Tornado Update from Tazewell County

A special thanks to our County staff for putting this update together...

Tazewell County Tornado Update - December 10, 2013

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has opened at the FOLEPI Building, 2200 E. Washington, East Peoria.  The DRC will be available 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Everyone impacted by the tornado should register with FEMA. Call 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) or visit http://www.disasterassistance.gov to apply for disaster assistance. Monies received from FEMA are grants and are not something you need to pay back. FEMA will not put any sort of lien on your property and will not own your property.  You may be eligible for temporary rental assistance if you were displaced.

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I would also add the Illinois Department of Human Services has been authorized to offer special Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to residents in Tazewell County.  Applicants must bring proof of identity, proof of residence in a disaster area prior to the disaster, and any unreimbursed disaster expenses paid during the dates of 11/17/13 - 12/16/13.  For more information, residents can call their local IDHS office or visit the IDHS website at www.dhs.state.il.us. Applications will be taken at the Tazewell Family Community Resource Center at 200 S. 2nd Street, Suite 20, Pekin.    

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     Debris removal With assistance of their insurance companies, homeowners should make efforts to clear as much debris as possible. Please place dumpsters on your property (not on the street or public right-of-way) at least 10 feet away from the back of the curb and at least 10 feet away from fire hydrants. Keep debris out of the road as it can impact emergency response vehicles’ response time.

o   Large appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines. These must be sealed shut.

o   Electronics, including TVs and computers. These must be set on the curbside.

o   Hazardous materials. These must be set in a safe location, away from the road and not near a drain.

o   Vegetative debris must be clean. Tree limbs must be cut to six feet in length or less.

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        Volunteers are still needed. Residents in need of free clean-up assistance should contact 309-698-5001. If you are 18 years of age or older, call 309-698-5002 to volunteer. Groups may call 309-698-5003.  

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     Scams and Complaints should be reported to local law enforcement agency or the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at 847-417-4893 to report suspicious activity. Contractor complaint information is also available at http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/homerepair_construction.html. To file an insurance complaint, contact the Illinois Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Team at 866-445-5364 or https://insurance.illinois.gov/applications/ComplaintForms.

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     Voting Information. The Tazewell County Clerk's Office will be working with those residents which have been displaced by the recent tornado disaster to see their voting privileges will not be disenfranchised.

o   Voters will remain at the home address for voting, not a temporary address.

o   The Election Division will schedule times to meet with anyone interested to discuss voting locations after January 1^st (if you need a replacement card please call 309-477-2267).

o   Visit the http://www.tazewell.com/CountyClerk/CountyClerk&Recorder.html and link into the State Board of Elections for personal voting information.

o   Early voting will be conducted in Tazewell County with locations, dates and times to be determined.

o   If there is a current need to register, please come to our Office at 11 S. 4th St., Suite 203, Pekin, IL, any library, township building or Village/City Hall.

Attorney General Investigating Fundraising Scams in Washington...

Friends:

Please read the latest from the Attorney General's office regarding investigations into questionable fundraising efforts. 

For Immediate Release                                                         Media Contact: Maura Possley

November 22, 2013                                                               312-814-3118

mpossley@atg.state.il.us

MADIGAN WARNS OF SUSPECTED TORNADO RELIEF SCAM

Attorney General Urges Contributors to Research Charities Before Donating, Opens Investigation of Potential Charitable Scam Targeting Illinois Residents

Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced her office has opened an investigation into improper fundraising tied to relief efforts underway in Washington, Ill., and other downstate Illinois communities hit by Sunday’s tornadoes and severe storms. Madigan urged Illinois residents who want to donate to the recovery efforts to be cautious in their giving.

“Unfortunately, in the wake of such devastation, we almost always receive reports of questionable fundraising efforts that try to take advantage of people wanting to help,” Madigan said. “My office is investigating a complaint, and we will continue to monitor for improper fundraising efforts and possible scams connected to the disaster relief underway. I urge anyone who wants to donate to carefully research the organizations they intend to give to so they know their contribution will directly benefit the victims of Sunday’s storms.”

Madigan’s Charitable Trust Bureau received a complaint regarding Heroes Memorial Foundation, an unregistered, out-of-state entity raising funds for victims of the weekend storms. Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General’s office. Investigators from Madigan’s office also are assisting local authorities in Washington, Ill., to monitor for consumer scams related to recovery and rebuilding efforts.

To assist potential donors in making wise giving decisions, Madigan’s office provides important financial information about charitable organizations such as income, expenditures, and programs.

