April Board Meeting Report

The Tazewell County Board convened for its monthly meeting on April 27.  

The meeting began with a report from Judge Paul Gilfillan regarding the efforts of our county courts administration team to obtain certification from the Illinois Supreme Court to have a Mental Health Court.  Judge Gilfillan discussed the goal of such a Court - identify low level, non-violent offenders whose illness is driving their crimes, provide oversight and treatment to reduce future offenses, and help them return to society.  This is a similar goal to the County's Drug Court, which is already in operation. The Board learned that there will be no financial request for the Court as it will remain solvent from the offenders' private health insurance, fees, and other coverage.  I would like to thank Judge Gilfillan and our entire courts team for their work on both Courts.

After the presentation, the Board turned to its main agenda, deliberating and voting to:

* Approve the installation of a standby generator at the Health Department;

* Approve the restructuring and organization of the County Board's Administrative Office, including the creation of the office of Finance Director and removing certain functions from the office of the Auditor.  While several of us were concerned about the timing and added costs, I do wish to thank my fellow board members and others who participated in a very civilized debate; and

*  Approve a proposal from the Recodification Committee to enter into a contract with American Legal Publishing, that will work with the Committee on a formal, legal review of the Tazewell County Code, which will lead to the publication of the entire Code online in a searchable format.  I would like to personally thank County Clerk Webb for coordinating numerous presentations from vendors who offer these services and all of our Committee members who thoroughly deliberated and made its recommendation.