Will County Board met October 17

By Michael Abella

Jan 21, 2020

Will County Board met Oct. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Speaker Winfrey called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Member Balich led the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. INVOCATION

Member Balich introduced the clergy, Father Thomas Loya from Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen.

IV. ROLL CALL

V. DECLARING QUORUM PRESENT

VI. MOTION TO PLACE ON FILE CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION

RESULT: APPROVED [23 TO 0]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, VanDuyne, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Ventura, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

AWAY: Moustis

VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Will County Board - Regular Meeting - Sep 19, 2019 9:30 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [23 TO 0]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

AWAY: Moustis

2. EX SESSION County Board Minutes Sept 19, 2019

RESULT: APPROVED [23 TO 0]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

AWAY: Moustis

VIII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MEDIA PRESENT

Elected officials present: Auditor, Duffy Blackburn; County Clerk, Lauren Staley Ferry; Recorder of Deeds, Karen Stukel; State’s Attorney James Glasgow; Senator Jennifer Bertino Tarrant; Mayor of Bolingbrook, Roger Claar.

Media present: Farmers Weekly Review, Nick Reiher; Herald News, Alex Ortiz

IX. HONORARY RESOLUTIONS / PROCLAMATIONS

1. Recognizing Mike Hennessey on 30 Years with United Way of Will County

2. Recognizing October as National Energy Awareness Month

RESULT: APPROVED [23 TO 0]

MOVER: Gretchen Fritz, District 5 (R - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

AWAY: Moustis

X. OLD BUSINESS

Status of Unsigned or Returned Resolutions/Ordinances by the County Executive

All Resolutions approved at the September 19, 2019 County Board Meeting have been signed by the County Executive

XI. NEW BUSINESS

1. Pace FY20 Budget Presentation

The Pace presentation has been placed on file in the County Clerk’s office.

Member Moustis stated Mr. Rocky Donahue, Mayor Claar, every year I have to say a little something. I do think Pace certainly tries very hard to improve service but yet most of Will County does not have fixed routes, they’re not workable fixed routes. There’s always going to be special programs that we may do or partner with employers, or whatever. The local transportation, most of our communities, the fixed routes are too far away and maybe there’s not enough fixed routes. There are certainly no fixed routes that go from one end of the County to the other, like a Rt. 30 that basically (inaudible) east / west to take you from one end of the County to the other. So what are we doing to try to improve.and I might add.l’ve been involved with the Pace program for over 30 years and it’s always been a challenge. I see more Pace operators either cutting their service or getting out because they can no longer afford the cost. We, in Frankfort Township, have our local and we also use Will Ride where we split the cost, but I’m thinking the average ride is like $36.00 and if you do that the round trip is $72.00 and the local’s picking up about 40% of that so they're really not affordable to operate. Years ago they did participate a little bit more in the cost of the operation. There were subsidies one way or the other. That’s many years ago I might add. My concern is that the local operators are just not going to be able to continue because of the cost burden. I don’t know what the answer is but I just want to express to you all that it’s becoming pretty tough. Frankfort Township with the entire tax levy of 2 million dollars. Two hundred thousand, 10% of the entire levy goes to Pace and out of that we’re only recapturing about $30,000 out of the $200,000, so for small governments who operate many of these, it gets tougher and tougher. I would assume (inaudible). I just want to point that out, that’s all.

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated thank you everybody. Hopefully briefly I’ll try to address some of the points you made. One, our chairman stated we’re undergoing a new strategic plan now, driving innovation. The reality of that strategic plan is the suburban landscape has vastly changed since Pace was formed in 1984. More people live in the suburbs now, more people work in the suburbs now, we realize, just as the chairman said, if we cut some bad performing routes and reinvest in those routes in certain areas of Will County we realize fixed route isn’t the answer and we have to look at other types of service, be it Dial A Ride, be it on demand, maybe partnering with the TNC’s, the Ubers and Lyfts of the world and subsidizing trips. We believe our strategic plan will help us address that. The biggest answer is really, and I hate to say this, Pace receives about 10 cents of every dollar that is invested in public transit in the region. Ninety cents of every dollar, quite honestly, serves the central business district of the City of Chicago. It either goes to CTA or it goes to Metra. I’m not criticizing those agencies, but it takes people from the suburban area into the jobs of the Central Business District within the City of Chicago. That’s what 90 cents of every dollar is spent on and 10 cents is left for us who address that suburb to suburb commute or the aging population as we heard from the students, the disabled community. The strategic plan is basically is, as it relates to Will County, here’s how much money we’re getting from Will County and how do we best utilize it? We appreciate the partnerships from our local communities such as Frankfort Township who helps subsidize certain services but I think unless we can get a paradigm shift of more of the resources going into suburban transit, we’re going to be faced with these challenges for a long time.

Member Cowan stated I live in the Naperville portion of Will County and I just noticed that one of the proposed cancellations is the route that serves my area on Route 59, the Saturday service. I just wanted to ask what the rational is for cutting that Saturday service.

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated thank you, that’s a great question. It’s a lot of factors. Every quarter, every three months, we evaluate every route in our system. We have over 200 routes. We evaluate them on certain criteria, fairbox recovery ratio is one of them. What that means is what does the route cost and how much we’re collecting back in fares to cover the cost of that route. As Member Moustis pointed out, (inaudible) spending X and what they’re getting back in fares is X and there’s a big subsidy. By state law the region as a whole has to recover 50% of its costs through the fairbox. The state of Illinois just said the customer has to pay 50% and the taxpayer has to pay 50% and if it’s a region you don’t recover that 50%, we’re not going to give you your state money because you guys have to make sure the customers are paying its fair portion. I’m not going to tell you our recovery ratio is even close to 50% but the RTA has said to us, your share to reach that is 50% because you have a different landscape, a different clientele. So one of the factors we look at is what is the recovery rate. I don’t have that in front of me but I know it’s like in the teens or maybe not even in the teens, 12-17% so not even close to that 30%. Other issues that we look at is the productivity and by that, how many riders per hour are getting on and off that bus and it’s not meeting that standard either. Another issue is the subsidy per trip. We have established that subsidy per trip is $5.00 is the average throughout the system. What’s going on on that service at least on the Saturday portion of it, we’re subsidizing it much more than $5.00. I can get you the exact things. We look at those, we look at every route in the system and the routes get ranked on productivity. Just as our chairman said, unfortunately we have an obligation to the taxpayers as well to take the limited resources we have and try to reinvest them in service that is carrying more people, it is just being more productive. Unfortunately that service on Saturday is not meeting that criteria.

Member Moustis stated I would like to ask just one more question. In Will County we started Will Ride. Will Ride is based on.we started by a grant from the RTA that will hopefully continue. I think one of the ways, and I know you’re not the RTA, to relieve some of that financial pressure and expand the system is by larger grants to like a Will County to help drive down some of that cost and expand the services. I know you don’t hand out the grants for the RTA but I think that is one of the ways that public transportation partnering with locals can be a little bit more successful. If they increase some of those grants, we’ll do the grunt work and put in our share and as it stands now, I would tell this Board we should put more money into Will Ride out of our budget also. I didn’t always say that but I’m saying it now. So I just want to say there are some other solutions. Just give us a little bit more resources, RTA, and if there’s things available to us or programs or ways you think we can get larger grants, I don’t even know who we talk to or lobby to try to get a shift of more grant money coming out of the RTA.

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated the RTA, they come and present their budget as well next month? They obviously do have grant programs for different types of services to local municipalities or counties or whatever and a lot of them are planning grants. Maybe it’s an aspect where they can re-look at their grant program and figure out if there’s a better way that they can subsidize the actual transit part of the programs that you guys work on versus some of the planning for TOD developments and so forth. That’s been very critical before where a lot of municipalities take advantage of those grants, get those plans done and then those projects never get built for whatever reason. It could be economics or it could be just nobody wants to move forward with them. Those are dollars that can maybe be reallocated that maybe you should bring up to them next month and we’ll certainly pass that along as well next month.

Member Berkowicz stated thank you. I’m also in the Naperville district and we know that the Pace busses are quite empty, we see that all the time. Is there a way that you could use smaller vehicles to cut down on the cost to providing that transportation? We also have a ride assist program. Could you work with them to provide transportation that’s necessary? Also in our area, Aurora, with that new development coming in we will see a resurgence in that area of business and residential and do you anticipate any increased demand with a development such as that?

