Lake County Legislative Committee met Feb. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Wasik called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Member Sbarra led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call of Members
Present 6 - Vice Chair Casbon, Member Frank, Member Hunter, Member Roberts, Member Sbarra and Chair Wasik
Absent 1 - Member Kyle
*Electronic Attendance: All Members
Others Present:
Abby Scalf, Communications
Ann Maine, Board Member
Brenda OConnell, Planning, Building and Development
Carl Kirar, Facilities and Construction
Cassandra Hiller, County Administrator's Office
Derek Blaida, Strategic Advocacy Group
Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development
Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office
James Hawkins, County Administrator's Office
Janna Philipp, County Administrator's Office
Justine Gilbert, Communications
Kristy Cechini, County Board Office
Larry Mackey, Health Department
Mary Ross Cunningham, Board Member
Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office
Melanie Nelson, State's Attorney's Office
Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group
Pamela Jeffries, Planning, Building and Development
Sandy Hart, Board Member
Shane Schneider, Division of Transportation
Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office
4. Addenda to the Agenda
There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.
5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda)
There were no public comments.
6. Chair's Remarks
Chair Wasik thanked the Committee for their help during the joint Lake County and Lake County Municipal League (LCML) Legislative Events on January 14 and 21. Chair Wasik also thanked the delegation from general assembly, as well as Mandi Florip, LCML Executive Director, and Mayor Marturano, LCML President.
7. Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business to discuss.
8. New Business
CONSENT AGENDA (Item 8.1)
*APPROVAL OF MINUTES*
8.1 22-0156
Meeting Minutes from October 5, 2021.
A motion was made by Member Hunter, seconded by Vice Chair Casbon, that the minutes from October 5, 2021 be approved. The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Aye: 5 - Vice Chair Casbon, Member Hunter, Member Roberts, Member Sbarra and Chair Wasik
Absent: 1 - Member Kyle
Not Present: 1 - Member Frank
REGULAR AGENDA
8.2 22-0157
Update and discussion on the state of Illinois 2022 Spring Legislative Session.
Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, introduced Mr. Mike Grady and Mr. Derek Blaida of Strategic Advocacy Group. Mr. Blaida gave a brief summary of the 2022 state legislative session thus far, noting that April 8 is the target adjournment date and that legislators are hesitant to move deadlines at this point. Mr. Blaida also mentioned that Governor Pritzker will be giving his Fiscal Year 2023 budget address tomorrow.
Discussion ensued.
8.3 22-0158
Committee Discussion on active legislation and bills of interest.
Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, noted that he previously emailed a list of bills to the Committee for this afternoon's discussion.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers introduced the first two bills for discussion: SB 3795/HB 4772, the Design-Build Authorization Act, and SB 3040/HB 4356 the Carpet Stewardship Act, noting that both issues are on the County's legislative agenda. Mr. Derek Blaida, Strategic Advocacy Group, noted that both bills remain in assignment at this time.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers introduced SB 3073 and HB 4358 and explained that those bills would require the removal of coal ash ponds from a coal plant in Waukegan that will cease operation. Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained that the preferred option is to remove the toxic sediments instead of leaving them in place and capping them. Discussion ensued regarding this bill. There was consensus from the Committee to take a position supporting legislation to remove the coal ash ponds by filing a witness slip. The Committee also indicated that they would like to know where the coal ash will be going.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained that HB 5061 is an Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) priority that would amend the Counties Code and allow counties to establish goals to promote minority-owned and operated businesses, women-owned and operated businesses, businesses owned and operated by persons with disabilities, and businesses located within the county. Discussion ensued. The majority of the Committee was in favor of the legislation, but there was not a consensus. Assistant County Administrator Meyers will continue to work with ISACo and bring any information regarding this bill back to the Committee.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers introduced Eric Waggoner, Director of Planning Building and Development, and Brenda O'Connell, Continuum of Care Coordinator, to explain HB 2775, the Homelessness Prevention Bill. Ms. O'Connell explained that the bill addresses source of income discretion and would make it illegal to discriminate against those who receive a subsidy for their rent. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Committee was to support this bill.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers noted that House Amendment 2 of SB 1751 would add "verified breeders" as a source of dogs and cats sold by pet shops, as opposed to sourcing dogs and cats solely from shelters and rescues. Assistant County Administrator Meyers introduced Larry Mackey, Director of Environmental Health, who noted that the Illinois Animal Control Association does not yet have a position on this bill amendment. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Committee was to oppose the amendment.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained that SB 2912 would amend the Counties Code to allow a superintendent of a department of public works to have at least 10 years of professional, management level experience in either a municipal or county public works department, rather than requiring that the superintendent be a registered professional engineer. Discussion ensued.
9. County Administrator's Report
There was no County Administrator's Report.
10. Executive Session
The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.
11. Members' Remarks
Further Committee discussion ensued about SB 2912.
Chair Wasik thanked everyone for their input and discussion at today's meeting.
12. Adjournment
Chair Wasik declared the meeting adjourned at 2:01 p.m.
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