going through a grapevine of me asking someone, waiting and then getting the answer. It creates a delay in government. I don’t think all 26 of us are going to ask the same question to the same person. I feel the rules were not written with us in mind and of open government; it was to delay the process and keep us from getting information. I don’t want to continue that process. I want an open process with efficient government and if I have a question I can go right to Ms. Dunn. Then you could say there are a number of people with the same question, let’s have a training or group discussion or e-mail everyone.
Mrs. Jakaitis stated when you ask for something and I will usually be here it is. However, being in the office I know things Ms. Winfrey has talked about with staff and there may be a reason I cannot give you exactly what you want. I need to go to Ms. Winfrey and tell her what you are asking for, can I send it. At that point Ms. Winfrey may say yes, send it everyone or she may say we are not at a point where someone should have that information yet. If you don’t get something right away it is not being kept from you; at my level I don’t have the authority to give you everything I ask for. In the past staff did take some things to the Speaker and they made the decisions.
Mr. Moran stated I understand that things do have to be run up the chain. I would not expect Ms. Winfrey to handle the requests of 26 people if they want a copy of something.
Ms. Winfrey stated Mrs. Jakaitis is dead on. We may not have sorted everything out and be ready to make it public. I don’t need to be involved in ordinary questions; did you order business cards for me; where can I get “xyz”. Typically staff handles without my involvement and everything is taken care of. At one time there were issues with multiple people asking the State’s Attorney’s Office for opinions. We channeled that to allow them to do the research and come back with the report, so all members got it at the same time. I am not aware there is a problem, because I have not had a problem. For ordinary requests, it has worked out fine. My experience may be different than others here. The language you are asking to add is because when people have had requests that have not been cumbersome, they have gone to the office, got what they needed and it has not been a problem in the past. Ms. Ventura you would like to have the practice written out that this is the way it is going to happen.
Ms. Ventura stated as the rules are written, it would mean if I wanted new business cards I would have to go to the Speaker.
Ms. Winfrey stated the office does not take the rules as literal as that.
Mrs. Tatroe stated it is not written that way, because it can be taken to the extreme. If we are in the middle of negotiating a contract and Leadership has been involved, if a County Board Members asks to see a draft, we don’t want to release something in the middle of negotiating. That is kept to a close circle and when a final document is ready, then it is given to the entire Board or Committee to be voted on. Otherwise, it gets to the other side and that is why they are negotiated with a smaller group.
Ms. Mueller stated I believe the wording should be the staff serves the County Board at the discretion of the County Board Speaker. It adds that Ms. Winfrey draws the line for everything.
Ms. Koch suggested I believe we should insert “with” so it would read “with County Board Members”. That would indicate they could work with us on small matters, but at your direction.
Ms. Dunn stated it would say “all staff of the Board shall work at the direction of the County Board Speaker and with County Board Members”.
Ms. Mueller stated I believe it should say all staff of the Board shall serve the County Board at the discretion of the County Board Speaker.
Mr. Brooks asked are you saying all 26 Board Members can go to staff; however, you need to contact the Speaker.
Ms. Mueller stated if I have a question I can go to staff and it gives staff them ability to either answer or say I need to check on that first.
Ms. Winfrey stated she is asking for the language to be cleaner to recognize what the practice is. The practice is; if people want business cards, you go to staff and it happens. With the discretion, allows the Speaker to say you need to back up on that request because we have not finished that yet or yes go ahead. For run of the mill things the staff will take care of. If it something questionable they will let you know they have to speak with the Speaker.
Mr. Moran stated I prefer it say at the direction of the Speaker because discretion sounds like you can say I don’t want to do this. Ultimately, the County Board Staff and Chief of Staff work for the Speaker, there has to be one boss. We all agree on that. There has to be one boss to oversee staff. We should be able to go to staff and ask questions and if it becomes a conflict they should go to the Speaker. They should let us know that so we can reach out to the Speaker.
Ms. Ventura stated part “C” is to make the position more transparent and less political. I copied it from the appointments of the County Executive.
Mrs. Tatroe stated the reason I asked was whether this applied to the general staff or the Chief of Staff; I don’t like the last seven lines for the County Executive because it is his role to decide he will vet people for his appointments. I don’t know what general administrative positions are. If that is County Board staff, then it needs to say County Board staff.
Ms. Ventura stated the idea behind this item is to apply only to County Board staff, not appointees.
Ms. Winfrey stated as the rules read now the Chief of Staff serves at the will of the County Board Speaker, a trusted aide to the Speaker and that is why it is not open to everybody to pick. The person does serve the entire Board, but is the trusted aide to the Speaker. All other staff positions are across the Board, they are posted. They are treated like any other county job.