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated thank you. Again, not to sound like a broken record but what you’re describing is the impetus of our strategic plan. Our last strategic plan was called Vison 2020. We launched it in 2001. We’re now four months from 2020 and we might a little late to the party but at least we’re coming to the party and realize we need a new plan. We started this in January of 2019 and as I described earlier, we realize the suburban landscape has changed. To your question about bigger busses versus small busses, we actually operate the largest small bus fleet in the nation. Our busses now, by industry standards, are smaller than 30 foot busses. Typical transit coaches are 40 foot busses. The real cost isn’t in the bus. We could argue and save a little on the capital side, it’s a smaller vehicle, but the cost is really on the driver side. The insurance, the fuel, the operations side. It’s a good question but it’s kind of a myth that a smaller bus is going to save us money. It may save us a little on the capital side but we still have to pay the driver to drive it, we still have to pay for the fuel, we still have to pay for the insurance. To your question about Aurora, absolutely. We’ve met with the Village of Aurora more than once. We realize it’s just not Aurora, we’ve met with businesses out here in Wil County. As the area grows, we have to, and this gets back to our limited resources, we have to take the resources we have now and redirect them into where people need to go and where the jobs are. Easier said than done. There are people who ride the service now and to them it’s very valuable and a Pace rider generally rides Pace because they’re dependent on their service. Unlike our sister agency, (inaudible), Metra, those are by far more choice riders. They choose to take Metra downtown, they don’t want to drive their car, they don’t want to pay for parking. Our riders are what you saw today: individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, low income workers that if Pace wasn’t there, they don’t get to school, they don’t get to work. I promise you, when we have to make these decisions like we’re doing with Saturday, they’re really not easy. We have that obligation as stewards of the taxpayers too. How can we get more people on the bus? So yes, we have the largest small bus fleet in the nation and we are working with Aurora on the new developments.

Member Ventura stated I have three things. First, I am an advocate of public transportation and I’ve encouraged this Board to continue down that path. Recently we’ve been discussing our gas tax (inaudible) what does that do for our RTA funds when they’re opened up? I couldn’t find it but we were given a document that showed what other counties invest in their RTA funds into public transportation versus Will County and it’s notable that other counties invest a lot more money than Will County does. Could you talk about if we were to invest those dollars here what you guys could do possibly with that money?

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated I don’t have the exact numbers in front of me county by county but I’ll use DuPage County as an example. DuPage County has a program that they call Ride DuPage where they partner with Pace, we provide vehicles, we provide funding, but they also provide funding. They have a 24 hour, seven day a week paratransit operation that is open to the general public throughout the whole county. There’s a resource of you’re able anywhere in the county you live you can get from point A to point B. It’s an expensive service. As Member Moustis has pointed out, this is Dial-a-Ride service. It picks individuals up at their home and it takes them to their location and it’s costly to operate that type of service. DuPage County has felt that was important to them. I’d be happy to share with to you what other counties are putting in and they type of programs that they do. There’s one program that we do something where in the City of Chicago for our ADA customers, we call our (inaudible) program where we subsidize taxi trips, so that’s potentially another opportunity. We’re (inaudible) right now in the Rosemont area, the Harvey area, subsidizing Uber and Lyft type of trips, ride-share trips. There are a lot of different things we can do and we'd be happy to sit down with the County and explore those options.

Member Ventura stated that is my second thing. Looking at expanded lines and more permanent routes but to know what those dollars would cost us if we want to invest in that. I’d love to see a future presentation and working with Ms. Wendie Garlich who coordinates some of our township.how we can create a system where all of our township busses can work together. I know the townships are working on it already, but where can the County fill in the gaps. (Inaudible) do our share. I would like the County to do our share and have that. My last point is what about electric busses?

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated it’s a great question. We have made the decision at Pace that we’re moving to compressed natural gas busses. Not as environmentally friendly as electric, but much more environmentally friendly than diesel vehicles. A diesel bus costs roughly $500,000 today. A compressed natural gas bus roughly costs $520,000, so $20,000 more. An electric vehicle is upwards of $700,000 to $800,000. It’s almost double the cost. We have a capital issue in the sense of (inaudible) and if there comes a cost benefit analysis, the operational savings between operating compressed natural gas and electricity, doesn’t warrant paying almost twice as much today as an electric bus. We also don’t have the infrastructure in the community to support electric buses right now. A lot of our busses are on the road for upwards of 12 hours a day, they would have to charge somewhere along the route and so we don’t have the infrastructure to support electric busses. However, as the technology changes and if those prices come down like everything, I remember in the 80's I bought a VHS for $1,000 and eventually you could buy one for $29.00. As technology changes with that, we’d probably move in that way. But we are moving to a more environmentally friendly fuel, compressed natural gas. The biggest supply of compressed natural gas is right here in the United States so we won’t be dependent on foreign fuel and the spikes that occur at the gas pump as well.

Member Harris stated is your strategic plan available on your website?

Mr. Rocky Donahue stated it is not yet. The strategic plan is still being developed but we envision it being rolled out to the public in January.

Mayor Claar stated first of all, Mr. Rocky Donahue has been with the Pace system since its inception. He was recently elevated to Executive Director and is a very hardworking knowledgeable man. It’s hard to compete with him as well as the expertise as Chairman Kwasneski (inaudible) room. I’ve never seen an agency that's more responsive to individual communities townships needs that Pace is (inaudible) local funding has to pick that up. So when you look at grants you have to look at the long-term also. Frankly sometimes the whims of people (inaudible) the numbers grow, they shift, the Park and Ride facilities are hard to come by, they’re expensive to maintain and build. The one in Plainfield is beautiful. We have two in Bolingbrook. The buildings in millions of square feet of industrial parks, business parks that have been built in Will County in the last 10 to 15 years. Those have changed too. A building has 30 employees one day, next year might have 500, so it's continually shifting and often Pace and other agencies like that are the last to know so we find out after the fact these needs and then we have to make a shift because we have to look at these people see empty busses, people see busses that are too crowded. It’s a continually changing (inaudible) but I can assure you that Pace staff does a great job. Ms. Beth Gonzales is here all the time. She’s officed at Bolingbrook, she’s available to meet with any of you if you have questions as well as our other Pace staff. I think your Pace dollars are in good hands but it all boils down to, ladies and gentleman, money. You wrestle with it, we wrestle with it, you can take it from here and move it there but eventually somebody is going to fill those pots. Thank you.

Metra FY20 Budget Presentation

The Metra presentation has been placed on file in the County Clerk’s office.

Member Tuminello stated my question is, after looking at your financial plan, it looks like you appear to be budgeting about $8 million less in paid ridership than in 2020. I was curious why that is and secondly, a follow up question, and it seems like in your 2021 and 2022 budget, all of the sudden you’re ramping that thing back up where you’re gaining 10% ridership all the way up to $442 million in total revenue. So it’s a little concerning that we see a big drop off. Over two years later you think it’s going to rise (inaudible).

Mr. Norman Carlson stated the short answer is the main reason for the drops in ridership has been people have been working more at home than they have in the past. When Cook County started to accept electronic filings, the legal community ridership went like this, because they only now come downtown one day a week or one day a month. The only time they come down is when they have a court appearance. That’s one of the examples we've seen recently. Number two is, we have hired a bright, young guy as a marketing fellow and we’re looking to start to ramp up our marketing. It doesn’t affect here, but one of the major areas we are looking at is reverse commuting. We have a substantial reverse commuting market from Chicago to Lake County. Why? Because the Lake County businesses have invested in the shuttle service from the train station to the businesses. We added a morning sunrise express on our Milwaukee North line. RTA gave us a grant for half the cost. We put together a partnership, Lake County Partners, which is the economic development organization and we have 15 publically traded company headquarters in Lake County. We have Abbott, AbbVie which is the spinoff of Abbott, Grainger, and a number of others. These are the principal companies that are helping to fund this service. In addition, the County of Lake, the City of Lake Forest, and the Village of Deerfield contributed to the 50% pool that helped put the operating cost of this train. The next step is for us to put a universal crossover. That’s where you have a right-hand switch and a left-hand switch so you can reverse tracks and reverse the direction of the trains. That same group of partners from Lake County have committed to 50% funding on the capital cost of that crossovers and the related signals. That will allow us to run more trains and turn them at the Lake Forest platforms, or just north of the Lake Forest platforms to save time of running equipment. That starts us to get more efficient use of our equipment. We are starting the discussions of some additional service with the businesses in Lake County. Abbvie is the one that is looking at it. Why? Abbvie is looking at adding $100 million in payroll. Their targets are mainly young people that want to live in Chicago and they see us providing that reverse commuter service is a huge benefit to their recruitment efforts because these young people do not want to drive and when they can work on the train. The train makes stops in Chicago and then runs nonstop from Devon Avenue in Chicago to Lake-Cook Road. Our own transportation people couldn’t believe how fast we could get a train up there by providing that type of service.

Member Tuminello stated thank you.

Member Traynere stated I just wanted to let you know that I visited the new Romeoville station and it’s very nice. Can you put some tracks through Bolingbrook? The Romeoville station is very nice and the parking has filled up already from what I understand from talking to the riders. I think there’s just three trains and I believe it’s the second train that gets the most traffic. On a non- holiday week, a non-Monday, there’s a lot of cars there. I can see it in the future you’re going to have a need for more parking.

Mr. Norman Carlson stated the parking lot has been expanded once already and there is land for another expansion. That’s in the plans, it’s not funded right now. I’m going to take an opportunity to say, just so you know, (inaudible) has asked us for us to add any trains on that is $5 million in capital money each roundtrip.

Member Traynere stated you have three trains. It’s a decent amount of trains.

