County Board Votes to Support Constitutional Amendments Initiative

(COUNTY TELECOMMUNICATORS BILLIE BALES AND CHERYL VONDERHEIDE POSE WITH THE PLAQUES THEY RECEIVED MONDAY)

More than 35 years ago, a state Constitutional amendment passed in Illinois that eliminated the multi-legislator representative districts that had been created in the 1970 Illinois Constitution. 

Former governor Pat Quinn was one of the most vocal supporters of the measure, saying it would cut costs.

Now, there is support to return to the multi-legislator districts. The change comes with a recommendation that three legislators would be elected from each district, with no more than two of those allowed to be from the same party.

Supporters of the initiative say the single-legislator districts "ignore the opinions of regional minority groups, one party domination, and a lack of opposition.

County Board Chairman Jim Niemann said signatures are needed on petitions equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election. That means 363,813 signatures. If those signatures are collected, and the measure gets on the statewide ballot in 2020, a 60% favorable vote would be enough to approve the change.

The Board Monday also delayed action on an ordinance authorizing the establishment of a county cannabis retailers' occupation tax. The County would collect revenue generated by the tax.

So far, though, the only marijuana sales location approved by the State will be located in the city of Effingham. The City Council is yet to vote on the issue and, if they don't enact the tax, there won't be any revenue for the County to collect. The Board decided to hold a special meeting on September 25 in connection with a budget planning meeting in hopes the City will have reached a decision and the County will know how to proceed.

(EFFINGHAM FIRE CHIEF BOB TUTKO WAS ON HAND TO PRESENT PLAQUES TO COUNTY EMERGENCY CREWS FOR THEIR HELP IN A MULTI-FATALITY CRASH NEAR ALTAMONT IN JULY)

The Board approved another Christmas decoration on the Courthouse lawn downtown; witnessed Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko recognizing the work of Telecommunicators Billie Bales and Cheryl Vonderheide as well as Coroner Kim Rhodes and Deputy Coroners Larry Thies and Karen Hoene at the scene of a multi-vehicle fatality crash on I-70 in July; and approved various insurance coverages. One is general health care coverage with a premium increase of less than nine percent, another is a health insurance incentive for qualifying employees, and a third involves accepting dental/vision/life insurance renewal rates that is paid for by county employees who take the coverage.

The Board awarded audit work for the next three years to West and Company for $44,000 for the coming year, $45,100 for the second year, and $46,200 for the third year; and voted to contribute $2,500 from economic development funds in support of Manufacturing Day 2019. Board members named Larry Taylor, Ed Hoopingarner and Todd Hull to new terms on the Economic Development Advisory Board, and named Jim Westendorf to the St. Francis Township Drainage District Board.

Board Vice-Chairman Dave Campbell reported the County has about $25,000 available to loan to new or expanding businesses in the county. To apply, phone the County Board office at 342-4990.