Ms. Mueller asked if Mrs. Jakaitis retires next week; what happens? How would someone know the position is open?
Ms. Winfrey replied Mr. Tidwell would post the position.
Ms. Dunn stated the Chief of Staff position is not political; it is the trusted aide to the Speaker.
Ms. Ventura stated the frustration with the last Chief of Staff was people felt the person was not doing their job to the fullest of their ability because of the politics. I put this in before I knew Ms. Dunn was taking over the position; this was about the hiring process happens.
Mr. Brooks stated the party in control chooses the Chief of Staff. However, it has not always been political. When the party control changed in 2012, the party kept the Chief of Staff in place. The party in control makes the decision on the Chief of Staff. No matter what we put in the rules, the party in control, controls the rules and they can change them.
Ms. Winfrey stated before we made an official offer to Ms. Dunn, I called the leader of the other party to let him know who we were choosing. His response was “this has nothing to do with me; pick who you want”. I wanted him to be in the loop and didn’t want anyone to be blindsided. I did include everybody as a matter of information.
Mr. Brooks stated they did the same with the former Chief of Staff. They called me and said this is what we are going to do.
Mrs. Rice stated the rules are not for what happened in the past; the rules are what we consider good policy going forward; not looking back, it is what we want to see happen.
Ms. Ventura stated I would like to see a more transparent process where we get the best person for the job. Putting it in the rules keeps it from being a political job; it is vetted and a person with the experience is the person we look at during an interview process at the Executive Committee.
Ms. Winfrey asked are you saying the criteria in the current rules for the position is not sufficient even though Mr. Tidwell was involved from start to finish.
Ms. Ventura stated it is not spelled out.
Ms. Winfrey stated it is not spelled out, but it has been the process. Hires go through HR. You don’t need to spell it out in the rules, because it is our standard operating procedure.
Ms. Ventura asked did they vet the candidates before you interviewed.
Ms. Winfrey replied they submitted official letters, and HR check credentials and thought it made sense.
Ms. Ventura asked was this position put on the website for 10 days.
Ms. Winfrey replied it does not need to put on the website for 10 days; it is not a general position, it is a trusted aide to the Speaker. The person works in support of the Board, but is the trusted aide to the Speaker. What is the benefit of putting it on the website for 10 days?
Ms. Ventura answered you would get someone more qualified to do the job.
Ms. Winfrey asked are you saying the process did not produce a qualified person for the job? The process was accepting resumes, reviewing them, talking with them and a Committee, talking about the criteria and what is preferred is that not a credible process?
Ms. Ventura stated I am setting out a process I feel is open, allows anyone to apply, allows the person to bring their experiences to the Board, allows them to be interviewed by the Executive Committee and the best person is selected. The Speaker can hand select someone and make the argument for the person they feel is best qualified and they would be a confident to them. That is what I am suggesting.
Ms. Winfrey stated I am trying to figure out if that position stays what it is or becomes something else.
Ms. Cowan stated there are two different opinions about who the Chief of Staff is and what the position is. The Chief of Staff is a trusted advisor and is someone working for the Speaker to manage the Board and staff. What you are saying makes it sound like the Chief of Staff is more like other staff positions. My understanding is the Chief of Staff is not like other staff positions.
Ms. Ventura read the job description. I don’t think it is my opinion this person is the right hand person of the Speaker; it is part of the job description. I think it should be more than a trusted source for the Speaker and it should be a job to serves the Board as a whole.
Mr. Marcum stated this gets into the role of the Speaker, being the chief administrative officer. We are limiting the Speaker’s power in the future to be the chief officer for the entire Board. If the Executive Committee picks the Chief of Staff, you are taking away the Speaker’s administrative duties.
Mr. Brooks asked what are you trying to accomplish?
Ms. Ventura replied I am trying to get a government that works for all the people. We are all equals at this table and to have the power centralized at the top feels like rules that don’t work for everybody. I am trying to have our government represent the people.
Mr. Brooks stated I have been on the Board for 10 years and I thought it worked. I didn’t always like the way some things went, but I did not see it as a problem, even when the other party was in control. There were things I did not agree with, but it is the structure of our government.
Ms. Ventura stated I heard the last Chief of Staff was rammed down their throats. You say this worked in the past, but my experience after talking to Board Members, it was this rule, that made them feel that way. In the past there was no rule. This is an entirely new rule.
Mrs. Rice stated this is an effort to lay out a process instead of talking about what has always been, it is an effort to look forward.
Ms. Dunn explained her hiring process. I submitted my resume and it was looked over, along with other resumes. I don’t know who else submitted resumes. I was interviewed, then called by a group of people and offered the position with certain requirements and benefits. There was a process. I think the issue is you are not happy with process.
