Government Center  
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A  
Geneva, IL 60134  
Kane County  
KC Public Health Committee  
Meeting Minutes  
STRATHMANN, Sanchez, Arroyo, Juby, Penesis, Tarver, Young, ex-officios Roth (County  
Vice Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)  
Wednesday, September 17, 2025  
9:00 AM  
County Board Room  
1.  
2.  
Call To Order  
Chairman Strathmann called today's meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  
Roll Call  
Board Member Cherryl Strathmann  
Board Member Jarett Sanchez  
Board Member Leslie Juby  
PRESENT  
Board Member David Young  
Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth  
Board Member Alex Arroyo  
Board Member Ted Penesis  
Board Member Bill Tarver  
REMOTE  
ABSENT  
Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog  
Also present: Co. Bd. members Allan*, Bates, Gripe, Linder, Molina*; KCAC Admin.  
Youngsteadt; KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson and staff Barrett and Onwuta; Spec. ASA  
Shepro; ASA Frank; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock*; ITD staff Peters; and members  
of the press and public including Asst. Dir. for Communicable Disease Apryll Elliott,  
Asst. Dir. of Environmental Health Julie Wiegel, Environmental Health Supervisors  
Colleen Nyland, and Kristin Johnson.  
3.  
4.  
Remote Attendance Requests  
Chairman Strathmann announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.  
She asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Arroyo,  
Penesis, Tarver attending remotely. There were no objections.  
Approval of Minutes: August 20, 2025  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Jarett Sanchez  
5.  
Public Comment  
Committee Member and Kane County resident David Young addressed trans-gender  
violence, domestic terrorism acts, and hate crimes happening in the United States.  
Young stated that these violent actions were all performed by members of the LGBTQ  
group. He stated that the Democratic Party embraces this group and the culture of evil.  
Young expressed his concerns on when the LGBTQ group will be denounced by  
Democratic leaders.  
Kane County resident Tricia Miller addressed Committee Member David Young's public  
comment on trans-gender gun violence from a previous meeting. She believes his  
comments to be demeaning, hateful, and false.  
Kane County resident Vicki Davidson-Belle referenced a written letter from a friend.  
The letter stated that 57.1 percent of gun violence is committed by white males, with  
97.7 percent being male. This is the highest percentage of any race and sex to commit  
any act of gun violence in the United States. Less than 1 percent of gun violence acts  
are committed by anyone who identify as trans-gender. She shared her positive and  
non-threatening experiences with trans-gender people. Davidson-Belle perceives  
Committee Member David Young's insinuation that trans-gender people are violent is  
false.She believes that his cult-like views add to violence and trigger all people and  
children of all sexual orientations less safe. She suggested Young learn the difference  
between a fact and a cult-like opinion. As a mother and citizen, she is concerned for  
Young's mental stability to serve on the Kane County Board.  
Kane County resident Denise Theobald addressed Committee Member David Young's  
comments on trans-gender gun violence. She reminded him of the elected position  
rules and policies including political activity during compensated time, and spreading  
partisan attacks and misleading information is prohibited. Theobald expressed her  
disapproval of Young's act of hijacking committee meetings to spew his hate. She  
stated that the claims that trans-gender people are responsible for committing violent  
crimes and murders are false.  
Committee Member and Kane County resident Bill Tarver spoke on the increasing  
suicide rates and gun violence acts. He stated that in 2023, over 49K Americans died  
by suicide, at a rate of approximately 14.7 deaths per one-hundred thousand people.  
Despite a dip around the pandemic years, the overall suicide rate has climbed to 36  
percent since the year 2000. Suicide remains the leading cause of death, especially for  
individuals ages 10 to 34. In 2023, more than 55 percent of suicides involved firearms.  
Nearly 27K were deaths by gun suicide, accounting for 58 percent of all gun-related  
deaths that year. Tarver stated that for too long mental health has been treated as  
secondary, rather than an essential part of our wellbeing. The lack of funding and  
access to care leaves too many people without hope, resources, and lifelines they  
need. Lastly, Tarver stated that all must demand greater investment in mental health  
services in schools, workplace environments, and in neighborhoods.  
Board Member and Kane County resident Mavis Bates stated that the act of unjustly  
blaming trans-gender people by Republicans, including one of the members on the  
Kane County Board, must stop. She stated that lying about trans-gender people  
committing mass-shootings serves two purposes for the conservative agenda. She  
noted that data shows that mass shooters are overwhelmingly straight men. According  
to the violence project, 97 percent of mass shootings are committed by men. The gun  
violence reports state that out of more than 5K mass shootings, the number of  
trans-gender or LGBTQ plus suspects is less than one tenth of one percent. The  
people of Kane County demand justice and respect for all.  
Kane County resident Paula Merrington addressed Committee Member David Young's  
public comment on trans-gender gun violence from a previous meeting. She believes  
his comments to be demeaning, hateful, and false. She stated that according to the  
Williams Institute, trans-gender people are over four times more likely to be the victims  
of violent crimes, and 73 percent of those are victims of gun violence. Merrington looks  
forward to Committee Member David Young's apology for his outrageous statements.  
6.  
7.  
Finance/Budget  
Monthly Report  
A.  
