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, July 16, 2025  
9:00 AM  
County Board Room  
1.  
2.  
Call To Order  
Chairman Tarver called today's meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  
Roll Call  
Board Member Jarett Sanchez  
Board Member Ted Penesis  
PRESENT  
Board Member Bill Tarver  
Board Member David Young  
Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth  
Board Member Leslie Juby  
REMOTE  
ABSENT  
Board Member Cherryl Strathmann  
Board Member Alex Arroyo  
Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog  
Also present: Co. Bd. members Allan*, Gripe, Gumz, Kious*, Linder, Molina*; KCAC  
Admin. Youngsteadt; KCHD Dir. Planning & Information Management Alleman and  
staff Barrett, Peterson; ASA Ford; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and  
public including Affordable Housing and Continuum of Care Program Manager Nisreen  
Wakilah, and Rental Assistance Program Manager Richard Vanderforest.  
3.  
4.  
Remote Attendance Requests  
Chairman Tarver announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He  
asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Juby  
attending remotely. There were no objections.  
Approval of Minutes: June 18, 2025  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Ted Penesis  
5.  
Public Comment  
Kane County resident Lori Powell spoke on the link to the Vaccine Adverse Event  
Reporting System (VAERS) that was added onto the Kane County Health Department's  
website. She appreciated this addition to the website as it informs county residents of  
adverse reactions to vaccines. She noted that informed consent of vaccines is still  
lacking, and requested the same link be added specifically to the immunizations page.  
Powell also indicated that the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption form is currently  
linked on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website, and recommended it  
be added to the Kane County's Health Department website. She concluded her  
comments by stating that all parents should have easy access to this document.  
6.  
7.  
Finance/Budget  
Monthly Report  
A.  
The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.  
Animal Control  
Monthly Report  
A.  
Kane County Animal Control (KCAC) Admin. Youngsteadt stated that the  
monthly reports are on file. He announced that the new gas line for the back-up  
generator was installed. He announced that a new dog water fountain area will  
be installed at the KCAC Geneva facility. The three remaining rabies vaccine  
and microchip clinics will be Saturday, August 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,  
Wednesday, September 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, October  
18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lastly, Youngsteadt introduced new KCAC  
Veterinarian Dr. Alan Hurtz to the committee. He and his Geneva staff look  
forward to working with him. Further discussion ensued.  
Authorizing Kane County Animal Control Department to Utilize the Illinois State  
Treasurer’s Office Electronic Payments Services Program  
B.  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
Jarett Sanchez  
MOVER:  
Ted Penesis  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, Ted Penesis, Bill Tarver, and David Young  
Cherryl Strathmann, Alex Arroyo, and Corinne M. Pierog  
Leslie Juby  
AYE:  
ABSENT:  
ABSTAIN:  
8.  
Executive Director  
Housing Program Update  
A.  
Kane County Health Department (KCHD) Dir. Planning & Information  
Management Alleman introduced the new Affordable Housing and Continuum  
of Care Program Manager Nisreen Wakilah and Rental Assistance Program  
Manager Richard Vanderforest.  
Community Reinvestment Program Manager Nisreen Wakilah presented  
information about the Continuum of Care (CoC) Housing Program for Kane  
County. She stated that the CoC Program is a federal program designed to  
promote community wide commitment of ending homelessness. In addition, this  
program will provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and state and  
local governments to quickly re-house homeless individuals and families while  
minimizing trauma and dislocation to homeless individuals. Wakilah noted that  
the funds for this program are from the Department of Housing and Urban  
Development, and are allocated to the county to administer and plan for the  
CoC. The CoC for Kane County has 20 organizations ranging from local  
government, veteran's organization, mental health, and homeless shelters.  
Wakilah explained that the CoC manages federal and state funding  
opportunities for incentives to address homelessness. All member agencies who  
meet the state and federal eligibility are welcome to apply. The CoC is also  
responsible for managing the local Homeless Management Information System  
(HMIS), organizing the coordination of stakeholders, identify local priorities an  
developing strategies to target them, and create a diverse and accessible  
portfolio of housing programs. There was a total of 1,717 adults and children  
who utilized the Emergency Shelter in Kane County in 2024.  
Rental Assistance Program Manager Richard Vanderforest explained that Rapid  
Re-housing is a rental assistance program for households with medium acuity.  
These are households who need supportive services and financial assistance in  
order to achieve self-sufficiency. Households can receive rental assistance for  
up to 12 or 24 months depending on the funding source. Further discussion  
ensued.  
9.  
Old Business  
None.  
10.  
New Business  
Committee Member Young suggested the Committee focus more on health issues  
such as heart disease, obesity, and child abuse. He believes this will educate  
community residents, and spread awareness more effectively.  
11.  
Reports Placed On File  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Jarett Sanchez  
12.  
Executive Session  
The Public Service Committee entered into Executive Session at 9:59 a.m. to discuss  
the Release of Closed Session Minutes on a motion made by Penesis, seconded by  
Young. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Ted Penesis  
David Young  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Ted Penesis, Bill Tarver, and David  
Young  
AYE:  
Cherryl Strathmann, Alex Arroyo, and Corinne M. Pierog  
ABSENT:  
A.  
Release of Closed Session Minutes  
13.  
Return to Open Session  
The Public Service Committee returned to Open Session at 10:05 a.m. on a motion  
made by Penesis, seconded by Young. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Ted Penesis  
David Young  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
A.  
Vote on Release of Closed Session Minutes  
The Public Health Committee came to a consensus to vote on the Release of Closed  
Session Minutes on a motion made by Sanchez, seconded by Young. Motion carried  
unanimously by roll call vote.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Jarett Sanchez  
David Young  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Ted Penesis, Bill Tarver, and David  
Young  
AYE:  
Cherryl Strathmann, Alex Arroyo, and Corinne M. Pierog  
ABSENT:  
14.  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Ted Penesis  
MOVER:  
Jarett Sanchez  
SECONDER:  
This meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m.  
Rachel Santora  
Recording Secretary