McDonough County Board met Feb. 18

McDonough County Board met Feb. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The monthly meeting of the McDonough County Board was held at the McDonough County Courthouse, in  Courtroom 201 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call resulted in 16 present, and 5 absent. Members Travis Hiel, Roger Ward,  Dave Cortelyou, Vicky Kipling, and Jack Lowderman were absent. Sheriff Nick Petitgout made the opening declaration. Chair Blakeley led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

EXHIBIT 1 

Board Member Chapman moved with a second by Board Member Litchfield to approve the minutes of  January, 2026. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

EXHIBIT 2 

The report from Public Defender, Scott Terry for the month of January, 2026 was received and filed.  

EXHIBIT 3 

The report of Sales Tax collected in November, 2025 was received and filed. County Sales Tax, Public Safety Tax, Cannabis Tax, and Transportation Tax. 

EXHIBIT 4 

The report of Balances and Investments from County Treasurer Moon for the month of January, 2026 was  received and filed.  

EXHIBIT 5 

The report of Circuit Clerk Fischer for the month of January, 2026 was received and filed. 

EXHIBIT 6 

The report from County Clerk Benson on Warrants Issued in Vacation for the month of January, 2026 was  received and filed. 

EXHIBIT 7 

The Transfer of Appropriations of Monies was referred to the Finance Committee. Vice Chair Larry Aurelio reported the Finance Committee did not transfer any funds as Exhibit 7A 

EXHIBIT 8 

Board Member Foster moved with a second by Board Member Chapman to approve the report of the Finance  Committee as read. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 16 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass, and 5 absent as Exhibit 8A.

EXHIBIT 9 

Board Member Chapman moved with a second by Board Member Aurelio to dispense with the reading of the  claims report and to approve it as approved by the Claims Committee. Motion carried with a roll call vote of  15 yeas, 0 nays, 1 pass, and 5 absent as Exhibit 9A. 

EXHIBIT 10 

Board Member Aurelio moved with a second by Board Member Foster to approve placement of an Abraham  Lincoln concrete statue on courthouse grounds. Motion carried with a voice vote as Exhibit 10A. 

EXHIBIT 11 

Agenda item 11 will be sent back to the Road and Bridge committee due to new information. No motion was  made. 

EXHIBIT 12 

Board Member Cox moved with a second by Member Raby to approve the request for proposal for financial  management software upgrade. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 16 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass, and 5 absent as  Exhibit 12A. 

EXHIBIT 13 

Board Member Durkin moved with a second by Board Member Aurelio to approve change to county board  procedure for use of consent agenda. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 15 yeas, 1 nays, 0 pass, and 5 absent as Exhibit 13A. 

EXHIBIT 14 

Chad Sperry, the GIS coordinator at WIU came and spoke about the different resources GIS offers. One of the  aspects he discussed is the use of GIS support with local Sheriff Departments. Drone technology is used to  assist in investigations and creating customized maps for deputies in training. GIS also contributes to  annexation processes and property boundaries. Aerial imagery is also scheduled to be updated within the next  month. This will improve mapping accuracy.  

EXHIBIT 15 

None. 

EXHIBIT 16 

Sheriff Nick Petitgout thanked Chad Sperry for coming. Nick also spoke highly on the GIS and how much his  department uses this system.  

EXHIBIT 17 

Joe Erlandson spoke about the new wind and solar ordinances that will have to be reworked due to new State  compliances. Ken Durkin will be helping update those. 

EXHIBIT 18 

Chair Blakeley entertained a motion that Days and Miles are checked, roll be called, and the Board adjourn until Wednesday, March 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Board Member Aurelio moved with a second by Board Member Foster to adjourn the meeting. A roll call was taken for days and miles and the motion to adjourn carried with  a voice vote. With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Sheriff Petitgout gave the closing declaration.

http://mcg.mcdonough.il.us/documents/2026%20Minutes/2026-02-18%20Board.pdf