Boone County Board Meeting
Sep 17, 2026
The lede
- The board approved $140,042.66 in change orders for the courthouse renovation project, with the largest portion ($101,345) addressing water damage and structural repairs to deteriorating basement brick pillars and waterproofing
- A new liquor license was approved for High Rollers Bar & Slots LLC, replacing a business that had been vacant for a year and a half
- The board approved $20,400 in new landscaping for the Logan Avenue Administration campus, including native plantings and a dry creek drainage feature on the east side of the building
- Deputy Michelle Young received the 2026 Alvira B. Long Memorial Award from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials for her work on the Boone County Housing Authority Board
- Northern Illinois Food Bank reported serving nearly 1 million meals (977,000) in Boone County in fiscal year 2026, with approximately 10,000 residents served monthly
Attendance & housekeeping
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Chairman Carl Johnson. Roll call showed all members present, with Dana Logston participating electronically. The board approved a motion allowing Logston to join remotely. The agenda was approved as presented.
Decisions & votes
John Wolf appointed to Regional Planning Commission (voice vote, approved) The board filled a position that had been vacant for some time. Johnson thanked Wolf for stepping up to serve.
General consent items approved (voice vote, approved) Consent items included fund transfers, road projects, acceptance of donations, and raffles.
Change Order 31 for courthouse project approved, $140,042.66 (roll call: 11-0) The change order covered four separate items: electrical outlets for the public defender lounge ($3,124), mechanical work for jury entrance ($17,693), optional lighting for exterior landscaping ($9,977), and water damage repairs to basement structural elements ($101,345). Board members questioned why some items had been missed by engineering consultants. Project manager Justin Darnell explained that some omissions would result in approximately 30% offsetting credits to the county. The board amended the motion to include PCO 112 (full lighting installation) rather than PCO 113 (roughing only), reasoning that completing the work now would be more cost-effective than waiting. The basement water damage included deteriorating brick pillars with visible structural issues and water infiltration. The waterproofing carries a 10-year warranty.
Landscaping proposal approved, $20,400 (roll call: 11-0) The board approved a proposal from Lawn Maintenance Services for new landscaping at the administration campus, including approximately 174 plants and trees. The design features a dry creek drainage system on the east side and emphasizes native species. Staff had obtained three proposals and consulted with the Soil and Water Conservation District. The project was removed from the original campus construction bid to save money and allow more flexibility.
Exhaust fan replacement approved, $12,768 (roll call: 11-0) The board approved replacement of five existing exhaust fans in the courthouse. Staff explained the fans were not functioning at capacity and could cause the project to fail final air quality testing if not replaced. The cost was deemed lower than including the work in the main construction contract due to reduced overhead.
Groundwater sampling approved, $9,600 (roll call: 11-0) The board approved a contract with Brownfield Environmental for additional groundwater sampling at Landfill #2 for quarters 3 (2026) and 1 (2027). This sampling is required under a new supplemental EPA permit and must be completed before the end of September. The quote was $1,400 less than an alternative from PACE. The work will establish a baseline by testing all four quarters consecutively rather than the previous two-per-year schedule.
Resolution 26-29 amending civil fee schedule approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved changes to civil filing fees required by state statute. The legislation passed in a farm bill and took effect July 1, though the clerk’s office was not notified until mid-August. The changes have been in effect since September 4 following a software update. The resolution adds $5 to certain case filings, with funds going to the state’s guardianship advocacy fund. Circuit Clerk Pam Kudro noted that the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts believes schedule two was omitted in error and will likely require another update in the future.
Liquor license approved for High Rollers Bar & Slots LLC (voice vote, approved) Chuck Robertson of Rockford explained the business is taking over a space that had been vacant for a year and a half.
Resolution 26-25 approved for paratransit vehicle grant application (voice vote, approved) The resolution authorizes applying for a capital assistance grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for paratransit vehicles.
Resolution 26-27 establishing interim public defender salary approved (roll call: 11-0) The resolution establishes an annual salary for the interim public defender position.
Bridge bundle intergovernmental agreement approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved an agreement to move forward with a state-funded bridge bundle, with the state paying 100% of construction costs for one Boone County bridge, three Boone Township bridges, and three McHenry County bridges. Approval was contingent on the state’s attorney’s review.
Professional services agreement for Piscasaw Bridge Bundle approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved an agreement between the state and county for the bridge project.
Ordinance 26-35 for special use permit approved, 11635 Wange Road (roll call: 11-0) The board approved a special use permit for agricultural employee housing at 11635 Wange Road. The applicant, Jim Schwans, plans to convert an existing commercial building into seasonal housing for up to 10 employees participating in the H2A agricultural worker program for a three-month period (March to May). The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval 5-0 with 11 conditions, including limiting occupancy to 10 H2A program workers, requiring full plan review by appropriate agencies, directing outdoor lighting away from adjacent properties, hard-surfacing traffic areas, and posting contact information for the property manager. Curry noted the program has strict requirements including drug testing and immediate removal for violations, and expressed support for the work-focused approach.
Memorandum of agreement with Rosecrance approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved an agreement for a community counselor position involving the county, health department, sheriff’s office, and Rosecrance, Inc.