To best ensure that your donation will be used for its intended purpose, Attorney General Madigan suggested the following tips:

·         Ask how much of your donation will go to the charity and how much will be used to pay fundraising costs. Solicitors must give you this information if you ask.

·         Pay close attention to the name of the charity. Some fraudulent charities use names that sound or look like those of legitimate organizations to mislead you.

·         Ask detailed questions about the charity. Donate only when your questions have been answered and you are certain your money will be used according to your wishes. Ask questions like whether the charity is registered with the Illinois Attorney General’s office and what percentage of the money the charity takes in goes to fundraising, administration and charitable programming.

·         Do not pay in cash. For security and tax record purposes, pay by check. Be sure to write the full official name of the charity on your check—do not abbreviate.

·         Request written information. A legitimate charity will provide you with information outlining its mission, how your donation will be distributed, and proof that your contribution is tax deductible.

·         Do not donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for cash payment or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation. These are all hallmarks of a scam.

• If you receive an email or text message asking for a donation, confirm that the request is from the charity by contacting the charity or visiting its website.
• Do not assume that charity recommendations on Facebook, blogs, or other social media have already been vetted. 

Donors may also consider giving to a specific program or purpose within a charity – for example, disaster relief. If a website has a “donate” button, see whether you can designate a specific purpose for your donation. If you cannot, contact the charity to be sure your donation will be spent for the purposes you intend.

The Attorney General’s office also advised that donors should be wary of requests for clothing, food or other questionable in-kind donations. Unless the charitable organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid, the donations may be more of a burden than a help. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.

Madigan encouraged donors to report suspicious solicitations to her office’s Charitable Trust Bureau by calling (312) 814-2595. Madigan recommended that, whenever possible, keep notes detailing the date and time of the call, the organization’s name, and the name of the solicitor. She also suggested trying to remember the “pitch” as well as any other pertinent information. 

After nine months...

The Tazewell County Board met tonight, but not without spending time before and at the start of the meeting reflecting on the tragedy that struck our area this weekend.

Thank you to Chairman Zimmerman and County Engineer Anderson for sharing some updated information and personal experiences during the storm.  We learned 524 homes in Tazewell County were destroyed and 554 more were damaged.

During the meeting, the Board acted on, among other things:

1) Pushing back the effective date of the new Building and Property Maintenance Code to allow for further administrative steps to be taken, but to also allow for rebuilding efforts to begin in the County without trying to institute a new Code at the same time;

2) Approval on the contract for the ethernet/LAN connection of the County's Pekin and Tremont campuses; and

3) Approval of an appointment for Superintendent of Highways/County Engineer (due to the retirement of County Engineer Anderson).

The Board has now adjourned until January 2014.

My continued thoughts and prayers go out to those suffering, but also my renewed thanks to all of those who have volunteered time, money, or services in helping those in need.

REMINDER:

Please see my prior November blog for helpful tips on choosing a charity for donations, and determining how to select a contractor when rebuilding.

To all of the volunteer emergency personnel - please review the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act to review your employment rights while you are actively volunteering.

Prayers for Tazewell County

November 17, 2013, is a day none of us will ever forget. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered, and our heartfelt appreciation goes out to those helping the rescue and recovery efforts. 

Communities all over the area, state, and country have offered their support and asked for ways to help. This shows the good that can come from bad. 

Unfortunately, there are those less dedicated to recovery and focused more on financial gain. When choosing the right group for donation or in selecting a business to help in your rebuilding efforts, feel free to use this page as a resource throughout the rebuilding process. The following checklists have been  made available by the federal and state governments, with further information offered below. 

FOR CHOOSING WHERE TO DONATE 

The Illinois Attorney General's office advises:

1) Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in connection with current events such as natural disasters. 

2) Be especially careful online. Make sure the website you are visiting belongs to a legitimate, established and registered charity, and that the website and the charity match. See if other legitimate websites will link to that website. Also, make sure the site is secure. 

3) Check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, GuideStar and the Attorney General’s office. 

4) Be wary of urgent appeals that play on your emotions for aid. Do not donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for cash payment or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation.

5) Ask how much of your donation will go to the charitable work and how much will be used to pay fundraising costs. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization. 

6) Never send cash. You can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won’t have a record for tax purposes. And, don’t give out personal or financial information until you have reviewed all the information from the charity and verified its legitimacy. 

If you suspect a suspicious organization, call the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Bureau to report the solicitations at (312) 814-2595. 

FOR CHOOSING CONTRACTORS (per the Federal Emergency Management Agency) 

1) Ask contractors for proof of insurance. Be sure the contractor has both disability and workers' compensation insurance. If a contractor is uninsured, you may be liable for accidents on your property. 