Ms. Ventura stated there was no transparency. I read in the paper you had been hired. As a Board of equals I was left out. I don’t know who interviewed you, who called you, I don’t know who compared the resumes.
Ms. Dunn stated you elected Ms. Winfrey as Speaker to make those choices. When you say equal; Ms. Winfrey is the Speaker, she is the representative of this group.
Ms. Ventura stated her duties are clarified in 1.03. Nowhere in section 1.03 does it say she gets to hire and fire. It is not spelled out as part of her duties. There is no process. When I say we are equals, we are equals except she has additional duties spelled out in this section; that is what makes us different. If it is not spelled out in this section, we are taking liberties with the interpretation. I am asking us to spell out the process. If everyone likes the process as it is, why are we not spelling out the process. Why are we not specifying resumes have to be submitted? How do people even know to submit resumes?
Mrs. Tatroe asked do you want to spell out the process as it is now or do you want to change it. Your recommendation changes the process. We could write a paragraph that spells out to be the current process.
Mr. Moran stated we need a 3/5 majority to change the rules. We have time for the State’s Attorney to provide to us with the existing policy or what the standard operating procedure is. After we look at the policy, we craft different language if it is necessary and bring it up later. It will always require a 3/5 majority to pass changes to the rules. We don’t have to tackle every item today.
Mrs. Tatroe stated if that is the will of the Caucus, I will craft some language. We serve the Board, we don’t serve individual members, because we don’t want to get into a situation where we are researching one thing for one person and researching the opposite from someone else. That is not an efficient use of the staff. We have been there.
Ms. Winfrey stated because of problems in the past is the reason for the process we have.
Mrs. Tatroe stated if you want alternative language for how the process is now; we can draft that language.
Mrs. Traynere stated I believe we are in agreement there needs to be some language outlining the process. Then we can decide if we want to make any changes. There is nothing in there that says how the person is selected. It is not in her job description.
Mrs. Tatroe stated it does appoint her as the Chief Administrative Official.
Typically the Chief Administrative Official does hiring and firing.
Mrs. Rice asked can the rules be amended at any time with a 3/5 majority vote? I thought they could only be approved once.
Mrs. Tatroe replied they can be amended at any meeting, where it appears on the agenda with a 3/5 majority of the County Board. When they are adopted at the December Reorganization Meeting, you only need a simple majority.
Ms. Dunn clarified for the record the proposed added item “C” is being taken out entirely.
Ms. Ventura stated my understanding is Mrs. Tatroe will send language that would replace the proposed “C” and we could compare the two.
Mr. Moran clarified Mrs. Tatroe will send us language on what we do now. It will be up to us to decide if we need to make changes.
Ms. Dunn stated we need to be clear as the changes proposed tonight will be sent to the Republican Caucus for their consideration. When we send this out tomorrow, we will be removing item “C” from the rules, since the Caucus is not happy with how item “C” is written.
Ms. Ventura stated I would like everyone to read item “C” and comment.
Ms. Winfrey stated Mrs. Tatroe is going to write language to explain what we currently do and share it with all Board Members. People will have a chance to look it over and decide whether it works or whether the proposed “C” works. Since there will not be another caucus, item “C” will come off the proposed changes for January 17th and it will be considered at a future meeting.
The consensus was to remove item “C” from the rules and bring back later.
Ms. Dunn continued with a review of page 6 and page 7. These change the date the County Executive presents the budget to August and the State of the County to September.
Mr. Moran asked can we direct the County Executive to change the date of the budget presentation?
Mrs. Tatroe stated yes, in the past the State of the County and Budget were presented at the same meeting.
Ms. Dunn reviewed changes on page 8. Some people wanted access to a resume for some of the County Executive’s appointments. It would be an HR nightmare to give everyone a resume. However, if there is a request, it could be released.
Ms. Winfrey stated there was some dissention on an appointment to the RTA and who should or should not be there. There was a discussion about qualifications. This answers questions about the bigger Boards, with a large compensation; a resume would be available.
Ms. Dunn stated it also gives transparency if someone wants to know.
Ms. Winfrey stated this would not apply to drainage districts; it would be the Metra, RTA, Toll Authority appointments.
Mrs. Rice asked is there language for someone wanting the resumes? Does the request have to be run the chain?
Ms. Dunn replied this would give the opportunity to review the resume if it exists.
Ms. Winfrey stated for the larger Boards the resume is usually included. If the resume isn’t included, it could be arranged for Board Members to see it.