Mr. Norman Carlson stated I will tell you that Representative Dan Lipinski is very focused on this issue. We have met with Representative Dan Lipinski on a number of occasions and it comes up all the time. We were able to get that $245 in so we had four trips out and we’ve also tried to explore conversations of not going anywhere to try to have some reverse commuting and we approached our guy and it turned out that there are people that would much rather have a bus be in a (inaudible) because of the number of stations on BNSF line going in and out. We are doing a lot of things to see how we can recover for the ridership. Yes, the price of gas impacts us. More importantly, the price of parking downtown impacts us and the fare increases, to some impact, impact us but this is the second year without a fare increase and we’re looking to hopefully recover some of that ridership.

Member Traynere stated I do find it interesting that on the BNSF there aren’t any express routes within the main section. I don’t know how to explain it other to give an example, from Naperville to Berwyn, 15 stops.

Mr. Norman Carlson stated without getting too deep in the weeds on the railroads, we have a train on BNSF during the rush hours every four and a fraction minutes. That is a rapid transit frequency on a diesel powered commuter rail operation. If it was electrified it would be a little bit easier because of the acceleration and deceleration rates of an electric train versus a diesel train. If you’re sitting in a dispatching center, the most interesting thing is we’re weaving the trains between the outer track and the inner track.

Member Traynere stated like air traffic controllers I’m sure.

Mr. Norman Carlson stated exactly right. That’s a very good analogy. If we had an all-stop train there that was running 30 miles per hour, you can imagine what happens to the express trains. What we try to do is set up a skip stop pattern. There are a couple of trains that do makes stops out and make stops down. The average ridership on the Naperville expresses is 1700 people. It’s a very busy train. It takes 18 minutes for the person who’s in the western most car to walk the length of Union Station to get off that train and that assumes we don’t bring a train in on the opposing track on the same platform. Those are some of the things, the dynamics of that service. My other comment is, we have a minor miracle twice a day, its called rush hour. The other thing I will tell you, the easiest thing we do is run trains; police activity, passenger emergencies.you would not believe how many cars get stuck on the tracks. It just goes on and on. We move the population of Naperville, system-wide (inaudible) Chicago in the morning, we move it back out in the afternoon and we have all the attending problems of handling a municipality.

Member Ventura stated I’m not sure if this is run through you guys, but at one point there was talk of a high-speed rail going to St. Louis and then the project got stalled. In the future, is that anything you guys are looking at from Chicago to St. Louis?

Mr. Norman Carlson stated that’s Amtrak’s (inaudible). Speaker Winfrey stated thank you very much.

3. Presentation by Plainfield Twp HS Students - the Effect Public Transportation will have on Future Generations

Presentation is on file with the County Clerk’s Office.

Good morning. Thank you for allowing us to speak today about public transportation. Our team is from a Plainfield School District 202 Transition Program house of Joliet Junior College. Our program is called P-STEP which stand for Post Secondary Transition Education Program. My name is (inaudible) and I am the vocational coordinator of P-STEP. As part of our program, we work with students with disabilities who use public transportation because most of our students do not drive. During the school day we only use public transportation. Fixed route busses to travel to classes at the JJC Culinary Center downtown, classes at the Disability Resource Center in Joliet and to various other sites such as the mall for travel training. We are very familiar with the 501, the fixed route busses that stop at JJC. Our program currently has 48 students and it’s growing. Hopefully in the future, all these students will be working and they will all need transportation. We encourage independence and public transportation and greatly (inaudible) that independence for our students. It costs the school district about $81.76 every time a school bus goes out one way. Think of how much we’re saving the district by using transportation every day; public transportation. Thank you for all that you’ve already done and hopefully we’ll expand this in the future, maybe even a fixed bus route along Rt. 59. Thank you and now we’ll hear from our students.

Hi. I am one of the P-STEP teachers. Part of our curriculum includes teaching travel training, which we feel is so important because students need a way to get to and from work as well as social opportunities. So I’m going to talk about one of my favorite topics which is our students. One of our students who is now in Project Search is named Kayla. Kayla lives in Romeoville and on the weekend she likes to use the PACE bus to go to Louis Joliet Mall. Some of the other places that students like to go and we go within our program include downtown Joliet where we take culinary skills classes. We also like to go out to eat in downtown Joliet, come to places like this and we also take a yearly trip using the METRA train. Another one of our students is names Jose. Jose was with us a few years ago where we really practiced using public transportation. Jose actually has a job at the Walmart in Plainfield. However, because he lives in Central Plainfield, there’s not a PACE bus that goes by his house. Some of our colleagues, including myself, have seen Jose walking down Rt. 59. Although we are so proud of his dedication to get to and from work, knowing how busy Rt. 59 is, this is not always very safe so he actually uses Uber now, and anyone that’s used Uber knows it can get very expensive over time. We have another former student named Jeremy. Jeremy was offered a job at Walmart. He lives by Larry’s Diner in Plainfield and due to the limited transportation he is unable to get to and from work. We are very proud of two of our students this year, Sean and Christian, who recently obtained employment at two of our high schools, Plainfield South and Plainfield Central in their district. This year, Plainfield School District is providing transportation from our program which is housed at Joliet Junior College to their places of employment and then their parents have to pick them up. In the future, I know one of their goals is to utilize public transportation independently to get to and from work. As you can see, adding more public transportation in our community would be so beneficial for not only our current students but our future students as well as our family members. We really appreciate all the work you guys have already done, including the park and ride. Thank you guys so much for your time.

State's Attorney Glasgow Presentation

State’s Attorney Glasgow stated good morning. On October 9, 2019 we had a banquet, Real Hero’s Don’t Wear Capes, to celebrate the people who help us carry out the mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center. It was amazing. The spirit in the room was really special. Mr. Scott Cross gave the keynote address and he was good enough to fly from Florida to do that and he didn’t charge us a dime. We were looking for speakers and some wanted as much as $40,000, but he did go and he’s not looking out for publicity. Here’s a kid, his father was a pastor, lived in a rural community, where everybody was God fearing and churchgoing and he goes to school and his wrestling coach was obviously abusing the young men on the wrestling team. Of course back then they didn’t say anything because it was branded as something evil, you as the child. We’re past that. We’re much more accepting of people and what their lifestyles are and so we don’t condemn people, especially when they are a victim. Especially when they are a child. I was hoping very much to give this award to Executive Walsh personally. This thing is amazing. It weighs about 10 pounds. I was looking forward to giving it to him personally again today. Executive Walsh has played a critical role in the Children’s Advocacy Center. After three years at Silver Cross Hospital, he stepped up and got us some office space within the County and every time we needed to move to a new location, a larger location, he provided us with that location as the County Executive, that’s his promise. But again, he can refuse. We’ve got a decent space right now. We’re working on building a separate building but what we have right now is working very well for our needs. We’ve talked to the County Board about getting some remodeling for our accreditation because some of the walls don’t go to the ceiling. We recently heard a summary of Executive Walsh’s career. I don’t think anyone will ever match Executive Larry Walsh for his continuous public service. I don’t know how many decades it was that he’s held elected office. I, personally, when he was a senator in Springfield had an opportunity to have some bills for me, one in particular, the animal torture bill when somebody set a cat on fire in Joliet. I went down to Springfield and Executive Walsh sponsored the bill. Our biggest hurdle was getting an animal husbandry exception. It wasn’t going to pass without that. I don’t know anyone other than Executive Walsh who could have dealt with the farm lobby the way he did and got that bill through. We were one of the first states in the nation to make it a felony to torture an animal. Torturing of animals goes to the basis of so much of our criminal activity from domestic violence to sexual abuse to murder. It’s a critically important law and Executive Walsh played a huge role in getting that passed. You all know what he’s done here. His legacy is very lengthy. This is the Glen Marcum award. His son, Member Tyler Marcum is on the Board now carrying on Mr. Glen Marcum’s legacy. Of course Executive Walsh has his son in the statehouse and his other son Mr. Shawn Walsh is the Superintendent of Schools, he does a very excellent job there. Executive Walsh and I are about the same age and you realize your viability and your vulnerability. I’m still praying that he’s going to make it through. He’s a tough guy. He never gives up. Hopefully by taking some time off and not being under the stress here that he’ll be able to enjoy his retirement that he’s richly entitled too. This Glen Marcum Award, which is selfless dedication to community service, I think is about as richly deserved by Executive Larry Walsh as anybody that I can think of. Again, Executive Walsh, if you are listening, we’re all praying for you and we’re anxious to see you enjoy your vacation going to Ireland and whatever else you want to do next.

XII. LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - T. MARCUM, CHAIR

Member Marcum stated thank you Speaker Winfrey.

Open Public Hearing for all Land Use Cases

RESULT: APPROVED [23 TO 0]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)

AYES: Koch, Moustis, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, VanDuyne, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Ventura, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

AWAY: Ogalla

PLEASE BE ADVISED: ABSOLUTELY NO NEW EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION WILL BE ALLOWED ONCE THIS LAND USE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.