The monthly reports are on file. No additional report was made.  
Animal Control  
Monthly Report  
A.  
Kane County Animal Control (KCAC) Admin. Younsteadt stated that all monthly  
reports are on file. He announced that there are only two clinics left for the year.  
One of the clinics will be tonight from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The last vaccine  
clinic is on Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Last year, over  
650 vaccines were administered. Lastly, Youngsteadt provided an aerial view of  
the Geneva facility showing where the new dog water fountain will be located.  
The water pipes have been installed, and concrete has been poured. The water  
fountain will feature a plaque honoring Sylvia Snyder's generosity, ensuring her  
legacy continues to benefit the community, and its four-legged residents. More  
updates will be provided at next month's meeting. Further discussion ensued.  
8.  
Executive Director  
Highlight on West Nile Virus Prevention  
A.  
Asst. Dir. for Communicable Disease, Apryll Elliott, explained that the West Nile  
Virus (WNV) is a vector borne disease that affects the neurological system. In  
1991, the first human case was identified in the United States was in New York.  
Elliot noted that WNV is a reportable disease, and must be reported as soon as  
possible or within three days. For human cases by month of onset, on average  
from 2015 to 2024, most onsets occur predominantly in the months of August  
and September. Elliot stated that the WNV is primarily transmitted from the bite  
of an infected mosquito. WNV can also be transmitted through transfusion of  
blood, a transplanted organ, from mother to infant, or breastfeeding. There have  
been no identifications of transmissions of the virus occurring from person to  
person. Symptoms of WNV are mild, with only up 20 percent of individuals will  
develop flu-like symptoms. Other virus symptoms include a slight fever,  
headache, body aches, rash, or lymph node swelling. The duration of these  
symptoms may last a few days to several weeks. Less than 1 percent of  
individuals infected with WNV will develop severe illness, and ten percent of  
people developing severe illness affecting the central nervous system ultimately  
will die. To prevent WNV, use insect repellent, wear long, loose-fitting shirts and  
pants, and use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.  
Environmental Health Supervisor Kristin Johnson highlighted the components of  
the Mosquito Control Program. The components include identification of  
potential breeding sites, eliminating breeding site when possible, surveillance  
tapping and testing, complaint investigations, public education, larval control,  
and adult control. Johnson explained that collecting data allows decisions to be  
made with accurate real time information, and post-treatment assessment of  
mosquito levels are required to insure effectiveness of adulticiding. The two  
types of mosquitoes are floodwater and house mosquitoes. Johnson shared a  
picture of a Gravid Trap, which is a device that collects mosquitoes that are  
seeking a location to lay eggs. A special organic mix is added to the trap once a  
week to replenish the trap's attractiveness. Other mosquito surveillance and  
testing include larva dipping equipment and Rapid Analyte Measurement  
Platform testing (RAMP). The RAMP tests for a virus in the mosquito sample by  
using a disposable cartridge and fluorescence reader.Traditionally, there is  
testing of WNV done on dead birds. However, Johnson noted that due to the  
high Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) disease, there will be no bird testing in  
2025. Elliot addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much  
discussion ensued.  
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - Kane County Data  
B.  
KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson provided data on Suicide Prevention Awareness in  
Kane County. He stated that although the rates have been stable from 2015 to  
2023, the suicide mortality rate increased over 30 percent from 2023 to 2024.  
The suicide demographics show that in 2024, the average age of death was 48  
years old. This is an increase from 43 years old in 2015. Isaacson noted that  
from 2015 to 2024, nearly 80 percent of all decedents were male. Over the past  
ten years, the most common method of suicide from years 2015 to 2024 in Kane  
County was hanging or other forms of asphyxiation. This makes up 43 percent  
of all suicide deaths. The second most common method of suicide deaths are  
gunshot wounds with a total of 155 cases. Isaacson reminded the Committee of  
the 988 Crisis Hot Line available to anyone facing mental health struggles,  
emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk  
to, counselors are available to provide the emotional support, and resources  
they need.  
KCHD Elgin Facility Updates  
C.  
KCHD Exec. Dir. Isaacson stated that additional renovations of the Elgin Facility  
continue to go smoothly. New air conditioning units will be installed next week.  
Additional renovations on the conference room and other offices will begin early  
October. A resolution on approving final renovations for the facility will be  
presented at next month's meeting. (Committee Member Arroyo left at 10:15  
a.m.)  
Ratifying and Approving Agreements with the U.S. Department of Housing and  
Urban Development for the Homeless Prevention Grants for Program Year 2025  
D.  
KC Executive Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Executive Committee  
Jarett Sanchez  
MOVER:  
Leslie Juby  
SECONDER:  
Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Ted Penesis,  
Bill Tarver, and David Young  
AYE:  
Corinne M. Pierog  
Alex Arroyo  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
9.  
Old Business  
None.  
10.  
Reports Placed On File  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Jarett Sanchez  
11.  
12.  
Executive Session (if needed)  
None.  
New Business  
Committee Member Young requested a presentation on heart disease, and to focus  
more on diseases that affect large quantities of people in the U.S.  
13.  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Jarett Sanchez  
David Young  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
This meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.  
Rachel Santora  
Recording Secretary