Ms. Dunn reviewed page 19. Under order of business; number 3 read Invocation. Ms. Cowan brought up it could be a conflict if, we had a County Board Member give the invocation. We want to avoid any impropriety. After talking about it we added “moment of reflection”. Ms. Cowan mentioned she would be getting someone of the Muslin faith to give the invocation in January. If that person were to cancel, we would have moment of reflection; which would be a silent moment.
Ms. Winfrey stated in the past we asked Mr. Brooks to step in. With the information brought forth to explain why the Senate and House has a chaplain; to separate the moment of faith with a voting member and avoid issues, we will move to a moment of reflection.
Ms. Ventura asked you said if the person doesn’t come we could have a moment of reflection; can we choose to not invite someone?
Ms. Dunn stated we will give everyone the option to bring in someone if you want.
Mr. Moran stated in the past with 26 Board Members and 24 months during the term; staff has said it is your month to pick. Everyone will have the opportunity to pick someone of your faith or no faith.
Discussion took place regarding the selection of County Board Members; how often they are chosen and how clergy is chosen.
Mr. Harris asked what is the reason to having an either/or? Why not have an invocation followed by a moment of reflection?
Ms. Winfrey add we have both because we may not choose to have an invocation.
Mr. Brooks stated in the past the staff had a very difficult time getting Clergy from non-Christian religions. Two years ago leadership selected the County Board Member to lead the Pledge, arrange for and introduce the Clergy. It was much easier for staff to give the County Board Members the opportunity to choose the person they wanted.
Mrs. Jakaitis explained the process for selecting County Board Members and Clergy.
Ms. Cowan stated it sounds like it is the correct process. County Board Members can invite someone. The problem for me, is our default became relying on Board Members when we couldn’t get someone. During the last 13 meetings, the prayer has been led by a County Board Member seven times and the eighth time was a member of Ms. Fritz’s church.
Mrs. Tatroe stated there is no problem having a Board Member give the invocation occasionally.
Mr. Brooks stated the reason was several times the person invited did not show up.
Ms. Dunn stated I don’t think this change is about the process; it is about the fallback. You can talk at length about the process. This change is if we don’t have an invocation it will be a moment of reflection.
Ms. Cowan stated occasionally, we could offer the opportunity to Ms. Fritz or Mr. Brooks to give the invocation.
Mr. Brooks at this left juncture.
Ms. Dunn reviewed page 21 of the rules with an addition of item “B”.
Ms. Winfrey clarified the suspension of the rules is not the same of someone being able to speak during the public comment portion.
Mr. Moran stated the first part of this section deals with when a person wants to speak on an item during the meeting itself.
Mrs. Tatroe recommended including “unless waived by the presiding officer”. There will be times when you have a speaker addressing an issue that needs more than two minutes. This particularly happens during the public hearing process.
Sometimes a person will be speaking on behalf of a group of people. It is wiser to have one person address the issue in its entirety. Otherwise, the group will break up the issue, it will be very disjointed and not make sense. We have a public hearing at the beginning of the meeting and that does not require a suspension of the rules. Quite often when dealing with Land Use issues, there can be a more complex issue. From a legal perspective, you need to let the person address it in a thorough manner. Otherwise, if it is appealed, we will be overturned because we did not allow them to speak. Under those circumstances, the presiding officer would have the ability waive the two minutes and allow them to speak longer.
Ms. Winfrey gave examples of situations where this has happened. When a person speaks on behalf of a community, they speak for all the people rather than each person speaking separately.
Mr. Moran asked if we leave it at the presiding officer’s discretion; does that open us up to liability? Is it possible the presiding officer could let one side speak longer than the other side? We have to be careful in using the discretion.
Mrs. Tatroe stated that would fall on the ASA to step up and say you need to let this person speak because this is an issue that could be litigated. With most of the public comments you will not have that issue. My concern is in regard to the public hearing process. At some point, you have to give people discretion or you will not be able to function. The present County Executive has never been overly quick to shut people off from speaking.
Ms. Winfrey stated too much specificity in the rules can hamstring the process.
Mrs. Tatroe added the public comments should be limited to something the County Board has authority over. The state statutes are very broad about allowing the public to speak.
Ms. Ventra stated I understand not wanting to hamstring ourselves; but “B” allows them to speak for two minutes.
Ms. Dunn stated section “A” are the ways you are permitted and “B” is two minutes to do it.
Ms. Winfrey stated when someone does get up to speak, if they go off the rails there will be a gavel. In the past when someone spoke and starting throwing in racial slurs and stuff and the gavel did come down.
Ms. Ventura stated to me part “B” means anyone can come down and speak about anything for two minutes.