Speaker Winfrey stated anyone wishing to speak on the Land Use cases? Close Public Hearing for all Land Use Cases

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, VanDuyne, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Ventura, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

1. Ordinance Amending the Will County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance Adopted and Approved September 9, 1947 as Amended, for Zoning Case ZC-19-036, Mary Lou Gast, Owner of Record, Thomas Osterberger of Kavanagh, Grumley and Gorbold LLC, Attorney, Requesting (M-19-009) Zoning Map Amendment from A-1 to I-1 and (S-19-007)Special Use Permit for a Truck Terminal, for Pin #30-07-25-400- 014-0000, in Joliet Township, Commonly Known as Vacant Property on Cherry Hill Road, Joliet, IL, County Board District #8

Member Marcum stated our first case is ZC-19-036.

Member Ventura stated in Land Use I voted no on this case (inaudible) been brought to the County. I do plan to vote no. There is a letter from the Forest Preserve that talks about the waterways. This does sit adjacent to the forest preserve land. My constituents, even though this is not in my district, I’m in District 9, this is in District 8, they are tired of having trucking terminals, parking lots and warehouses and they’d like to see innovation and maybe housing, some other investments come to this property. Since there are other interests have come to this property. Since there are other interests by the Forest preserve for this property. I would ask that other people consider that when making their vote. Also the last thing I want to bring up is that we may be setting a precedent here without a long-term plan. I have talked on the Land Use Committee about looking at a (inaudible) going forward so we’re not approving these things in a vacuum that we do know the precedent that we’re setting. To that point, the city of Joliet is looking at a program called a pilot program which would increase taxes for things like a trucking terminals and warehouses. If this passes, then we may see an increase here in Will County for that. The reason for that is the warehouses bring in $16,000 per acre for property taxes but trucking terminals only bring in $8,000 and parking lots only bring in $4,000. So to that point, they’re looking to increase that because the trucks still tear up the roads regardless of whether they’re in a parking lot or a terminal. That being said I think that’s something we should look at as well. For those reasons I will be a no on this vote. Thank you.

RESULT: APPROVED [21 TO 3]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

NAYS: Rice, VanDuyne, Ventura

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

PZC: 7-0 Appr Map Amendment from A-1 to I-1

PZC: 7-0 Appr SUP for Truck Terminal w/3 Conditions LUD: 6-1 Appr Map Amendment from A-1 to I-1

Member Marcum stated I want to verify really quickly, we have to take a vote for the map amendment and a separate vote on the special use permit. I’d like to amend my motion just to be for the map amendment from A-1 to I-1.

LUD: 6-1 Appr SUP for Truck Terminal w/3 Conditions

Member Marcum stated for the same case I’d like to make a motion to approve a special use permit for a truck terminal.

RESULT: APPROVED [21 TO 3]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

NAYS: Rice, VanDuyne, Ventura

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

LUD: 6-1 Appr SUP for Truck Terminal w/3 Conditions Member Marcum stated for the same case I’d like to make a motion to approve a special use permit for a truck terminal.

RESULT: APPROVED [21 TO 3]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

NAYS: Rice, VanDuyne, Ventura

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

2. Ordinance Amending the Will County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance Adopted and Approved September 9, 1947 as Amended, for Zoning Case ZC-19-044, Ramiro Galvez and Maria G. Hernandez Barajas, Owners of Record, O. Wendy Galvez, Agent, Requesting (S-19-011) Special Use Permit for the Keeping of Horses, Farm Animals and Livestock, (V-19-050) Variance for the Minimum Setback for an Animal Confinement Building from 50 feet to 20 feet and (V-19-053) Variance for Maximum Accessory Building Area from 1,800 square feet to 2,734 square feet, for Pin #11-04-35-401-010-0000, in Lockport Township, Commonly Known as 17850 Rosalind Street, IL, County Board District #9

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Annette Parker, District 9 (R - Crest Hill)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

PZC: 7-0 Var for Min Setback for Animal Confinement Bldg from 50 ft to 20 ft

PZC: 7-0 Appr Var for Max Accessory Bldg Area from 1800 sq ft to 2734 sq ft

PZC: 7-0 Appr SUP for Keeping of Horses, Farm Animals & Livestock w/7 Conditions

LUD: 7-0 Appr SUP for Keeping of Horses, Farm Animals & Livestock w/7 Conditions

3. Ordinance Amending the Will County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance Adopted and Approved September 9, 1947 as Amended, for zoning case ZC-19-053, Lisa M Lesniak 2017 Trust, Owner of Record, (Lisa Lesniak, Trustee; Robert Fox 50% Beneficiary; Gabrielle Lesniak 50% Beneficiary) Requesting (M-19-012) Map Amendment from A-1 to R-2A, for Pin #23-15-12-300-016-0000, in Crete Township, Commonly Known as 24626 S. Stoney Island, Crete, IL, County Board District # 1

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

PZC: 7-0 Appr Map Amendment from A-1 to R-2A

LUD: 7-0 Appr Map Amendment from A-1 to R2A

XIII. LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

1. 19-268 Request for Refund of Fees - EMA Builders

RESULT: FAILED [2 TO 22]

MOVER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

AYES: Balich, Weigel

NAYS: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, VanDuyne, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Ventura, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Ferry, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Land Use & Development Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 12, 2019 @ 10:30 a.m.

XIV. FINANCE COMMITTEE - K. HARRIS, CHAIR

Member Harris stated good morning Speaker Winfrey, County Board members and all in attendance.

1. Monthly Financial Reports to be Placed on File

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Motion to Amend Resolution 19-269

Member Weigel stated I’m not in favor of taking 100% of the CPI. I don’t believe in the last 10 years we have taken 100% of the CPI. We don’t need this additional tax money I don’t believe. We probably will be going to have a tax on marijuana and this could supplement this. I’d like to make an amendment that we reduce the CPI by one half.

Member Harris stated I believe the formula, does it allow us to reduce it to all or nothing if I understand that correctly?

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated based on the formula when you’re doing the calculation, you take the base from the previous year, the current year CPI and you include that into a formula. With taking CPI and new property as (inaudible) continues to increase, that’s going to automatically decrease your rate. The formula includes CPI and it’s, as I have stated before at previous meetings and I believe in committee we’ve had this discussion, that based on the current formula and as your (inaudible) continues to grow, as we continue to see that trend that’s going to continue to increase that overall rate and that will benefit the County as the dollars that (inaudible).

Member Balich stated I agree with Member Weigel even though if it was up to me we would do the easy way out and probably the most likeable thing by our constituents that would be to take one penny out of every line item and actually cut the dollars and not talk about percentages and rates. Right now we’re looking at an exodus out of the state of Illinois. We need to do our part at the County, not to follow the example of the state of Illinois and tax everything to the max. I understand if the amendment goes through, I’d vote for it because it has a chance of passing, but I don’t like taking the CPI at all. I think it’s wrong. I’m just hoping the rest of the Board looks at it like that. How many people in your neighborhood want to get out of here? Most people want to leave Illinois and the ones that are staying are the ones that can’t. They can’t leave or they can’t sell their house. So let’s try to help the taxpayers.

Member Traynere stated I will be voting no on this suggested change. I’ve heard from the other side of the aisle several times over the last couple of weeks about several new expenses they want to add to the County budget and frankly I just don’t see how we could do it without the full CPI so I will be in favor of the motion as written. Thank you.

Member Moustis stated first let me make a quick comment of saying that I realize this will still lower the tax rate. It doesn’t mean we have to tax at the maximum level. I might also point out this is an estimated levy. The actual levy isn’t set until April I believe. I always forget exactly what it says. I think it's April.

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated the final number’s come in around April. This action here is just setting the estimated levy. The final numbers will come in in April and that’s where we will receive the update as to based on what you estimate today what you actually get.

Member Moustis stated so April is when you really set the levy, I guess is what I want to point out. The other question I would have then is when the motion was passed what was the CPI, 1.9?

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated yes.

Member Moustis stated so it probably should say something like lowered by nine tenths of a percent or something or just do one percent. I thinking of how it would be a better way of wording the motion. I think it should have a hard number on it.

Member Fricilone stated Ms. ReShawn Howard can you tell us the dollars attributable to 1.9?

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated sure. The 1.9 in CPI amounted to about $2.5 million in overall dollars and with new property we had $1.3 million and so a total of $3.8 million.

Member Brooks stated Speaker Winfrey, I heard discussion that we should go to the max because there’s a possibility a cannabis tax is coming down the chute which we have not yet discussed. Ms. ReShawn Howard, we don’t know what that is. There have been no discussions so we don’t know what that dollar amount might be sitting her on October 17th.

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated no we don’t have that information and you guys haven’t had that discussion.

