The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Micah Stewart, J-P Correspondent
Kathrine Phillips, of Warsaw, was appointed to the Hancock County Board to fill the vacant District 3 seat, after Bryan Stevens did not run again and no candidate filed for the seat. This appointment returns the board to a full 15 members.
The appointment came after board chairman Delbert Kreps was notified by state's attorney, Rachel Mast, that a candidate for the vacancy in the District 3 seat could not be appointed by the board until 60 days after the party last holding the seat had a chance to find a candidate.
The county board sent a letter to the Democratic Party Chairman, Kim Weaver, notifying him of the 60-day period to fill the vacancy. After that notification, Weaver identified Phillips for the position.
The highway, road and bridge committee presented the report from the January meeting. As part of the consent agenda, the board approved the following:
- Federal Surface Transportation (Rural) Program Funds and Illinois State Matching Funds for the Denver-Plymouth road, Connable road, Adrian-Fountain Green road;
- Purchase of a 2021 F-150 four-wheel drive pickup from Carson Ford for the amount of $28,695;
- Approval to sell a used 2010 Ford F-150 four-wheel drive pickup at a consignment auction through Sullivan Auctioneering.
The finance, fees and salaries committee chairman, Wayne Bollin, reported on a meeting with Hancock County transportation representatives, Lori Sutton and Peter Hammen, about the inner agency agreement between Macomb and Hancock County. Hammen is the new Public Transportation Director.
It was determined that the ambulance building used in Hamilton does not have renter's insurance, and is not listed on the policy. This will need to be added.
Holly Wilde-Tillman received word of getting $29,988 from a security grant to have the election office updated. They intend to have two new registration stations installed prior to the next election. The work must be done prior to April in order to be reimbursed through the grant.
Tom Rogers updated the board on execution and amendment of the Downstate Operating Assistance Grant. He said Belynda Allen is amending the budget to reflect the amounts available.
"They originally said the money could only be used in the future, but now we can go back to March for expenses that qualify," Rogers said.
The board was updated on the ongoing contract negotiations with the EMS.
The building, grounds and insurance committee chairman, Dennis Castlebury, reported that Scott Bentzinger, county sheriff, has 4 inmates, including one female. There are several inmates that will be transferred to the Department of Corrections once they are ready to accept them.
Bentzinger and Mast updated the board on state legislation to overhaul the law enforcement statutes. The proposed legislation was passed in the lame duck session of the state legislature, but has not yet been signed into law by governor Pritzker.
"We are not opposed to anything that makes us better," explained Bentzinger, "but just because some of these things work in Chicago doesn't necessarily mean that it will work down here."
There is significant concerns with requirements of cameras and other enforcement changes.
"The problem is that on a conference call with all of the state's attorneys, all 102 of us, there were only two in favor of this legislation," said Mast. "The two counties in favor were Lake and Cook counties. Every other single county said no, but they didn't listen to us."
The miscellaneous and county health committee chairman, Pat Cramer, reported that Maureen Crawford informed them that COVID-19 vaccinations are about complete with Phase 1A individuals. Approximately 280 of the 300 doses have been used. Phase 1B will be starting soon, which includes anyone over 65 and front-line workers. They expect it will require around 4,000 to cover everyone. Once the vaccine arrives, they expect that it will take around two months to complete.
Jenny Meeks, EMS director, reported on the ambulance runs last year. She said that they did 77 percent of all runs.
The board discussed recent news of Montebello Manor closing. There are reportedly over 60 jobs that will be lost if Montebello Manor closes. If it closes, the Montebello Township polling place will need to be relocated.
"I don't think that there is anything we can do about it at this point," said Mark Menn. "They are a Medicare facility and like any business, if you aren't making money it is hard to make it."
Hancock County Clerk Holly Wilde-Tillman (left) swears in new county board member Kathrine Phillips of Warsaw who was appointed to fill Bryan Stevens, District 3 seat.