2) Ask for a written estimate and check to make sure it includes everything you expect the contractor to do, as well as taxes and any other fees. Some contractors charge for an estimate, which is understandable because they are very busy after a disaster. 

3) Ask for a written contract and never sign a blank contract. The contract should include all tasks to be performed, all associated costs, payment schedule and who is responsible for applying for necessary permits and licenses. Also ask for a written guarantee. 

4) Legitimate contractors and other service providers normally do not require more than one-third as a down payment. Don't give anyone an advance payment in cash-pay by check-and make sure your payment schedule is clearly spelled out in your contract. 

The State of Illinois' Department of Professional Regulations actually licenses various professionals in Illinois (including roofers). You can find more information at www.idfpr.com. 

OTHER RESOURCES: 

http://www.illinois.gov/ready/after/Pages/Beware-of-Scams.aspx http://www.bbb.org/blog/2013/05/beware-of-after-storm-scams/ http://www.ag.state.il.us/pressroom/2009_05/20090515.html http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2003/10/11/beware-scams 

After seven months...

Earlier in September, I was fortunate to be a part of a meeting at the Minier Fire District where over 100 residents attended a "Town Hall" meeting to discuss potential upgrades to Stringtown Road between Hopedale and Stanford.  A special thank you to many folks would be in order, including Little Mackinaw Township and Road District officials, several of my fellow County Board members, County Highway officials, Representative Rich Brauer, Senator Bill Brady, and their staffs.  It is also important to thank everyone who spent the time to attend and ask questions.  The meeting concluded with a plan for residents to circulate a petition for Rep. Brauer and Sen. Brady to present to the Illinois Department of Transportation.  I am happy to report that on October 4, a teleconference has been tentatively set between the Representative, Senator, and IDOT to talk about this situation.  

The September 25, 2013, meeting of the Tazewell County Board began with a presentation from the Heart of Illinois United Way, including comments from two United Way agencies in Tazewell County - the Tazewell County Resource Center, and the Center for Prevention of Abuse. 

Four committees of the Board also met "in-place" in order for the full Board to act.  For example, the Property Committee met to approve the purchase of two pieces of real estate in Pekin, located at South 4th Street and another one on Elizabeth Street.  Both of these purchases were approved in-place and by the full Board.

Another item of interest pulled from the Consent Agenda related to the increase in Document Storage and Clerk Automation Fee for the Circuit Clerk.

I would like to thank Circuit Clerk Lincoln Hobson, various County Board members, and also the Mayors/Village Presidents and Police Chiefs of many municipalities in my District for taking the time to discuss this fee plan with me.  The Board voted to refer this plan back to the Finance Committee for more discussion.

After six months...

Tonight's Board meeting was another blend of full Board action and "In-Place" Committee meetings, which allowed the Board to accomplish all of the items on its agenda this evening.

The Board first heard from Circuit Clerk Lincoln Hobson, who provided an update on the transformations that office has seen since he was sworn in late last year.  Many modern changes have occurred, and I have witnessed them first hand when visiting that office during my "day job" as a lawyer.  Congratulations to Circuit Clerk Hobson and his tremendous team.

Following that report, the Board, among other things, approved:

* the auction of County surplus property on September 28, 2013

* a request to approve the filling of a position at the Regional Office of Education; and

* the appointment of Terry Hillegonds to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.

The Board also considered and passed an emergency declaration to waive the formal bidding process to allow the Tazewell County Health Department to obtain a high speed source for internet.  This connection was required by the State of Illinois to ensure the County received continued funding in various programs (such as the Women, Infants, and Children program, or "WIC"), which now utilize high speed applications.  The emergency was declared due to time constraints, and most importantly, without this technological upgrade, over 2,000 WIC families in Tazewell County would have their nutritional assistance affected on a monthly basis.  A special thank you goes to Amy Tippey, the Administrator of the Tazewell County Health Department, and her staff for answering our questions tonight and their dedication to making sure this need was met. 

After five months...

Both before and during the July Board meeting, the members heard about and discussed many issues influencing the residents of Tazewell County.

Prior to the meeting, Chairman Zimmerman held a press conference to discuss a new program developed by Tazewell County to help lower prescription drug costs for its residents.  The plan, through ProAct, Inc., is at no cost to you or the county.  It is designed for those who do not have insurance or if something is not covered by your current insurer, and all prescription medications are covered at a discounted rate.  

If you need a card, click here for more information. 

We also heard from Vice Chairman Neuhauser about the new "Heart of Illinois 2-1-1" service.  This partnership is between the Heart of Illinois United Way and Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois.