Member Ogalla stated as in the past I have always stated that CPI’s Consumer Price Index which has already increased to our residents. I am not in favor of taking the whole CPI but I would support as Member Weigel suggested and make a motion, which I seconded to take in half that amount. I don't think it's right to always go to our taxpayers all the time, not just us, but every single body that can tax does this. What we need to do is every taxing body, take a look at what you have and need to become more conservative in their spending than what you are today. You can’t continue to grant all these things that everybody wants. Everybody’s going to want something, it’s never going to stop because I want a lot of stuff too, but we have to be conservative about it. That’s why I would support everybody supporting Member Weigel’s motion here to take half of the CPI. Thank you.

Member Kraulidis stated I would agree with Member Ogalla in supporting Member Weigel’s statement. One of the things I do want to make reference to is you used the term “capturing resources” would benefit the County, or statement similar to that. This isn’t an attack on you it’s a general understanding. First of all, when we say we’re “capturing” something, we’re capturing what? We’re capturing the finances the taxes of our constituents. I think when they vote us in, they trust us with their money that they send in here. So I don’t believe in capturing anything from them. I believe in supporting them and watching out for their money and whether that applies to new bargaining at the Forest Preserve, whether that applies to additional gas taxes at the County level, we have a responsibility to the taxpayer and not just to the governmental agency that we’re representing today. Thank you.

Member Moustis stated I just want to make one other really quick comment. The budget was based on these revenues, correct?

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated these revenues are included in the draft.

Member Moustis stated so you would have to cut $1.2 million out of.

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated whatever the Board decides as to the direction they want to take on the levy that revenue would have to be reduced out of the current draft budget, right.

Member Moustis stated so let’s just say $1.2 million.we would have to go back and look at the budget and reduce the budget by $1.2 million.

Ms. ReShawn Howard stated yes.

Speaker Winfrey stated the amendment on the floor is to reduce the CPI by half which was seconded by Member Ogalla.

RESULT: DEFEATED [11 TO 13]

MOVER: Tom Weigel, District 12 (R - New Lenox)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

AYES: Ogalla, Moustis, Fritz, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Parker, Berkowicz, Tuminello, Weigel, Kraulidis

NAYS: Koch, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Mueller, VanDuyne, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Ventura, Marcum, Cowan, Ferry

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

2. 19-269 Determination of the Estimate of the Annual Aggregate Levy

RESULT: APPROVED [15 TO 9]

MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

AYES: Koch, Moustis, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Mueller, VanDuyne, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Ventura, Marcum, Cowan, Ferry

NAYS: Ogalla, Fritz, Gould, Balich, Parker, Berkowicz, Tuminello, Weigel, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

3. 19-270 Appropriating Grant Funds in the Coroner's FY2019 Budget for SUDORS Participation

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

4. 19-271 Awarding Bid for Annual Audit

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

5. 19-272 Authorizing County Executive to Execute Necessary Documents for Delinquent Tax Program

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Finance Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 5, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m.

XV. PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE - J. VANDUYNE, CHAIR

Member Van Duyne stated thank you and good morning.

1. 19-273 Authorizing the Will County's State's Attorney's Office to Proceed with Condemnation Cases Regarding the County's Improvements of Laraway Road (CH 74) from Stonebridge Drive to Cedar Road (CH 4), County Board District #12

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Ray Tuminello, District 12 (R - New Lenox)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

2. 19-274 Authorizing Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Design Engineering Services (Phase I) with RS & H Inc., for Gougar Road (CH 52) from Laraway Road (CH 74) to Francis Road (CH 64), Section 19-00154-18-PV, County Board Districts #9 and #12

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

3. 19-275 Authorizing the Appropriation of MFT Funds ($2,633,678.00) for Design Engineering Services (Phase I) by County Under the IL Highway Code for Gougar Road (CH 52) from Laraway Road (CH 74) to Francis Road (CH 64), County Board Districts #9 and #12

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Ray Tuminello, District 12 (R - New Lenox)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

4. 19-276 Authorizing Approval of Supplemental Professional Services Agreement for Design Engineering Services (Phase II) with Hutchison Engineering Inc. on Briggs Street (CH 54) from the I-80 Westbound Ramps North to Washington Street Section 17-00053-19-FP, County Board District #8

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

5. 19-277 Authorizing the Appropriation of MFT Funds ($120,000.00) for Supplemental Design Engineering Services (Phase II) by County Under the IL Highway Code for Briggs Street (CH 54) from I-80 Westbound Ramps North to Washington Street, County Board District #8

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

6. 19-278 Authorizing Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Construction Inspection Services (Phase III) with KTA-Tator Inc. on Briggs Street (CH 54) from the I-80 Westbound Ramps North to Washington Street Section 17- 00053-19-FP, County Board District #8

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

7. 19-279 Authorizing the Appropriation of MFT Funds ($50,000.00) for

Construction Inspection Services (Phase III) by County Under the IL Highway Code for Briggs Street (CH 54) from I-80 Westbound Ramps North to Washington Street, County Board District #8

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

8. 19-280 Authorizing An Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the County of Will for the Completion of the Will County ITS Plan, County Board Districts #1 through #13

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)

SECONDER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 7, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m.

XVI. JUDICIAL COMMITTEE - T. MARCUM, CHAIR

Member Marcum stated we have nothing for Judicial.

Next Judicial Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 5, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m.

XVII. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE - L. SUMMERS, CHAIR

Member Rice stated good morning

Next Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 7, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m.

XVI. JUDICIAL COMMITTEE - T. MARCUM, CHAIR

Member Marcum stated we have nothing for Judicial.

Next Judicial Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 5, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m.

XVII. PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE - L. SUMMERS, CHAIR

Member Rice stated good morning.

1. PUBLIC HEARING Regarding Amendments to the Will County Sewage Treatment and Disposal Ordinance.

RESULT: OPENED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Motion to Close Public Hearing

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Julie Berkowicz, District 11 (R - Naperville)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

2. 19-281 Amending the Will County Sewage Treatment and Disposal Ordinance

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

3. 19-282 Increasing Private Pay Rates for Sunny Hill Nursing Home

Member Ogalla stated I’m always opposed to increasing fees, it’s a cost to the residents. But what I can tell everyone here is that we are significantly lower than other nursing homes in the private pay rate. Our residents at Sunny Hill have such a better quality of life because the services that are provided there are so much better. The care is better, the facility is fabulous, the food is good and the people that volunteer there really care for the residents. With the new change where we have this patient driven payment model so rehab services are better. That’s a whole thing that’s going on in the state. It’s much better because now because instead of a resident getting services right as they get out of the hospital, and then they get into this extensive rehab, now they’re going to be looking more at the individual patient and doing rehab services at their level. I think it’s a lot better so I’m proud to say that I have been the chair of Public Health and Safety in the past,this is one thing that we do as a County and it is much better than many other counties so I just wanted to get those comments out there. Thank you.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

4. 19-283 Awarding Bid for Medical Products for Sunny Hill Nursing Home

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Annette Parker, District 9 (R - Crest Hill)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

5. 19-284 Renewing Contract for Nursing Services (CNA, LPN & RN) at Sunny Hill Nursing Home

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Beth Rice, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

SECONDER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 6, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m. Immediately Following Forest Preserve Meetings at the Forest Preserve District Building

XVIII. LEGISLATIVE & POLICY COMMITTEE - J. TRAYNERE, CHAIR

Member Traynere stated thank you Speaker Winfrey. We had a very productive meeting. Lots of conversation on a number of topics including the Childs Advocacy Center funding, biosolid fertilizer, vaping, but the one that we are going to be taking action on is the cost of insulin. There is a senate bill 667. We are going to write a letter for the Board to consider approval at the next County Board meeting supporting the bill that caps the cost of insulin to $100 per month. I do realize that’s not the full cost because anyone that has diabetes also has to bear the cost of the test strips, the lancets, and the needles and they add significantly to the cost. At least this is a start. Insulin prices have almost doubled in the last five years. Something needs to happen, this is a lifesaving thing. This isn’t a lifestyle choice. If you have Type 1 Diabetes, you’re born with it, it doesn’t matter your exercise level or your weight, you need insulin. Your body doesn’t produce it or what it does produce you cannot use. This is a life or death situation and the cost should not be prohibitively expensive to any American in a country as wealthy as ours. That letter will be coming shortly. We’re still looking for any ideas for the state agenda by the way.

Next Legislative & Policy Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 12, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m.

XIX. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE - H. BROOKS, CHAIR

Member Brooks stated good morning Speaker Winfrey. We have an updated update today. Member Tuminello I don’t know if you got this, it was updated today. Our Health Department, the Courthouse, Animal Control, EMA, you’ll all be getting this this afternoon because it just updated today and there’s much more good news. Everything is still on track.

1. Update on Capital Improvements Projects

2. 19-285 Authorizing the County Executive to Award Contract for Asbestos Abatement at the Current Health Department Facility

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Capital Improvements Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 5, 2019 @ 11:00 a.m.

XX. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - D. WINFREY, CHAIR

1. PUBLIC HEARING to Discuss an Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by the Installation or Use of Potable Water Supply Wells or by Any Other Method

Speaker Winfrey stated I have no speakers signed up for this portion. Are there speakers wishing to speak on this resolution?

Ms. Marge Fleet stated could you please define what you mean by potable water supply and the use of potable water supply wells or any other method? And what areas does this affect?

