Lake County Legislative Committee met April 4.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Wasik called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Member Schlick led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call of Members
Present 7 - Member Altenberg, Member Campos, Member Hunter, Member Knizhnik, Vice Chair Roberts, Member Schlick and Chair Wasik
*Electronic Attendance: Member Campos and Vice Chair Roberts Other Attendees:
In Person:
Bailey Wyatt, Communications
Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office
Justine Gilbert, Communications
Kevin Quinn, Communications
Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office
Sandy Hart, County Board Chair
Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office
Electronically:
Cassandra Hiller, County Administrator's Office
Derek Blaida, Strategic Advocacy Group
Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development
Frank D'Andrea, Finance
Jim Chamernik, Sheriff's Office
James Hawkins, County Administrator's Office
Janna Philipp, County Administrator's Office
Kristy Cechini, County Board Office
Mary Mathews, Public
Michael Wheeler, Finance
Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group
Patrice Sutton, Finance
Robert Springer, Planning, Building and Development
Sonia Hernandez, County Administrator's Office
4. Addenda to the Agenda
There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.
5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda)
There were no comments from the public.
6. Chair's Remarks
Chair Wasik noted that he received a call from Representative Schneider stating that the Representative would support the Sheridan Crossing and Wildwood Water Main projects in pursuit of potential Community Project Funding.
Chair Wasik also noted that he and County staff have upcoming meetings scheduled with Representative Schneider and Representative Edly-Allen to discuss County legislative priorities.
7. Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business to discuss.
8. New Business
CONSENT AGENDA (Item 8.1)
*MINUTES*
8.1 23-0500
Committee action approving the Legislative Committee minutes from March 7, 2023.
A motion was made by Member Altenberg, seconded by Member Schlick, that these minutes be approved. The motion carried by the following voice vote:
Aye: 7 - Member Altenberg, Member Campos, Member Hunter, Member Knizhnik, Vice Chair Roberts, Member Schlick and Chair Wasik
REGULAR AGENDA
8.2 23-0504
Update and discussion on the state of Illinois 2023 Spring Legislative Session. Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group, provided an update on the state of Illinois 2023 spring legislative session.
Mr. Grady's update was interrupted by a power surge that caused technological issues in the Assembly Room. Therefore, the Committee moved on to agenda item 8.4, until the internet connection was re-established.
8.4 23-0506
Discussion regarding policy resolutions for the upcoming 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference.
Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, briefly explained the process for drafting and submitting policy resolutions to the National Association of Counties (NACo). Assistant County Administrator Meyers reviewed the two previous resolutions submitted by the County to NACo, which include: advocacy for justice reform deflection initiatives and advocacy for acquiring federal funding when a disaster is declared that crosses the state border.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers gave a brief description of a new potential policy resolution related to securing additional Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding. Assistant County Administrator Meyers requested feedback from the Committee regarding the three recommended policy resolutions.
Discussion ensued.
The consensus of the Committee was to direct staff to draft the three aforementioned policy resolutions for consideration at the next Legislative Committee meeting.
Once the technological issues in the Assembly Room had been resolved, the Committee moved back to agenda item 8.2.
23-0504
Update and discussion on the state of Illinois 2023 Spring Legislative Session. Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group, resumed providing an update on the state of Illinois 2023 spring legislative session. Mr. Grady noted that the County's primary initiatives, the public works bill and the building regulation bill, both passed unanimously through chambers.
Discussion ensued.
8.3 23-0505
Committee discussion on active legislation and bills of interest.
Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, gave a brief update regarding the following bills of interest:
HB 1613/SB1997 (Building Regulation - Environmental Infrastructure Bill).
HB 1067 (Superintendent of Public Works Bill).
HB 0995 (Higher Education - Election Judge Credit Bill).
SB 0133 (Public Construction Bonds Bill). Mike Grady, Strategic Advocacy Group, provided additional information about the bill.
SB 0040 (Electric Vehicle Charging Act).
SB 1984 (Carpet Stewardship Act Bill). Mr. Grady provided additional information about the bill.
Discussion ensued.
SB 1555/HB 2874 (Packaging and Paper Stewardship Bill). Mr. Grady provided additional information about the bill. Discussion ensued.
SB 2368 (Building and Residential Codes Bill). Bob Springer, Deputy Director and Building Official, provided additional information about the bill. Discussion ensued. Assistant County Administrator Meyers asked the Committee for feedback regarding the bill. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Committee was that staff should continue to monitor the bill.
SB 1463 (Minors - No Fees or Fines). Vice Chair Roberts provided additional information about the bill. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Committee was to monitor and support this bill. Assistant County Administrator Meyers noted that he will work with the State's Attorney's Office and the Courts to provide further updates on this bill.
Chair Wasik requested an update regarding HB 1608 (EPA Great Lakes - CCR Protection Bill). Mr. Grady provided information about the bill, noting that it did not pass through the House. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Committee was to continue to support this bill and that staff provide future updates regarding this bill.
Sandy Hart, County Board Chair, requested an update about SB 1883 (Protection of Bears and Non-Human Primates). Mr. Grady provided information about the bill. The consensus of the Committee was to support the bill.
Assistant County Administrator Meyers also noted that the following bills did not pass through their respective chambers: HB 1062 (Lost and Stolen Firearms - FOID Card Bill), HB 3053 (Counties Code - Procurement Goals Bill), and HB 1066 (Open Meetings Act Amendment - Child Care).
9. County Administrator's Report
Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, noted that he and Gary Gibson, County Administrator, met with federal lobbyist firms and are publicly requesting proposals to hire a federal lobbyist for the County. Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained that, once a contract is signed, staff will invite the selected firm to speak at the next Legislative Committee meeting.
Discussion ensued.
10. Executive Session
The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.
11. Members' Remarks
Member Knizhnik requested to add SB 1521, Ethan's Law, (Firearm Safe Storage Bill) to the next Legislative Committee agenda. She provided a brief overview of the bill.
Discussion ensued.
Sandy Hart, County Board Chair, requested that a resolution in support of the Ethan's Law be considered at the April County Board meeting, with the consent of Chair Wasik.
Discussion ensued.
The consensus of the Committee was to request that staff prepare a resolution in support of Ethan's Law to place on the April County Board meeting agenda for consideration by the full Board.
12. Adjournment
Chair Wasik declared the meeting adjourned at 2:11 p.m.
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