While 9-1-1 remains the number for emergencies, 2-1-1 connects callers to basic needs such as food and shelter, support groups, financial assistance, protective services, and home-delivered meals for seniors.  Should an emergency arise during the course of your 2-1-1 call, you can be transferred to the 9-1-1 call center immediately.

Should you want more information on this service to share with others, you can contact Gina Edwards of the United Way at 309-674-5181 or gina.edwards@unitedway.org.

During the meeting, the Board approved numerous contracts for road repairs throughout the County, and approved annual recycling grant payments to municipalities (including East Peoria and Washington).

Other items acted upon by the Board included the acceptance of the resignation of County Engineer John Anderson, effective December 31, 2013.  John has been a tremendous asset to the County (and me personally in my role as counsel for township road districts and as a County Board member).  We all wish him well during his last several months at the County and during his retirement.

The Board also voted to discontinue its members' participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.  I wanted to personally thank all of the Board members for a civilized and thorough debate at our June and July meetings, and also to the many constituents who went out of their way to share their concerns with me on this issue.

The latest schedule of meetings for August is available here.

After four months...

(This month's blog has a co-author: fellow Board Member Andrew Rinehart)

With summer officially here, the County Board began addressing some "hot" topics during its meeting of June 26th.  Specifically, the Board (among other things) looked at new precincts and discussed its continued participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund ("IMRF") pension system.

1) New Precincts for Morton and Washington

On the "Consent Agenda," the Board was asked to (and did) approve the addition of precincts to both Morton and Washington Townships.  The hope is that these new precincts best address the growing populations in each area, and in turn, can lead to shorter lines at your polling place(s) during elections.  We greatly appreciated the fact that the Township officials in those areas were advised of the proposed changes to make sure their input was received and considered. 

For your reference, here are the "before" and "after" maps for each area (if you are unable to view them on your computer, let me know, and I can email them to you):

Morton Township

Washington Township

2) Continued Participation in Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)

The Board also considered its continued participation in IMRF.  This is a pension system authorized by state statute for elected officials and employees of various units of government.  Presently, Tazewell County Board members have the right to participate in IMRF (although Andrew and I do not participate).  In light of the (understandably) heightened scrutiny placed on public pension systems, IMRF has begun a series of audits, and have asked government bodies to reassess their continued participation.  Essentially, the governing boards are being asked to: 1) vote to continue participation, but members be prepared to document their time and/or certify in a sworn statement that they work the requisite number of hours on official business per year (1,000 hours for Tazewell County); or 2) vote to discontinue participation.

After some spirited, yet respectful, debate at our meeting, the Board voted 11-10 to table this issue so further questions could be asked of the local IMRF representative.  Both Andrew and I were among the 10 members who were prepared to vote to discontinue participation. We feel that by voting to discontinue participation in the IMRF pension system, we could immediately put an end to the threat of an audit and any potential penalty that could arise for the County, individual board members and ultimately, the citizens of Tazewell County.  

Of course, we encourage you to let us and the other board members that represent you know how you feel about the IMRF pension system for the Tazewell County Board.

After three months...

May is quickly coming to a close, which brings about many festivals in Tazewell County!  The Washington Cherry Festival kicked off tonight and continues through this weekend, and the Tremont Turkey Festival quickly follows (June 7 through 9).  I will be attending both, and hope to visit with as many of you as possible.  Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention and thank all of the communities which hosted various Memorial Day tributes, parades, and ceremonies throughout the County this past weekend, too (rain or shine).  We owe so much to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation, and I hope all of you get a chance to attend at least one event every year.

 

The County Board met tonight, and we had several interesting topics for discussion.  For those who may not be familiar with our procedures, our committees can meet during full County Board meetings (called "in-place" meetings), and a lot of tonight's issues began in that setting.

For example, the Land Use Committee met "in-place" to make the recently-passed 9-1-1 Addressing Ordinance more practical for commercial and industrial properties with multiple entry/exit points.

I also wanted to thank the Special Waste Review Committee for having Chris Coulter of Peoria Disposal Company ("PDC") come to discuss various requests for use of the Indian Creek Landfill to house different types of non-hazardous materials.  While two "one-time" requests were approved, the Board voted against deliveries of a by-product created when an algae is generated for bio-fuel production.  For those who may not be aware, Section 32A of a Host Agreement entered into between the County and PDC requires Committee and Board approval of the management of non-hazardous waste at Indian Creek. 

Representatives of our County's "Economic Development Technical Committee" reported on its progress for developing an Economic Development Plan for Tazewell County.  This is in conjunction with our area's Focus Forward CI ("Central Illinois") group, and we look forward to the Committee's final report on areas of opportunity for our County.

