Committee of the Whole Meeting - Administration
Jul 2, 2026
The lede
- Approved $437,856.39 in county claims with standard abstentions for conflict of interest
- Approved two change orders for ongoing construction projects: $19,937.49 for courthouse renovations and $21,796.16 for Logan Avenue project (including $13,000 for hallway carpet replacement)
- Closing completed on Maple Crest property sale; county received payment and property signage already changed
- Health Department and BAC scheduled to move into renovated admin campus buildings in August 2026
Attendance & housekeeping
Present: Brian Schneider, Dave Coursey, Chad Shoemaker, Ryan Curry, Carl Johnson, Tom Walberg, Lisa Patterson, Rodney Riley, Mary Thornberry
Absent: Neal Johnston, Matt Regano
Also present: Becky (Administrator), Randy Darnell (CCS Consortus, via phone), Carla (via phone), Aaron, Jess
The committee approved the agenda and minutes from April 2, May 7, June 4, and June 4 Executive Session meetings.
Decisions & votes
Claims approval ($437,856.39) - Approved unanimously on roll call vote. Carl Johnson abstained from voting on claims presented by William Charles, Northern Illinois Service Co., Core & Main, all Highway Department claims, and claims related to sewage, storm water, construction and excavation.
Resolution 26-18: Appointment of Election Judges - Approved unanimously by voice vote.
Change Order #27 for Courthouse Project ($19,937.49 from Scandroli Construction) - Approved unanimously on roll call vote. Randy Darnell explained these were routine change orders with some offsetting expenses. The largest item (item #7) involved window/ceiling modifications in what will be the State’s Attorney’s Office to improve both aesthetics and HVAC efficiency. Some concern was initially raised about dropping the ceiling cutting off window heads, but the solution was endorsed by both architect and engineer.
Change Order #12 for Logan Avenue Project ($21,796.16 from Scandroli Construction) - Approved unanimously on roll call vote after discussion. The largest component was $13,000 for hallway carpet replacement. Committee member Curry initially questioned the price, using Google searches to verify commercial carpet costs, but ultimately withdrew concern after discussion about removal costs, contractor overhead/profit, and scheduling complexities to keep the building operational during installation.
Discussion items (no vote)
Administration report: Becky provided updates on multiple construction projects:
- Courthouse: brick installation looks “amazing,” interior work in progress, Circuit Clerk moving back to office, State’s Attorney relocating to basement to allow Public Defender renovations, IT moved into new space
- Admin campus: exterior brick done, windows to be installed in next couple weeks, Health Department move scheduled for August 20-21, BAC move scheduled for following Monday
- McKinley building: minor work ongoing, generator testing scheduled for next week, new water line installed, sidewalk installation planned by end of next week
- Finance: 2027 budget documents going out to department heads by following Thursday, meetings scheduled to review audit findings and strengthen internal controls
- County health insurance: new plan year began July 1st, transition from IPBC to Blue Cross Blue Shield fully insured plan
- Personnel policy updates: being compiled for presentation to board in next couple months
- Transit building: Owner’s rep helping finalize RFP for submittal to ITD, expected to go out in July
- Maple Crest closing: completed that day, checks deposited, new owner already changed signage
Landfill groundwater monitoring RFP: Becky explained the city coordinates the RFP for both landfill #1 and #2 every two years. Bids due back Monday or Tuesday, with award expected at county board meeting.
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
The meeting was exceptionally brief at 17 minutes, with one committee member commenting “That’s the fastest I’ve ever experienced.”
During the carpet pricing discussion, Committee member Curry good-naturedly fact-checked the $13,000 carpet installation quote using Google searches during the meeting, calculating square footage and per-foot costs before ultimately accepting the explanation. He joked afterward “thank God for Google” and quipped about closing one lane “like the highway,” before saying he’d “redact my concern.”
The meeting began with several minutes of casual conversation about someone named “Smitty” and various anecdotes, including stories about safety shoes, shorts and tank tops, and rafts.