Mrs. Tatroe stated no, it says “any permitted public”. The permitted public comment is set forth in part “A” and part “B” says it will be held to two minutes.
Mrs. Rice stated I heard we should limit speakers to three minutes. However, after looking through the rules, three minutes is not specified. Does the three minute limit come from Roberts Rules of Order? I was surprised we had no limit.
Mrs. Tatroe stated it is a common practice and the AG has indicated is okay under the OMA.
Ms. Mueller stated I think three minutes is a standard time. When I have made public comments in a meeting; three minutes has been the limit. If a lot of people show up to make a comment; they will cut speakers down to one minute.
Mrs. Tatroe stated the three minutes is on page 20 under Parliamentary Procedures.
Mrs. Rice clarified the Parliamentary Procedures refer to County Board Members and the two minutes to address the Board is for public speakers.
Mrs. Traynere stated there have been times when a Board Member has spoken for more than three minutes and someone has said “call the roll”; but Mr. Walsh allows them to continue.
Mrs. Tatroe stated Mr. Walsh is the presiding officer.
Ms. Dunn reviewed page 25 regarding Business/Travel Reimbursements.
Ms. Winfrey stated the general rule of thumb is if the event you want to attend is about you at a personal level, you pay the expenses. When we hold a memberships and we want you to participate; NACo, NOBCO, LUCC, ISACO, those expenses are covered by the County Board. Events by the Chamber or Governmental League, is your personal expense. If at the end of the year there is left over money, perhaps we could pay for some smaller things. Tomorrow, Mr. Ferry, Mr. Fricilone and I will be talking about our budget for trips and figuring out how many people we can afford to send to the Legislative Conference in March and Annual Conference in July. As Chair of the Legislative Committee, Mrs. Traynere will be attending the Legislative Conference. It is a given, people who sit on NACo steering committees will be attending the NACo Conference. Mrs. Summers sits on the Healthcare Committee and we will pay for her to attend. The people on the steering committees are given the first opportunity to attend, and then we back fill with others interested in attending.
Mrs. Rice stated I have no problem with current practice, but I would like to have a policy going forward for local opportunities that make sense and leadership agrees. As we look forward to the new statewide organization, I would like to see people take advantage of those opportunities.
Ms. Winfrey asked are you talking about the IASCO? That is an organization we pay dues to and are involved with. We will be looking for people to attend, not just those who hold a statewide office. We would like to send as many people as we can afford to send.
Mr. Moran stated over the last six years I have been sent to the NACo conference, but the registration fee was not paid. I was told it was because I there to attend my steering committee meetings and they don’t require registration, but I don’t like sneaking in and out of the regular conference. Since the County is spending the money for the airfare and hotels; it makes sense they would pay for the conference to attend the workshops.
Ms. Winfrey stated if I send you, I am paying your registration fee.
Mr. Moran stated I expect if someone goes to a conference on behalf of the county, they should be required to attend every session they can. A few months ago, we all received an invitation from the White House to come out and meet with the secretaries and undersecretaries. It was a good meeting, we meet with numerous secretaries and undersecretaries, got their cell phone numbers and garnered a lot of information on White House polices. The way it was presented was, you can go if you want to go, but the County is not picking up the cost. Then it became a matter of who could afford to go; not who should go to garner the right information. I don’t think that is fair to everyone.
Ms. Winfrey agreed and stated at a national level, when we ask you to go to anything; we are paying the full registration fee. We have the NACo Legislative Conference in March. We will determine how many seats we can afford to cover, if we are sending you, we are paying your full registration. Mr. Moran, because you are on the Transportation Steering Committee, I expect us to pay your full registration. Whoever is representing us at the County level, we would pay the full registration, travel and lodging for them. The NACo Annual Conference will be held in July. We will send as many as we can afford. Our meeting tomorrow is to determine how many we can afford to send. We are not going to scrimp like that. If NACo sponsors a fly-in, which can happen, and they want you to come in they will often cover certain expenses. If you get something from NACo and don’t see my name or Mrs. Jakaitis’ send it over. We support those meetings and anything not covered, we will pick up. If we are asking you to attend anything at NACo, we will cover all the costs; whether it is a pick up at your house, airfare, hotel and fees. If we are sending you as a representative we are paying.
Ms. Ventura stated I agree with Mrs. Rice we need a procedure. I think we could give examples of use versus changing the policy. The way it reads, “you must contact your respective caucus leader” and they may not feel as you do. I liked due to budgetary constraints because there is only so much money. We were all invited to the CED annual report and the cost was $25. Should I have gone from the county level? Republicans from the County Board were there. What happens if the Democratic caucus pays from mine, but the Republican caucus does not or vice versa?
