The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
Hancock County residents will have a chance to weigh in on how the county should proceed with court action against the proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that could run the county.
A public hearing was set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, following the regular August county board meeting.
The county has joined a group of other Illinois counties objecting to the pipeline. At the regular county board meeting July 18, State’s Attorney Bobbi James reported that the county has already spent $34,000 in shared litigation costs. She estimated another $5,000 would be needed this year for action that will occur in the fall.
“We are kind of backed into a corner here,” said Wayne Bollin, chairman of the county finance committee. “We have to spend taxpayer money to defend our land owners. Whether we like it or not here we are being forced to do something. We need to ask tax payers what they want us to do. It is a lot of money.”
President of the board, Mark Menn, noted that a hearing was held in March, at which time Navigator, the pipeline company, as well as the individuals opposed to the pipeline, were allowed to share information with the board.
“I think at this time we should give the residents of Hancock County a chance to voice their concerns about moving forward with litigation and the use of the tax payers money to do so,” Menn said.
The hearing will be held in the large court room following the regular county board meeting Aug. 22.
The board passed a resolution that acknowledged the efforts Ameren of Illinois and the Western Illinois Electrical Cooperative, their local employees, and all outside agencies who traveled all around the county working to restore electricity after the derecho storm on June 29. The board issued a disaster declaration based on the storm.
The board recognized Wisehart Trucking for their help in bringing two ambulances purchased in California back to the county.
“We got quotes from trucking facilities out in California, and it would have cost $10,000,” Menn said.
“Mr. Wisehart offered to do it for $6,000 and give $3,000 back to the county. The county owes him a great deal of gratitude for his service. It is people like Rob that make this county a special place to live.”
The new ambulances arrived June 30, and are in the process of getting Hancock County lettering and being fitted with equipment out of older ambulances.
Four residents were at the meeting, expressing concern about a property in Tioga. Jonathan Coulter described the property that was purchased by Clear Vision LLC in California at a tax sale. An individual is living on the property without permission and refuses to leave.
The building on the property has been damaged by fire. There is no electricity or plumbing, and Coulter said it is a health concern because of rats and human feces. A certified letter was sent to the owner by Ed Weisinger, describing the situation, with no response. They have tried other avenues, and asked the county for help.
State’s Attorney James said she would contact Amy Hall, director of the Hancock County Health Department, to see what can be done, based on it being a health hazard.
Also present from the area were Alicia Coulter, Weisinger and William Ogle.
County Clerk Holly Wilde-Tillman described a service she is planning to use that could upload all election records since 2006 to the present (when the electronic voting machines began to be used).
This service would make election records searchable to the public, it would alleviate searches needing to be done by county clerk officials, and would satisfy most FOIA requests.
Tillman-Wilde said she has money for the service in her budget and does not need board approval, but she wanted them to know what she is doing and asked the board for a recommendation.
She can have records from 2018 to the present uploaded for $4,200 or all records from 2006 to the present uploaded for $6,909. The board agreed all records since 2006 should be stored with this service.
There will be a $2,500 annual fee to maintain the system and add future election results.
The board approved issuing bid specifications for county insurance, using the current coverage as a basis.
Patsy Davis was approved as the county board representative to the WIRC board.