West Central Reporter

McDonough County Board Law & Legal Committee met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Law & Legal Committee held its monthly meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the McDonough County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, Law Library. Committee Members present included Committee Chair Joe Erlandson, Vice Chair Ken Durkin, Clayton Cook, Travis Hiel, Ryan Litchfield, Jack Lowderman, and Terry Thompson. Member Terra Litchfield was absent. Other persons in attendance were Deborah Cousins, Sheriff Nick Petitgout, County Chair Eric Blakeley, County Board Secretary Sara Kluthe, and County Clerk Jeremy Benson.

Chair Erlandson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Review & Approve April 7, 2025 Minutes

Member Durkin moved with a second by Member Hiel to approve the minutes with one correction. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Waste Management Update

Report received and filed.

Tri-County Recycling

Report received and filed.

Veteran’s Assistance and Van Report

Report received and filed. 11 Veterans were given assistance in April. Total assistance amounted to $2,311.93.

Sheriff’s Report

Sheriff Nick Petitgout gave the report. Several inmates that have been here for quite some time, have left for DOC. A discussion was held regarding work on the Courthouse, there has been a lot of progress in the last week.

Assessor’s Office Update

Assessor Deborah Cousins gave the report. She is waiting on Township assessors to turn in their books, they are due June 15th. Cousins informed the Committee that the Farmland Assessment Review Committee will be meeting on June 2nd.

Approve BESS Ordinance

Member Durkin moved with a second by Member Hiel to approve the BESS Ordinance. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Discuss and Approve Burning Ordinance

Sheriff Petitgout stated that the Ordinance looks good to him. They discussed where the proceeds should go, Petitgout suggested that they go to the General County account. Chair Blakeley recommended it go to the County Fire Association.

Member Cook moved with a second by Member Thompson to approve the Burning Ordinance. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Claims Review and Approval

Member Durkin moved with a second by Member Cook to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Other Items as Needed

Chair Erlandson discussed an email that was sent to him, and Member Durkin. It was regarding the process and rules on dividing tracts of land. County Clerk Benson explained the subdivision code and what steps are required to divide a tract of land. Benson will respond to the email.

Chair Erlandson held a discussion regarding the wind turbine that had caught on fire. County Chair Blakeley said the new ones are more advanced, they have heat sensors, and fire suppression. Member Cook has been in contact with RWE and is supposed to have a meeting with them tomorrow.

County Clerk Benson informed the Committee that approval was granted to use the grant money to pay Klingner for the generator study.

Executive Session

None.

Public Comment

None.

County Board Chair Comments

County Chair Blakeley informed the Committee that they closer to getting a part-time engineer at the Highway Department. They have someone who will help through the end of the year. He has received a second sewer quote, and there has been a lot of progress at the Courthouse, hopefully they will be done by the end of the month.

Adjourn

Member Hiel moved with a second by Member R. Litchfield to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Motion carried on a voice vote.

http://mcg.mcdonough.il.us/minutes.shtml