Ms. Winfrey stated for the CED, typically you pay yourself. If other caucus wants to provide payment through the caucus campaign fund that is a choice they can make.
Ms. Dunn stated the caucus leader was addsed so Ms. Winfrey was not getting every single call. The caucus leaders would gather the information and bring it to the Speaker for approval. I felt it streamlined the process. That was my insert. County Board Members are more likely to go to their leader and have the conversation. I wanted to make it as explicit as possible.
Ms. Winfrey stated that is what has happened in the past. At our meeting tomorrow we will talk about the budget and how many people we can afford to send to each conference. Then when someone expresses an interest they will know how many people they can send. In the past, it was easy because not so many people wanted to go. In the past, those already members of steering committees would get first preference and then work down the list. This time we have many new members who have not had the opportunity to become members of a committee. They do have the opportunity to sit in on the committees and based on someone’s background it may make sense for them to become a member of a particular committee. Those already on a committee will be attending. After that we will determine how many other people can be sent. There are no changes to the way it has been done; it only spells it out. Some people are unable to travel due to their work or they are not interested in being involved with NACo, but there is usually a small group willing to go to the conferences each year. I want us to be involved in the NACo and ISACO to the level we can afford.
Discussion took place regarding how to get involved with NACo through visiting the website and understand what the committee are and what they do.
Ms. Winfrey stated I will be asking you; where do you see yourself in these organization. As soon as we get more of the ground rules developed for ISACO I will ask where do you see yourself in this organization. Today I asked Mrs. Traynere to be part of the legislative piece and I asked Ms. Cowan to be on the Board as well. I am on the executive committee and I will probably be allowed another appointment. I want to understand what you want to do and how you see yourselves operating on this board and what you want to be a part of. Then when I am asked I can say I have somebody. That is what I am looking for from each of you.
Ms. Winfrey asked are there any other changes or issues with the rules as proposed?
2. Discussion of County Board Assignments
Ms. Winfrey stated due to the holiday, most of the Committee assignments were heard at the Executive Committee this month. The Capital Committee will have a meeting every month, since they are the bill paying agent for our projects.
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Land Use & Development
Finance
Public Works & Transportation Judicial
Public Health & Safety
Legislative & Policy
Mrs. Traynere stated the Legislative Committee is responsible for putting together the State and Federal Agendas. The agendas are a list of projects we will be working on as a county. I encourage you to send me idea for things the County should take up with the State Legislature. If you have not reviewed the 2018 State Agenda and the 2019 Federal Agenda, we can get you a copy. We are looking for new ideas.
Ms. Winfrey stated the Legislative agendas affect all of us. All the Committees are open to you. Please feel free to sit in on any and all of them.
Mrs. Traynere stated if you can’t make a meeting because of your schedule, it does not mean you can’t contact the Chair or Vice-Chair and ask them for an update on a particular issue. You are not violating the Open Meetings Act if you are just talking to one other person.
Capital Improvements
VII. Executive OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Ferry stated Ms. Dunn and Mr. Marcum are working on some training classes and an orientation.
Ms. Dunn stated due to the holiday on February 12th, we are moving the meetings to February 11th and at 1:00 p.m. there will be an orientation. The orientation is for everyone, but focused on new Board Members. This training will continue over several months. We are having a Committee of the Whole on January 23rd. That will include an introduction and presentation by the Land Use Department; followed by an opportunity to tour the Land Use offices. We will have a Committee of the Whole in February to discuss solar issues. People expressed concerns there has not been an orientation, but we are working on it. We are putting together a binder to fill with information everyone will use. If you want to have something addressed or you want to be educated on something let me know. I will give the exact same information to the other side. We are a Board of 26 and it is important that all 26 of us have the same information so we are transparent and can move forward as a group. I believe we all need to be on the same page; we may not like the page, but we are all there together.
Ms. Winfrey stated at the February Committee of the Whole, Ms. Samantha Bluemer will give us a solar farm update. On the agenda we have extensions for some of the solar farms. She will be talking about the whole piece of solar farms. The orientation will be ongoing and we will let you know ahead of time what will be discussed in the following month. The orientation will be for the entire Board, new and existing members. These meetings will comply with the Open Meetings Act and open to the public. We are working on a possible tour at our Waste Management site. The tour will be the opportunity for Board Members to see what they do and how they manage it. We want to make sure all Board Members are offered all the information, early on. If you feel there are gaps or feel something is missing; let Ms. Dunn know to put together the curriculum. We want to cover as much as possible to bring everyone up to speed. We want to make it as easy for Members to attend. If you are unable to attend, we can meet one on one.
