During a recent government meeting, a local official expressed deep frustration over the county's handling of event applications, likening the situation to a failing business. The official highlighted a series of critical errors, particularly concerning the vetting of veterinarians for large events, which raised serious legal and safety concerns.

The official recounted an incident where a veterinarian listed on an application had withdrawn just days before an event, leaving the county scrambling for a replacement. The alternative vet, sourced from Wisconsin, was not licensed to practice in Illinois, raising alarms about compliance with state law. The official revealed that county staff had allegedly informed the vet that an Illinois license was not necessary, a claim that contradicts state regulations requiring local licensure for veterinary care.

This lapse in oversight was described as unacceptable, especially given the potential risks involved in large-scale events. The official emphasized that such events should not be treated lightly and criticized the county's current application processes as inadequate. They called for accountability and a reevaluation of the procedures in place, noting that promises of staff education to prevent such issues had been made three years prior but had not been fulfilled.

The meeting concluded with the official submitting documentation to support their claims, including discrepancies in contracts related to event logistics, further underscoring the need for improved governance and oversight in county operations.