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Kane County

KC Legislative Committee

Meeting Minutes

GUMZ, LINDER, Bates, Daugherty, Gripe, Molina, Strathmann, ex-officios Roth (County Vice

Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Gumz called today's meeting to order at 10:30 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Michelle Gumz

PRESENT

Board Member Jon Gripe

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Gary Daugherty

Board Member Myrna Molina

REMOTE

ABSENT

Board Member Mavis Bates

Also present: Co. Bd. members Juby*, Kious*, Arroyo, Penesis; Transportation Dep.

Dir. Rickert; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson; Recycling Coordinator Ryan; Sustainability

Coordinator Powell; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public including

Marc Avelar, and McGuireWoods Consultants Bales* and Mossos*.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Gumz announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Daugherty,

Linder, and Molina attending remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: January 22, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Jon Gripe

Public Comment

Kane County resident Marc Avelar looks forward to the Committees' and the lobbyists'

discussion on these bills at today's meeting.

Legislative Update

McGuireWoods Consultant Bales addressed the numerous Executive orders made by

President Trump. There is a temporary restraining order, pausing disbursements from

the Federal Government. This is being monitored as the situation evolves. Currently,

Congress is proceeding with a budget reconciliation process where congress is able to

make changes to tax and spending policy. Bales indicated that this procedure does not

require a signature by the President at the end of the process. Both the Republican

controlled Senate and the Republican controlled House have dueling budget

resolutions, and will be brought up for a vote as early as next week. Programs audited

will not be established until the authorizing committees work through the instructions

set forth in the resolution. More information on this matter will be reported at the next

meeting. Lastly, Bales stated that the Federal Government is operating under a

continuing resolution for fiscal year 2024 at the same spending levels. This will expire

March 14, 2025. The Republican Chairs and ranking members of the Committee are

currently negotiating on top-line spending levels to come to an agreement for year

FY25 spending.

McGuireWoods Consultant Mossos announced that today is the Governor's Budget

Address at noon. The actual budget won't likely be passed until May 30, 2025. He

addressed the $3.1B budget deficit from the end of 2024, however, things are looking

better due to economic forecasts and increased revenue projections. No tax increases

are expected. In terms of legislation, Mossos stated that there have been over 6,300

bills filed. The Quick-Take legislation for the Randall and Hopps Road has not yet been

assigned to a committee.

Chairman Gumz addressed the House Bill 1449 for the County Administrator and

stated that this is an unfunded mandate that removes local control from Kane County.

McGuireWoods Consultant Mossos stated that Bill 1449 was assigned to a committee

yesterday, which means witness slips can be filed whether to support or oppose. At the

moment, no one has filed a witness slip, but should expect to see some filed in the next

coming days.

Transportation Dep. Dir. Rickert stated that Senate Bill 1909 for Quick-Take is now

online. He and his team are working with county engineer lobbyists and

McGuireWoods to make sure this process goes smoothly. He announced that there will

be a public hearing for the Kane County Safety Action Plan on Saturday, February 22

held at the Edward Shock Centre of Elgin from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Lastly, Rickert

addressed the brochure that was handed out to the Committee providing information

on the Northeastern Illinois Priority Investments. Much discussion ensued.

New Business

Committee Chair Gumz referenced the Ness County Administrator Bill. She stated that

a letter has been drafted to Rep. Ness last week. In her opinion, she believes this bill

should be opposed, as unfunded mandates cannot be supported. She asked the

Committee for their input.

Kane County Board Madam Chair Pierog addressed her conversation with Rep. Ness

about the bill. She mentioned she has been advocating for a Kane County

Administrator since she took office. Pierog indicated that Ness' major concern is

making sure that all counties have a county administrator to help manage the budget.

Madam Chair Pierog is in full support of that, and commends the intent of the bill. She

requested to take a neutral position on the bill. Much discussion ensued. The

Committee came to a consensus to oppose House Bill 1449.

Addressing House Bill 2354 and House Bill 2355, McGuireWoods Consultant Mossos

stated that they have not been assigned to committees. He indicated that there have

been a few oppositions to these bills pertaining to specific broad language that might

have unintended consequences.

Chairman Gumz stated that the process for Senate Bills 1424 and 1447 is going

smoothly. She looks forward to providing more updates as they progress.

Recycling Coordinator Ryan presented a resolution supporting State Legislation

Amending and Reauthorizing the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act for Senate Bill

2414. This is a State Law that essentially creates funding to help recycle consumer

electronics throughout the county.

Sustainability Coordinator Powell presented a resolution supporting Legislation

Incentivizing Use of Finished Compost and Digestate on Commercial and Specialty

Farm Operations for Senate Bill 1397. A grant program will be set up for the next three

years, where a private or public entity is able to place compost on their commercial or

specialty farm operations. They can receive a grant up to $50K. The Committee

provided consensus on both Senate Bills 2414 and 1397.

Chairman Gumz addressed Senate Bill 1249 for DeWitte Emergency Vehicle. She

indicated that the language in this Bill states that vehicles must be county vehicles, and

they must have the ability to respond to an emergency. Gumz is in full support of this

Bill, and asked the Committee for their input. Discussion ensued.

Witness Slip Training Discussion

Committee Chair Gumz suggested Committee Members conduct one-on-one witness

slip trainings. There will be more discussion on this topic at next month's meeting.