Claims approved, $766,215.50 (roll call: 11-0) The board approved claims with Chairman Johnson abstaining from votes on claims from William Charles, Northern Illinois Service Co., Core & Main, highway department claims, and county department claims regarding sewage, storm water, construction, and excavation.
Ordinance 26-34 amending planning fee schedule approved (voice vote, approved)
County farmland rental to Aaron Bramstedt approved (roll call: 11-0) Cordray thanked Aaron Lewis for his work on obtaining bids for the farmland rental.
Irene Road bridge jurisdictional agreement approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, City of Belvidere, and Flora Township regarding jurisdictional responsibility for the Irene Road bridge. Staff explained the tollway had performed repairs and sent a bill, prompting negotiations that significantly reduced costs. The agreement clarifies responsibilities and places more maintenance obligations on the tollway.
Irene Road bridge financial responsibility agreement approved (roll call: 11-0) The board approved a second agreement regarding financial and maintenance obligations among Boone County, Belvidere, and Flora Township for the Irene Road bridge.
Gas migration system maintenance approved, $10,800 (roll call: 10-0-1) The board approved a quote from Helm Service for maintenance on the gas migration mitigation system at Landfill #2. Staff reported the system is shutting off daily and requires manual restarts. Chairman Johnson abstained due to personal business relationships with Helm.
Discussion items (no vote)
Northern Illinois Food Bank presented data on food insecurity in Boone County. Emily Frost, advocacy specialist, reported that one in seven individuals and one in six children in the county experience food insecurity. The food bank distributed 977,000 meals in fiscal year 2026 through 21 member agencies and programs, serving an average of 10,000 neighbors monthly. Approximately 26% of Boone County households live below the financial survival threshold. Following federal HR1 passage in July 2025, approximately 1,300 Boone County residents lost SNAP benefits between September 2025 and June 2026.
Amanda Marin of the Boone County Health Department, serving as chair of the Boone County Hunger Coalition, reported on local initiatives including a capital campaign to raise $100,000 for equipment replacement at Empower Boone, including a failing walk-in freezer. The coalition’s cooling safety initiative, funded by a community foundation grant, purchased five freezers and 24 refrigerator thermometers for local pantries, resulting in a 155% increase in food storage capacity and serving 27,741 people over five pantries from April through December 2025.
Growth Dimensions CEO Pam Fettis reported on the organization’s 2026 annual reception, which had 320 attendees and exceeded financial expectations. She announced 4,700 new jobs created in 2026, nearly 4.3 million square feet of development or occupied space, and $2.5 billion in investment. Growth Dimensions currently has 119 active opportunities and prospects.
Project manager Justin Darnell reported the administration campus project was completed on time and under budget. He thanked the board for timely decisions that helped the process.
Public comment
No members of the public offered comment.
Notable moments
Deputy receives national award
Chairman Johnson presented Deputy Michelle Young with the 2026 Alvira B. Long Memorial Award for Commissioners from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. The award recognizes a housing authority commissioner in the central United States who demonstrated excellence in advocacy and program expansion. Young’s work included creating a partnership with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court for a different housing model for people with mental and emotional disabilities, which helped reduce repeated arrests and administrative costs. She was also involved in the Pearl Place Apartments rehabilitation for seniors and disabled persons and housing programs for homeless disabled veterans. Young thanked the board for appointing her to the housing authority and for supporting her current position with the sheriff’s department, saying she was “grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve Boone County wearing brown.”
Courthouse change order debate
Board members pressed architect Marco Roman and project manager Justin Darnell about engineering omissions that resulted in additional costs. Curry questioned why electrical outlets for the public defender lounge were missed and whether the county would pay for patching and repairing walls. Cordray expressed frustration that a mechanical component was drawn in architectural plans but missed by the MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineer, saying “this is a continuing problem in this industry” where “nobody looks at the other people’s drawings.” He noted the county paid for modeling to prevent such issues. Cordray and Curry both emphasized the board’s responsibility to protect taxpayer money while acknowledging that mistakes happen in complex projects. Wahberg attempted to negotiate a 50-50 cost split on the omissions, though Darnell had already established approximately 30% would be credited back to the county.
Teleprompter moment
After Curry stumbled over language in a motion regarding “state’s attorney’s approval,” he joked it was “an anchor man teleprompter conference,” drawing laughter from the board.
Washington trip report
Johnson, Wahberg, and Riley reported on their trip to Washington with the United Counties Council of Illinois. They met with Senator Duckworth, Senator Durbin, and Representative LaHood. Johnson described LaHood being pulled away repeatedly during their meeting to vote on bills, running back and forth between conversations and votes. The group toured the White House from a nearby rooftop and witnessed Marine One landing. Johnson highlighted obtaining contact information for Danny Gustoson in the office of intergovernmental affairs, who offered to help connect the county with federal resources.
Administration campus open house announced
Staff announced a ribbon cutting and open house for the new administration campus building on September 24 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Johnson encouraged board members to attend, noting the significant time and effort invested in the project. When Johnson asked what time the ribbon would be cut, there was discussion about whether to do it at 3:00 or later, with Lockston jokingly suggesting “5:05 would be better.”
Cars for CASA promotion
Curry promoted the Cars for CASA event scheduled for September 27 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Rock Valley ATC parking lot, with car registration at $15 in advance or $20 day-of, vendor registration at $25, and 50/50 raffle tickets available.