Mrs. Rice asked what is Mack Communication’s role for the County Board? What access do we have to them?
Ms. Winfrey replied we use a number of communication sources; our outside contractor is Mack Communications. We have in-house communication people, a website and social media platforms to put our message out. You may get calls from the media asking for a quote for an article. If it is something that falls in your area; don’t be afraid to comment. Mack Communication has put together a press release on the APWA award we received for the Public Safety Complex. They have quoted Mr. Brooks as the current Capital Chair, Mr. Tuminello as the former Chair, myself and Mr. Walsh about what this means and how we feel about this particular award. That will go out on behalf of the entire Board. Mack did contact every person quoted to make sure the quote is exactly as we want it to be. We are a county of 700,000 and growing fast; we are a major metro county in our right. The marching order for all communication people going forward is we want to publicize, promote and put forward Will County at every possible opportunity. We are looking to get out press releases for things we are doing as a County, not in a district, but as a county. I have asked people to give me information for NACo publications. If there are things we can forward to the national level; we are going to do that. Ms. Ventura you sit on the Heritage Corridor and Mrs. Traynere sits on the Legislative Committee; give us information to publicize at a state and national level. Our Workforce Investment Board is doing things not being done at any other Workforce Board in the Country; we want to put that forward at a national level. We have things happening across the County and we want to publicize them; we are the place to be. We have everything you need here in Will County.
Mrs. Rice asked who directs Mack Communication?
Ms. Winfrey answered some of it will come from the County Board or the County Executive’s staff. We are working together as a partnership as much as possible to get the maximum coverage.
Mr. Ferry added when you give a quote to Mack, if they are going to make any changes to it, they should call you back and confirm you are happy with it now.
Ms. Winfrey stated in the information I received, I asked them to add and change a few things. They did send back the revised wording and I approved it. Anytime anyone calls you from a newspaper for a comment on a project in your district you have the right to say that is not the wording I want to see. You can also ask who else they have talked to and that will allow you to check to see the other person is on board with your comment. What you don’t want to be out there all alone and then doing damage control.
Mr. Ferry pointed out you do not have to comment.
Ms. Ventura stated there is an Elk’s Club on State Street in unincorporated Lockport and they have requested video gaming. We have an ordinance against video gaming. Mrs. Parker and I met to go over our options are and then met with Mr. Harvey. We can amend this ordinance to allow veteran organizations, which the Senate bill already allows and private clubs, which the Senate bill does not listed. Mr. Harvey suggest at our level we could allow for those two exceptions. We added veterans because Mr. Moustis has VFW in his district that would like video gaming and they are also in an unincorporated area. This would prevent things like packaged liquor stores or convenience stores from having video gaming. A pour license would be required in order to have it. Is this is a good idea or should we try to find another solution.
Mr. Moran asked is the Elks Club in unincorporated Will County? There are 100 gas stations in Will County selling packaged liquor and one gas station in the unincorporated area being told they cannot have packaged liquor. I voted against it the last time, because I am in favor of anyone with a pour license having it. The people are gambling in other places that have video gaming and it is just a matter of which entity collects the taxes.
Ms. Winfrey asked are you asking us whether we support this or not?
Ms. Ventura stated Mrs. Parker was going to talk with the Republicans. I want to know how our caucus feels and whether Mrs. Parker and I should find another solution.
Mrs. Tatroe stated Ms. Koch asked if she could have an opinion since she is a member of the VFW Post. My opinion that is not a conflict. Typically a legal conflict arises when you are receiving some monetary compensation. It does not include working for the Post; there is a higher standard than that. Usually, it is an ownership interest or if you were to directly make money from it.
Mrs. Traynere asked does Mr. Van Duyne have to abstain from voting on items pertaining to the City of Joliet since he is an employee there? He is just a worker.
Mrs. Tatroe stated he probably does not need to abstain.
Ms. Ventura asked are there any other opinions on this? Mr. Moran is in favor of opening to everyone.
Mrs. Traynere stated I voted to keep it open the last time and would vote again to keep it open. Why should municipalities, certain religions and other organizations be able to have gambling; and why are other businesses not given the same opportunity to make money. Personally, I am not in favor of having gambling in Illinois. I think we should tax appropriately to have the money we need for our schools. The fact that we are allowing gambling in the State, we should not be prejudice in who we allow to gamble.
Ms. Ventura stated there is an Elk’s Club on State Street in unincorporated Lockport and they have requested video gaming. We have an ordinance against video gaming. Mrs. Parker and I met to go over our options are and then met with Mr. Harvey. We can amend this ordinance to allow veteran organizations, which the Senate bill already allows and private clubs, which the Senate bill does not listed. Mr. Harvey suggest at our level we could allow for those two exceptions. We added veterans because Mr. Moustis has VFW in his district that would like video gaming and they are also in an unincorporated area. This would prevent things like packaged liquor stores or convenience stores from having video gaming. A pour license would be required in order to have it. Is this is a good idea or should we try to find another solution.