It was also a pleasure to see Executive Resolution E-13-73 approved on tonight's consent agenda.  This resolution was passed in support of the Tazewell County Resource Center's participation in the Illinois Department of Transportation's Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program.  If successful, TCRC will be able to replace its aging para-transit vehicle and provide primary transportation for their resident program, allowing continued access for vocational, recreational and medical needs.  A special thank you to Chairman Zimmerman and Administrator Freilinger for taking my request to Executive Committee.

After two months...

April 2013 will be a month we remember for years to come...

The month began with both our first "meet and greet" in Mackinaw (April 6) and the Consolidated Election.  Both Andrew Rinehart and I would like to thank the many officials and citizens who came out to greet us on a beautiful Saturday morning, and we look forward to many more of these events throughout District 3 in 2013 and 2014.  On April 9, the voters went to the polls to select leaders of townships, municipalities, and school districts for the next four years.  Many Tazewell County residents threw their name into the ring as candidates.  While I congratulate those who were successful in their elections, I especially want to thank those who worked hard but fell short of their goal.  Speaking from personal experience, an election defeat is disappointing, but you should not be discouraged from running again and/or remaining active in the community through various social, service, or other organizations. 

As the month continued, our area saw record levels of flooding, and many residents suffered devastating losses.  Our prayers for them continue.  With the waters rising, communities banded together and filled sandbags, and offered resources to those in need.  During our County Board meeting on April 24, Chairman David Zimmerman thanked our area's first responders, and Vice Chairman Tim Neuhauser conveyed what we learned first hand - Tazewell County staff represented our County well during this crisis.  For example, our Health Department, Highway Department, and Emergency Management Agency (among others) worked tirelessly to coordinate with federal, state, and local officials from road closures/detours to ensuring financial resources for our citizens.  I also want to add my thanks for everyone who served all of us during this difficult time.

On April 24, the County Board also passed an ordinance related to posting addresses on properties in the rural, unincorporated areas of the County.  The Land Use Committee and staff consulted with both fire protection agencies and local road authorities to develop a unified plan for all properties to be sufficiently labeled, which will enable fire agencies to quickly identify properties needing assistance.  The Committee made sure the final version of the ordinance has a deferred enforcement period to give property owners time to understand what signage is required, and was drafted in a way which guarantees many properties are already in compliance or can be brought into compliance with minimal cost to the owner(s).

The Board also received word at its April meeting that Monsanto will be investing roughly $25 million in Tazewell County, including the addition of many new full-time jobs.  In February, the Board had voted to extend a plan in which certain tax incentives were provided to Monsanto.  As Chairman Zimmerman noted, County Administrator Michael Freilinger is to be congratulated for his hard work on this project.

In other news...

Governor Quinn announced $2.5 million of his six year infrastructure program will be provided for further engineering and corridor studies on the Eastern Bypass...and

The Illinois House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 961, which will authorize the use of "direct deposits" of the Local Government Distributive Fund ("LGDF").  In essence, Counties and municipalities (who receive the LGDF from the state in lieu of having their own income tax) suffer delays because the state deposits state income tax funds into the state's General Revenue Fund, and then to LGDF for disbursement.  Under H.B. 961, the state must immediately deposit the funds into LGDF.  The Bill is currently pending in the Illinois Senate.

After one month...

I cannot believe it has been one month since I took the oath of office to serve on the County Board.  I would like to thank all of the County Staff and Board members for the nice, welcoming words, and the help they have given me already. Everyone is a true professional, and takes their work very seriously.  I am blessed to be a part of this team.

Since joining the Board, I have been very active in my various committee assignments and learning as much as I can about all of my new responsibilities.  Between committees and full Board meetings, I have done my best to make decisions that I feel are in the best interests of my constituents.

I am also happy to announce my good friend Andrew Rinehart and I have made a renewed commitment to (re)introduce ourselves to our constituents.  That is why we are starting up a series of "meet and greets" (as we did during the 2012 campaign).  We have asked our fellow District 3 Board members along with state and county-wide officials to join us for our first event in Mackinaw on Saturday, April 6, 2013, and we already have commitments from various officials.  The event will be at the Family Restaurant located at 100 Orchard from 9-11am.  All of these meet and greets will be informal - there will be no speeches - just breakfast, coffee, and a chance for you to talk about your issues and concerns (or give us a chance to introduce ourselves to you).

We hope to have these throughout the District in 2013 and 2014, so if you cannot make it to Mackinaw, we will do our best to stop near you.  Let us know of any great locations you feel we should visit.