The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Henderson County Sheriff Donald Seitz, before he retired, said he was pleased to announce that through hard work and dedication, Henderson County has received reimbursement monies from the State of Illinois for housing Department of Correction (IDOC) sentenced detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Matthew Link, as my Chief Deputy, had first contacted IDOC in 12020 when the State of Illinois stopped accepting sentenced persons and requested the county be reimbursed for the epenses the county was incurring for the State's responsibility.
When the State stopped accepting their detainees this created a burden not only on our county but every county in the state. Local tax payers were left with the burden to house and pay for medical needs that were supposed to be taken care of by the state.
Deputy Link began sending bills to the State of Illinois for the detainees' medical costs and daily housing expenses. At first it seemed the State had no intentions on reimbursing the county.
In 2021 the State allocated $25million to IDOC to start reimbursement to counties for daily housing (not including medical costs). Even though this money was allocated it was not a sure thing to the counties to receive money. Deputy Link spent many hours on the telephone and filing tedious paperwork with the State.
Through Deputy Link's hard work and dedication Henderson County received a check from IDOC in the amount of $11,121.00, for the first payment. Once the State receives other counties paperwork and requests the State will send a second payment to Henderson County for over $18,000. The State will continue to disperse the $25million until it is exhausted.
We are hopeful the State will also use this fund to cover the detainees' medical costs as well, if so, Henderson County would receive another payment.
Stay Safe,
Deputy Matthew J. Link