Mr. Mike Ciserella from Cantera Development Groups stated good morning. Potable water supply wells are defined as wells that are used for drinking purposes only. So you install those wells (inaudible) and they’re used to extract water from the ground for drinking water purposes only.

Mr. Wayne Smith from Pioneer Engineering and Environmental Services at the podium.

Ms. Marge Fleet stated and what areas do these (inaudible) pertain to?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated there are three individual parcels. There is one in Joliet which is the former Sheffield Steel sight. There is the east adjacent right-of-way from CN Railway, and east of the railway there is an NWRD parcel which is a metropolitan water reclamation district and that runs to the river. Those are the three parcels that are included as part of the ground water ordinance. In total it’s probably 50-60 acres.

Speaker Winfrey stated more commonly known as North Broadway in Joliet.

Member Moustis stated since you’re down there I wasn’t going to ask a question but you’re down there. These are all sites that ground water is contaminated? What’s the problem with the water?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated the problem is that this is an institutional control prohibiting use of ground water because they’re suspected or they’re may be presence of environmental contaminates in the water that migrates east of the Sheffield Steel site.

Member Moustis stated so when you say suspected you don’t know (inaudible).

Mr. Wayne Smith stated we’ve done significant testing on the Sheffield Steel sight which has some confirmed contamination and this is a mathematical model that we use to predict contamination for an extended period of time. (inaudible) we’ve identified that it may migrate east towards the river but not reach the river.

Member Moustis stated your model shows it’s most likely contaminated and moving.

Mr. Wayne Smith stated correct.

Speaker Winfrey stated and this is in line with the (inaudible) process?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated this is the final step, or one of the final steps in getting a no further (inaudible) letter which is a viable form of EPA closure that signifies the site is protected of (inaudible) of the environment. It is a necessary step to transact the property.

Member Ogalla stated I just wanted to clarify, are there any residential properties in this area that would be impacted by this?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated no.

Member Traynere stated my question was is the property owner and former steel business being held accountable? Are they paying for any of this?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated no the property was.I bought the property from (inaudible), which bought Sheffield Steel. This plant was closed and then we bought the property from (inaudible) and we’re responsible for all assessment testing of the site soil and groundwater, all site remediation and all regulatory closure work with the state.

Member Traynere stated is there a plan for what’s going to happen to this land? Is there any usable purpose for the land now?

Mr. Wayne Smith stated yes. We have spent the last two and a half years doing hundreds of thousands of dollars in environmental testing and cleanup and the plan right now is we have (inaudible) which is a scrap metal recycler on the east adjacent MWRD parcel on the river and they are currently a tenant. The plan is once we’re able to obtain and no (inaudible) letter from the state EPA, the plan then is to sell the property to (inaudible) which in turn is going to redevelop a significant portion of the site, invest a lot of money and employ more people increasing their business in the area.

Member Ventura stated I just want to be clear on this. As opposed to the EPA requiring further mitigation and cleaning it up, I am looking at the letter from Pioneer, only because you said it was moving. In this letter from Pioneer it basically says it’s not.all areas within the predicted extent of the contamination migration are within Will County and the residential contamination is not predicted to reach the DesPlaines River which we locate at 500 feet east of the subject property. I just want to make sure that’s clear that if we’re voting to this Board as opposed to cleaning it up, it’s because we don’t think it’s going to get into the waterways for everybody else. I just want to make that clear. You said it was moving, it’s not moving into the waterways.

Mr. Wayne Smith stated it’s potentially moving. It’s a model that we use to project where the contamination might go years down the road. Is that correct Mr. Mike Ciserella?

Mr. Mike Ciserella stated yes. There’s no current information that suggests that historical contamination would migrate to the river.

Member Ventura stated because if I believe there was I would be voting no on this and making you guys clean it up. I want to make it very clear by voting yes on this is because we don’t believe that this contamination will get into drinkable water by people in our county.

Mr. Wayne Smith stated that’s also the role of the Illinois EPA is to evaluate those same issues. That’s how we go through the process in order to determine if that’s a viable option. That is a viable option since it does not have any information to suggest it will reach the river.

Member Ventura stated thank you.

Mr. Wayne Smith stated thank you for your time.

RESULT: OPENED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Motion to Close Public Hearing

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Tyler Marcum, District 10 (D - Joliet)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

2. 19-286 Prohibiting Use of Groundwater as Potable Water Supply by the Installation or Use of Potable Water Supply Wells or by Any Other Method

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

3. 19-265 Authorizing Will County to Provide Contribution for the Homeless Strategic Plan

Member Moustis stated I have a question. Mr. (inaudible) are you here today? I’m going to vote yes for this but I’m still unclear exactly what it is. We, Will County, we already have a different homeless initiative that we do for the County, whether that revenue source comes from our CDBG, grant funds, HUD funds. I believe we did some things with Trinity, maybe some other programs that we are involved in for homeless. Now this is going to create a strategy (inaudible) Joliet on this? Is that what we’re doing? We’re doing strategy with Joliet?

Ms. Martha Sojka stated good morning. The Community Development Division of the Will County Land Use Department. These funds would go to the creation of a strategic plan for the Continuum of Care, which is an organization that consists of a bunch of entities, many entities that work towards solving homelessness in the County. In the absence of a strategic plan, it’s really easy to kind of lose direction. The strategic plan much like Mr. Rocky Donahue was talking about, having a strategic plan for Pace. It provides direction for the collaboration so that we are all going in the same direction. In the absence of that it’s very easy to go in a different direction and we bring in just over four million dollars annually with the Continuum of Care (inaudible) that comes out. That’s really important to make sure that all these entities are on the same page. That’s what the funds would go for, specifically to provide direction to the Continuum of Care.

Member Moustis stated thank you.

Member Koch stated I’ll just speak very briefly on this. I have many of the same concerns Member Moustis has voiced. I actually delayed this vote for a month to make sure I felt comfortable with us allocating funds for this. I think it’s important that we are in early and for this amount to say that we want to partner to protect our most vulnerable residents. That said, we will be reviewing this monthly with reports from Ms. Martha Sojka and the CBDG Department in my committee to make sure this is going the way we anticipate it’s supposed to go, that the monies are being used well to help our community.

Member Marcum stated just quickly, I sit on the CoC, so this money will also provide.when HUD gives out money it’s on a point system so this will actually give our community more HUD money. This is kind of like an investment in the future because that money will be distributed throughout the whole county and it will provide a lot more points so it will make us more competitive nationally.

Member Ventura stated to answer Member Moustis’ last question, we are matching the funds for Joliet but Amita Health is also putting funds in and Grundy and Kendall are being approached about it as well. This is a joint effort of all of those entities, like Ms. Martha Sojka said, to make sure the agencies, multiple agencies (inaudible) work together all moving in the correct direction that we would like to see.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Amanda Koch, District 2 (D - Frankfort)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

4. 19-287 Authorizing a Programmatic Agreement between the County of Will and the Illinois Historic Preservation Officer for the Administration of Section 106 for Certain Programs Funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2024

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Amanda Koch, District 2 (D - Frankfort)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

5. 19-288 Granting a Temporary Access Permit for the Boulevard on Renwick Road (CH 36), County Board Districts #5 and #13

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

6. 19-289 Authorizing the County Executive to Execute an Amendment to a Countywide Radio System Tower Site Lease Agreement

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

7. 19-290 Establishing the Lincoln & 394 Corridor Enterprise Zone Subject to the Enterprise Zone Act of the State of Illinois

Member Ogalla stated I know when we talked about this at committee that I had asked for some information. We have all the enterprise zones, we have TIF districts, we have all that, my question was where do we see the benefit for these areas for this? I know in my part of this enterprise zone which is the Crete / Beecher area, I know there are a couple businesses that are expanding. I just want to get clarification on where we see this actually working because we always approve enterprise zones. I think it would be good for us to see.we’ve seen this growth here and there where there’s things growing. Is this the benefit or isn’t it? This is something for us to know about because sales tax revenue for this (inaudible) could easily be a great benefit if they’re building something to bring in more revenue for their districts. So I’m just looking for where are the improvements and do we believe enterprise zones actually work? That’s what I’m asking for clarification on that.

Speaker Winfrey stated are you asking about enterprise zones generally or can Mr. Colin Duesing answer some questions about this particular one?

Member Ogalla stated I asked at our committee meeting, I asked him this information so I’m assuming Mr. Colin Duesing went and got that information and is aware of it. That’s why I was asking.

Mr. Colin Duesing stated apparently you did not receive the email. Basically the current enterprise zone in the Beecher area and also in the south suburbs has received $29 million in investment in that enterprise zone since its inception in 2016. They are looking at over $190 million in investment if the enterprise zone is extended. That is just the commitments that they currently have. That does not include anything that may occur that’s unknown at this time.

Member Ogalla stated is that in Will County or the whole enterprise zone?

Mr. Colin Duesing stated the whole enterprise zone. That would increase the labor force to over 3,000 people on just that enterprise zone.