Mr. Moran asked is the Elks Club in unincorporated Will County? There are 100 gas stations in Will County selling packaged liquor and one gas station in the unincorporated area being told they cannot have packaged liquor. I voted against it the last time, because I am in favor of anyone with a pour license having it. The people are gambling in other places that have video gaming and it is just a matter of which entity collects the taxes.
Ms. Winfrey asked are you asking us whether we support this or not?
Ms. Ventura stated Mrs. Parker was going to talk with the Republicans. I want to know how our caucus feels and whether Mrs. Parker and I should find another solution.
Mrs. Tatroe stated Ms. Koch asked if she could have an opinion since she is a member of the VFW Post. My opinion that is not a conflict. Typically a legal conflict arises when you are receiving some monetary compensation. It does not include working for the Post; there is a higher standard than that. Usually, it is an ownership interest or if you were to directly make money from it.
Mrs. Traynere asked does Mr. Van Duyne have to abstain from voting on items pertaining to the City of Joliet since he is an employee there? He is just a worker.
Mrs. Tatroe stated he probably does not need to abstain.
Ms. Ventura asked are there any other opinions on this? Mr. Moran is in favor of opening to everyone.
Mrs. Traynere stated I voted to keep it open the last time and would vote again to keep it open. Why should municipalities, certain religions and other organizations be able to have gambling; and why are other businesses not given the same opportunity to make money. Personally, I am not in favor of having gambling in Illinois. I think we should tax appropriately to have the money we need for our schools. The fact that we are allowing gambling in the State, we should not be prejudice in who we allow to gamble.
Ms. Dunn stated there is a difference between how you do your job and the goals we are working toward.
Ms. Ventura stated I am looking for a four or five year plan for the County.
Mrs. Summers stated Ms. Ventura did talk to me about things we are doing in Public Health & Safety. Everything she brought forward we are already in the process of doing and we are trying to enhance that. Mrs. Rice and I have already discussed the next steps.
Ms. Winfrey stated what Ms. Ventura is talking about it is not just Public Health & Safety; but overall for the County all of the Committees.
Ms. Ventura stated if several of us are not on board with the direction a Committee is going and we want to change direction; it is something we all have to agree on.
Mrs. Rice stated something I have heard on every committee is we want to change the budgeting process from a once a month occurrence to a yearlong occurrence, so we can understand how legislative changes are affecting the budget, what problems are there. We have talked about yearlong discussion and reviewing budgets to make decisions easier when the budget is presented.
Ms. Winfrey stated Mr. Harris sat down with Ms. Howard and Ms. Hennessy and is arranging for the Committee to have the information earlier.
Mrs. Rice stated that could be a goal. When we say what are we doing as a caucus, we are improving the budget process. We look at it all year long and understand the needs of the workers, understand mandates from legislation and we are acting accordingly. It will give us something to hang our hat on.
Ms. Ventura stated I understand what we have been doing; but what we have been doing does not necessarily tell me what we all want to be doing.
Ms. Dunn stated it starts with the Committees you are on, where you start steering the committee. Mrs. Traynere is the lead on the Legislative Committee and she is steering it in a direction I hope we are all on board with.
Ms. Winfrey stated with her position, Mrs. Traynere will have constant contact with our legislators in Springfield, our lobbyist and legislators in DC and she can bring it back to the committee; here is where we are and here is what we are trying to do and here is where you fit into the process.
Mrs. Traynere stated that is why I said come to committees. Call me if you can’t make the meetings and I will be happy to discuss any ideas you have. If you have a direction you want to go in and you have an expert who wants to speak at Committee, even if you can’t be there, let me know and we will have them talk. I have invited someone tentatively to come to the February meeting to talk about warehouse workers. It is a topic we need to keep focusing on.
Mr. Marcum led a discussion on the date, time and location for the extra caucus meeting each month. I believe it would be helpful to have our caucus after the committee meetings.
Consensus was to have the caucus meetings on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. with a location to be determined.
VIII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XI. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 8:24 PM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tyler Marcum, Majority Whip
SECONDER: Kenneth E. Harris, Member
AYES: Ferry, Marcum, Cowan, Harris, Koch, Moran, Mueller, Rice, Summers, Traynere, Ventura, Winfrey
ABSENT: VanDuyne
LEFT MEETING: Brooks Jr.
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=3157&Inline=True
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