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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, January 22, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Co-Chairman Linder called today's meeting to order at 10:40 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Mavis Bates

PRESENT

Board Member Jon Gripe

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Gary Daugherty

Board Member Myrna Molina

REMOTE

ABSENT

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. members Arroyo, Juby, Kious*, Penesis; Trans. Deputy. Dir.

Rickert; Environ. Water & Res. Dir. Wollnik; ASA Frank; ITD staff Peters; and members

of the press and public, including McGuireWoods consultants Mossos*, Bales*, &

Sherwood*.

Remote Attendance Requests

Co-Chairman Linder announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

He asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Gumz,

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

Approval of Minutes: November 20, 2024

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Jon Gripe

Public Comment

None.

Legislative Update

McGuireWoods consultant Bales stated that President Trump was sworn in as the 47th

President on Monday, January 20, 2025. There were numerous executive orders that

went into effect immediately that McGuireWoods will be keeping an eye on. He

referenced the 90-day pause ordered on funding appropriated under the Inflation

Reduction Act and the Infrastructure for Jobs Act. These acts will be monitored, as

there is not enough clarity as to what funding is being paused. The March 14 budget

deadline set forth in Washington will also be monitored. Bales indicated that Congress

is operating under a continuing resolution for fiscal year 2024 funding levels. Congress

is currently waiting on spending levels to be established.

McGuireWoods consultant Mossos stated that the new General Assembly was sworn

in on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The House revealed their new committees on

January 21, and the Senate has only announced Committee Chairs at this time. The

full list will be presented soon. Mossos announced that on February 7 will be the final

deadline for new bills to be filed. So far, there have been over 1,800 bills and

resolutions filed that are currently under review. February 19 will be the deadline for the

Governor's Budget Address. The state is expected to face a $3B shortfall. Deputy

Governor Manar sent a memo to agencies in November 2024 stating this financial

shortfall, and instructing them to look for savings as best they can.

McGuireWoods consultant Sherwood highlighted that the budget is going to be the

primary objective this spring for both chambers. This budget will be the most difficult

they have had since Governor Pritzker came into office, simply because of the massive

shortfall. Sherwood believes this will be long and contentious process, and there will be

potential spending cuts, and increases in revenue. Much discussion ensued.

Committee Chairman Gumz referenced two proposed bills for the 2025 Legislative

session. One bill addressed the outstanding issues with the Kane County Cougars. The

second bill addressed the Fabyan Parkway property issue for Historic Land for Public &

Private Purposes. Gumz provided her consensus to moving these bills forward. She

asked consultants from McGuireWoods to review these bills for the drafting deadline.

McGuireWoods Consultant Sherwood noted that these are not the final versions of the

bill. These will need to be submitted in time for the drafting deadline in order to move

forward with amendment negotiations and various changes.

McGuireWoods Consultant Mossos stated that these are two different bills. One bill

only applies specifically to the Kane County Cougars and allows that transfer to occur.

The other bill is of general applicability that will apply to counties across the state. In

terms of leasing state property, Mossos believes the Kane County Cougars bill will be

less controversial. Much discussion ensued. Committee provided their consensus to

move the bills forward.

Transportation Chief Deputy Dir. Rickert stated that the Division of Transportation is

currently working with other transportation agencies for the Regional Brochure. The

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMap) is getting closer to finalizing the

brochure and it will be available for legislators both at the federal and state level soon.

The Randall at Hopps Road project as well as other Randall Road enhancements on

the north end of the county are mentioned in the brochure. Rickert mentioned that he

and his staff continue to have discussions about the Metropolitan Mobility Agency

request. He continues to communicate with Jackie Forbes regarding issues, and is

looking at all options in order to enhance the ability to make transit better in the region.

Lastly, Rickert highlighted the request for "Quick-Take" powers for the acquisition for

improvements on Randall and Hopps Road. Quick-Take is a procedure in Illinois that

allows the government to quickly acquire property for public use. He stated that Kane

County Division of Transportation (KDOT) staff recommends to pursue Quick-Take

legislation in order to meet the obligation of starting this project by September 30,

2026. The overall project will cost $60M. This would repair the skew angle of the

intersection at Hopps Road, flatten the super elevation, and widen Randall Road to

three lanes for both north and south directions. There will be a public hearing on

Wednesday, January 29 to discuss land acquisitions and easements for nine property

owners. Much discussion ensued.

Old Business

Kane County Legislative Agenda FY25

Chairman Gumz stated that she will present a draft agenda for the FY25 Legislative

Committee at the next meeting.

Solar Task Force Update

Environ. Water & Res. Dir. Wollnik provided updates on the Kane County Solar Task

Force. She stated final comments from the Illinois State Association of Counties

(ISACo) on the proposed changes were received. They plan to file soon. The most

recent changes to the Wind and Solar Law were the Agriculture Impact Mitigation

Agreements (AIMA). It is believed that the 60-day review period is not sufficient enough

for counties to review the document. An extension on the timeline was requested.

Wollnik highlighted the proposed language that will be incorporated into revisions

specifically addressing concerns on solar fields, and municipal planning areas. A

statement will be incorporated regarding the municipals adopted comprehensive plan,

in which this would provide the county the ability to deny a solar permit, as well if

substantial infrastructure investments have been made on the property.