Member Ogalla stated I didn’t know I needed to send an email because I did make the request at our committee. Thank you I just wanted to clarify that because people ask questions all the time about it, enterprise zones, giving stuff to business, and they feel it’s taking away from them, from their tax base. So I just wanted to clarify that (inaudible) enterprise zone works because it allows the developer to increase his capacity of the existing site or build a new site (inaudible) removes the sales tax on them, so it’s a benefit on the construction end. That’s what I wanted everyone to know. Thank you.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Margaret Tyson, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

8. 19-291 Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between Will County and Various Municipalities for the Lincoln & 394 Enterprise Zone

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

9. 19-292 Authorizing the County Executive to Renew Professional Services Contract with Administrative Adjudication Hearing Officer Kelly A. Gandurski

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

10. 19-293 Renewing Computer Printer Remanufactured & New Toner Cartridges, Printer Maintenance & Yearly Cleaning Contract

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Ray Tuminello, District 12 (R - New Lenox)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

11. 19-294 Awarding Contract for Security Guard Services

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Margaret Tyson, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

12. 19-295 Declaring a Vacancy in District #1

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

13. 19-296 Authorizing Letter of Support for 12-Year Extension of Joliet City Center TIF District

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

14. 19-297 Authorizing an Exception to the Terms of the Medical Care Contract with Well Path

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

15. 19-298 Replacement Hires for the LCC 9-1-1

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

16. 19-299 Replacement Hire County Executive Maintenance Department

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

17. 19-300 Replacement Hire for Animal Control

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

18. 19-301 Replacement Hires for Sunny Hill Nursing Home

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

Next Executive Committee Meeting is Scheduled for November 7, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m.

XXI. APPOINTMENTS BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

1. October Appointments to Boards and Commissions

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Mark Ferry, District 13 (D - Plainfield)

SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

XXII. PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Amy Doty spoke about the Pregnancy Resource Center of Will County.

Ms. Thomasine Laib spoke about the Pregnancy Resource Center of Will County.

Mr. Leon Ausec expressed concern about abortion.

Ms. Chandra McCain spoke about the Pregnancy Resource Center of Will County.

Mr. Edward (inaudible) stated I intend on opening multiple recreational cannabis dispensaries throughout the state. I know it’s not on the agenda today but me and my group are trying to see if there’s a litmus test to see where Will County has leaned on the subject and if it will be formally on the agenda at the next meeting. I’m just trying to get a general feeling. I’m going around the state. Thank you for your time.

Speaker Winfrey stated we don’t know that at this point. Did you have any other statements or anything that you would like to make at this time? As soon as it is on the agenda to be discussed and to be voted on, it will be made public. It will be posted so you will have a chance to know. It will be on the website as well as in the newspapers. It will be a public meeting.

XXIII. COMMENTS BY COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS

Member Brooks stated to these young ladies in the audience, almost 30 years ago I served on the Board of the Pregnancy Center when (inaudible) was there. That was almost 30 years ago. As a result, I have three adopted children. I wanted you all to know this very short statement and Member Balich is going to ask you all a question. We do recognize pro-life this month by making a statement that we believe that people in Will County want protection for their babies and we all believe that they want to be kept alive.

Member Balich stated at this time me and Member Brooks would ask any County Board member that believes that protection of babies born alive to please stand and say, “I agree.” I asked all the County Board members that agree in protection for babies born alive to please stand and say, “I agree.” Thank you very much.

Member Berkowicz stated well we all know now that October is Respect Life month. As we reflect on that I would like to share an excerpt from the Respect Life journal, Christ is our Hope in Every Season of Life. “From the time we are knit together in our mother’s wombs until we take our final breaths, each moment of our lives is a gift from God. While every season of life brings its own challenges and trials, each season also gives us new opportunity to grow in our relationship with God. Today the gift of life is threatened in countless ways. Those who are most vulnerable, rather than receiving the protection they deserve, are all too often seen as a burden and as expendable. As new attacks on human life continue to emerge, we can be tempted to despair, but Christ instead offers us unfailing hope. For this reason, a women experiencing a difficult pregnancy, can find the strength to welcome her precious child into the world. A man facing a terminal diagnosis is only the beginning of eternal life with Christ.” These comments reflect many of the strong feelings I have in respecting life. Recently, a study published in September 1 in the issue of British Journal of Psychiatry, reported that about 827,000 women have an abortion in the U.S. every year. This is a staggering number of abortions. We see the world trend in countries such as Ireland and Australia legalizing abortion and shamelessly celebrating before their people. States in the U.S.A. are.Planned Parenthood is targeting minority communities and opening up new facilities and our Governor boasts to make Illinois the most progressive state in the union regarding abortions. But to respect life is to never give up. Our message is not one of hate but one of love and we’re not afraid to share it. As we celebrate and recognize the wonder of all life, especially the unborn, I’d like to thank the Pregnancy Resource Center for coming today and sharing their message and showing us that there is a lot of good in the world and a lot of good works that are being done. Amazingly, they do it without any government funding. They’re here in Joliet and I’m very, very proud to have them as a part of our community. Thank you for all you do at the Pregnancy Resource Center and I hope you will all remember to celebrate life, not just in October but every day. Remember, every heartbeat matters. Thank you.

Member Tuminello stated thank you. I’ve got a couple things just to bring forward. First of all, I want to inform the entire Board that on November 5 at 12:30 p.m. after Capital, we will be doing a Health Department tour as you know it’s coming along very nicely. I’d like to bring the entire Board out there, you’re all welcome. Same thing on November 12, we’ll be having another tour at 11:30 for the Animal Control. Last but not least, Executive Walsh, if you’re watching, to a man that I’ve respected for many decades working with him. I know we’ve been on opposite sides of a lot of the votes many times, but I’m telling you my friend, I’m pulling for you and I look forward to seeing you back here soon. Speaker Winfrey you did a very good job, but I’m really looking forward to the day we get Executive Walsh back sitting there.

Speaker Winfrey stated me too.

Member Ventura stated I wanted to thank the Plainfield students for their comments on the need to expand public transportation in the permanent routes. I have been an advocate for public transportation so please keep this in mind when we’re discussing a dedicated funding source for our roadways through the fuel tax that would allow us to move more RTA funds over. Also, the GM workers from Bolingbrook, as well as across the nation have come to a tentative agreement so this will protect 9,000 jobs as well as workers permanent status. However, today, the Chicago teachers went on strike so I’m wearing red to support them on reducing class size and more prep time so we can all look at that here even in our own district. District 86 had a rally at their own.teachers here in Joliet because they’re also having issues with their contracts. The gentleman that asked about marijuana still here? I have no issue going on record saying that I support the zoning of marijuana in Will County and the taxing of the three percent and the 3.75% in the unincorporated areas. I will be asking the Board to push towards that when that vote finally comes in front of us. Lastly, I wanted to make a statement about the babies born alive. That’s a political statement. It does not reflect the current laws that we have nor necessarily the people who did not stand today. I want to remind people that we have to follow Illinois law and federal law. We can’t just arbitrarily decide we’re going to ban something at the County. (Inaudible) and we did take an oath with those constitutions. Lastly, birth control over the counter or support the daycares and pre-k’s, family paternal and maternal leave are things that would really help push people towards wanting to support their families. I look forward to seeing everyone who stood today to work on our legislative committee to voice your issues on how we can make sure that we have birth control over the counter, make sure we’re funding our teachers, make sure we’re giving money to daycare and preferably having maternal and paternal leave so mothers and fathers can stay home with their kids and give them the best opportunity. Other than that I ask that these non-county board issues, the political issues that push only to divide us, that we stay focused on what can help our residents in the area. Thank you.

Member Traynere stated I would like to thank Member Ventura for her comments. Thank you very, very much. I also want to mention the GM workers, remind everyone that we have a food bank going. I want to thank Member Gould for his donation and Board Member Harris for his donation. We are still trying to help these workers. It is going to take them a very long time to recover from this strike. It was a nationwide strike. The (inaudible) employees that work in Bolingbrook were severely affected and certainly would continue to push all of you to assist all those folks with their lives, with their babies’ lives by donating in a large amount to our food pantry. Thank you.

Member Fritz stated thank you. Not only is it Respect Life month in October, obviously Breast Cancer Awareness. I think we’re all aware. It’s also Clergy Appreciation month so I would like to express appreciation for Pastor Brooks, our other clergy and the clergy that comes in here every month to help us recognize that we are reliant on a higher power. Thank you.

Member Koch stated everybody’s talking about October but November is a Combat Veteran affiliated with our Will County Veteran’s Assistance Commission. I want to take this time to formally invite everybody here today to the Will County Veteran’s Day Ceremony. It will be at 10:00 a.m. on November 11 at the Rialto Theatre so it will be inside this year which is a great change. It’s pretty brisk on November 11 usually. There will be a free reception following the ceremony at the Route 66 Joliet museum. There will be refreshments provided by Blue Taco, military displays, and community providers. I urge you all to please come out and celebrate the service and sacrifice of all veterans, living and deceased, at this event. I also want to mention there is an opportunity to volunteer as a greeter to greet veterans as they arrive and pass out stars for starsforourheros.org beginning at 9:00 a.m. You can contact the Will County United Way to sign up for that and this information will also be emailed out via staff. Thank you.

