Vote on Illinois Separation Question to Appear on March Primary Ballot

Effingham County Board members Monday voted to clarify that a vote asking for a Constitutional question on separating from Cook County should appear on the March 2020 primary election ballot.

The matter was revisited Monday after County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel, who is Chief Election Authority for the county, said he couldn't find whether the Board wanted the question to appear on the primary ballot or on the general election ballot in November 2020. A vote to put the question on the ballot was passed earlier this year.

There was some discussion that the matter should be on the general election ballot since more people would be likely to vote in that election, but there was also speculation that a lower turnout in the primary might benefit the question's likelihood of passage. Board member John Perry also suggested that having the question on the primary ballot might increase voter turnout in that election.

The Board Monday also delayed action on awarding a copier replacement bid to a special meeting on September 4 since the apparent low bidder said its bid was incorrect. There was discussion on rebidding the matter, but there was concern that the process might not get completed in time to get the replacement copiers in place before the current agreement expires.

Board members tabled a loan of recaptured grant monies to Two Guys Pallet. Economic Development Advisory Board Chairman Dave Campbell said some paperwork still needs to be completed before the agreement can be finalized.

The Board allocated $500 in hotel/motel tax funds to Poss Music for a program designed to get more young people involved in music. Organizers say schools would be visited by the Artist in Residence Program. A schedule will be finalized later.

Board members accepted financial statements for the fiscal year from West and Company; approved a $4,200 payment out of 708 Board funds after an attempt to allocate the funds earlier saw the check returned since the recipient has a new address; and approved payment of Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement for County employees since the move reportedly will save the County money.

The Board amended the County budget, creating four line items. Three are to designate where revenues would be placed; the fourth is to allocate where funds to pay a part-time web administrator would be placed. The Board also approved an affirmative action policy and allowed Bushue Human Resources to prepare an affirmative action plan to allow the County Health Department to seek grant funds; declared one parcel of property as delinquent for taxes; and allocated the Public Defender's salary as 90% of the State's Attorney's salary.

The Board amended the term of Dr. Tina Rozene on the County Board of Health, named Larry Doty as a Tri-County Fire Protection District trustee, and named Ron Will as a member of the county Ambulance Oversight Committee. The Board also approved $20,000 toward the cost of replacing a bridge on the Effingham-Shelby county line, concurred in the award of replacing a bridge in West Township for $177,699 along 400th Street, and concurred in the award of the Winterrowd Bridge replacement along County Highway 12, or 200th Avenue, just west of the Dieterich blacktop for $368,488.

County public transportation supervisor Phil Toops said ridership is up to just over 35,000 in the past fiscal year and will increase with Central Illinois Public Transportation taking over providing rides for Community Support Systems.

Hirtzel reported that candidates for the November 2020 election can start circulating petitions on September 3, with the filing period from November 25 to December 2. Board member Heather Mumma reported that Jasper County has joined Effingham County as a no-kill county, and that the county is operating a feral cat catch and release program since feral cats are needed to control the rodent population.