Member Cowan stated a couple of things. First of all since we had a great discussion about Pace and Metra, I wanted to point out that the Pace 2020 budget public hearing for Will County takes place on Monday, October 21 from 3:00 p to 5:00 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library so if you want to be part of that conversation, obviously there’s a lot more to be said there. Secondly, the second point I wanted to bring attention to and notice the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings who was a leader in the civil rights movement for many years and he died, I believe unexpectedly, overnight. Our thoughts and hopes are with his family and his congressional fellows. Thirdly, I would like to mention the status of abortion in Ireland was brought up and many people know I lived in Ireland for three years. One of my roommates was a doctor and he worked at a hospital. One of his colleagues was a women named Ms. Savita Halappanavar. In 2016, I believe, Ms. Savita Halappanavar suffered an incomplete miscarriage. It was as baby she wanted, it was a baby she hoped to have. She was not granted an abortion after an incomplete miscarriage. She was not granted an abortion because it was not legal. Ms. Savita Halappanavar then died owing to a septic miscarriage. The case of abortion is complex and to reduce it to simple terms is an egregious sin against life. While everyone is entitled to their own personal decision about whether or not to get an abortion, to bring it to a board that has nothing to do with whether or not we can legislate abortion, is a pure and simple political tactic. It’s reprehensible, and it’s deeply offensive to women and to their male allies. You are certainly entitled to express your opinion but the manner in which this was raised and the falsehoods that continue to be spread about this issue are again an affront to life and an affront to truth and an affront to democracy.

Member Kraulidis stated well I definitely would agree with Member Cowan that the case of abortion is complex but I think all too often we haven’t had an open and honest conversations and the lines get blurred and the truth gets blurred so with that I just want to say thank you to the folks that came up from the Pregnancy Resource Center. What I heard was a compassion in your voice and a determination to assist those people in our community that are truly looking for help. We throw around the term “choice” often and it usually pertains to one side of the equation one side of the argument. I want to thank you for being there for that choice decision that’s being made. Thank you for serving our community and our constituents. Thank you.

Member Balich stated first of all I want to thank Member Brooks. It took a lot of courage for him to stand up for life. When I hear the girls talking about this stuff as being political, we were talking about a baby that’s being born alive and being allowed to die or be killed.

Member Cowan stated I’m not a girl. And for the record, I’m a doctor.

Member Balich stated here’s the problem, what we were talking about is babies born alive. I don’t care who you are, you’ve got to realize it’s wrong to kill a baby that’s born alive. It’s not about abortion. It’s about killing a live human being. Member Brooks is a Democrat and I’m a Republican and we probably disagree on tons and tons of things but morally and ethically we agree it’s wrong to kill a live baby. It’s a live human being. Ask State’s Attorney Glasgow and he’ll say it’s breaking the law and it’s going on in the hospitals. It’s been going on since the early 2000’s that I know of and I find it appalling that it’s being called political. It’s about a live human being. It’s not a political issue.

Member Berkowicz stated as I stated in a previous meeting, the subject, it is no longer a social issue, not when the taxpayers are being forced to pay for it. So in correction, we are all entitled to our own choices, to our own determination of what is moral and what isn’t, but it is not fair to make everyone pay for something that they do not support and that’s what has happened with this. Is there an argument about that? I don’t know. I just know that the taxpayer is paying for this so I think that’s fairly accurate.

Member Ogalla stated I just wanted to clarify something that was said earlier. For everyone to understand that the motor fuel tax is a dedicated source. We do have funding. We have funding sources outside of the motor fuel tax that’s from the state and the RTA tax and we will be getting a bond payout over the next six years for funding our roads. Will County is not and I know our director of the department, Mr. Jeff Ronaldson, we do the very best that we can with all the money that is allocated to us, that is very important to us, the safety of our residents. Many of the roads you hear issues about are not a County road. You hear I-80 and I-55 and we have always supported anything to get additional funding for those. I know that Mr. Nick Palmer is out there fighting for grants and the Houbolt Bridge and everything like that so I don’t want everyone to be confused. There is a dedicated funding source and the only thing that I would like to add to that is that there comes a point in time when we need to look at our constituents and say when is enough, enough? Because how much can we tax? The residents can afford only so much. I know that senior citizens living in the mobile home communities in my district are limited on their money and their rents keep going up every year from the HOA and their rents for just having their home on the property. So they are limited in (inaudible) and they need to get to new locations that are outside of that. We need to consider what impact that our County passing an additional tax increase to them, how that will impact them. I think it’s detrimental to them. I think it’s a progressive tax and we really need to look at that and we should not say we need a dedicated funding source, we have a dedicated funding source. Thank you.

Member Rice stated I just want to comment on today’s request to stand in support of something or not in support of something. Me not standing or standing isn’t necessarily a reflection of my views on a very complicated and complex thing. I absolutely embrace life but I hope we don’t start the precedent of out of the blue asking board members to stand for something or not stand for something. I think we have a process here, it’s vote driven, it’s committee driven, and I feel particularly disrespected that I would be asked to take my views and either stand and look one way or sit and look another way. I think it’s complicated and if we’re going to come from the area of respect, dialog, communication, clarity and process if all part of this. I think this is the first time on the Board that I have felt clearly disrespected of what I was asked to do as a County Board member. I hope that together we can say, we have to come from a place of respect if we’re going to give respect. I hope this isn’t a precedence and I have every respect for every speaker that came out today, just not what I was asked to do.

Speaker Winfrey stated I have one announcement here. The Regional Education Office is moving between today and tomorrow. The new address will be 116 North Chicago Street, Suite 400. That’s in the Rialto Theatre Square building. Upstairs in that building, the Regional Office of Education is moving back downtown, not in this building, but downtown so it will be easy to access. I think we’ve heard from every County Board member just about today but we’ll have announcements.

XXIV. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, MINORITY LEADER AND COUNTY BOARD SPEAKER

Announcements by County Board Majority Leader, Mark Ferry

Member Ferry stated thank you Speaker Winfrey. Every time October would come around in the past, I used to think of Halloween and Oktoberfest. My focus has changed since my wife had a bout with breast cancer. The only thing I would say is her doctors are very good. Her doctor said, “You’re not a survivor until you pass away from something else.” Their philosophy is to stay vigilant, stay up on all of your testing and stay alive. That’s all I have to say. Thank you.

Announcements by County Board Minority Leader, Mike Fricilone

Member Fricilone stated I’ll be quick. First, there’s a fundraiser to replace a wheelchair lift for our disabled vets. It’s Saturday the 16th at Cantigny Post 367, Horseshoe Drive in Joliet. I think everybody is getting a copy of this (inaudible). I do want to thank all of those people that respect life. This month is National Italian American Heritage Month and Polish American Heritage Month. Since I am both, I’ll go home tonight and have a bowl of pasta fazool and get some gnocchis on the side. I, too, want to thank everybody who wore pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we mentioned earlier about National Energy Awareness Month. I do want to congratulate my partner, Member Balich, in becoming one of the first to use the County program to go solar on his own. We will now call him Solar Steve since Solar Sam has left. I know Member Ferry mentioned Halloween briefly. It’s a tough time at Halloween. It’s getting dark out, kids are all over the place, there’s a lot of good programs, Trunk or Treat programs, a lot of local churches, a lot of villages are running them now. So if you encourage families with young kids to get more candy than they can possibly eat in a month of Sundays, it’s a great event for them to go to and they’re all over. Just about every village has something going on like that. It’s a great way rather than them roaming around the streets on Halloween night. So, if you can encourage families to do that, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.

Announcements by County Board Speaker, Denise Winfrey

Speaker Winfrey stated I’ll just say that I’m especially moved in the month of October for breast cancer. I’m the daughter of a woman who died at 47 from breast cancer. I am also a person who has had two lumpectomies for breast cancer and still here. It’s especially meaningful to me so I encourage anyone, male and female, because men are also affected, to be consistent, conscientious, about having the necessary checkups and paying attention to any strange spots, lumps, whatever so that you can stay with us. Even if you don’t agree with me (inaudible), we want you to stay healthy. We do have a need for Executive Session today, there are quite a few items.

XXV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Assistant State's Attorney Tatroe stated the purpose for Executive Session is pending litigation, personnel and real estate negotiations.

Motion to go into Executive Session

RESULT: APPROVED [22 TO 0]

MOVER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)

SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 1 (R - Monee)

AYES: Ogalla, Koch, Moustis, Rice, Tyson, Harris, Traynere, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Balich, Fricilone, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Parker, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tuminello, Weigel, Ferry, Kraulidis

ABSENT: Summers, Dollinger

LEFT MEETING: Gould

AWAY: Marcum

XXVI. RECESS TO NOVEMBER 21, 2019

http://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=3631&Inline=True

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