[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6089780,"mediaKeyId","2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808","parentId",2871872,"title","Boone County board approves claims payment, updates coroner mutual-aid agreement and allows two members to attend electronically","audioSeconds",2009,"startMs",441000,"endMs",2450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808&start=441&end=2450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808/thumbnail_441000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089780/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-board-approves-claims-payment-updates-coroner-mutual-aid-agreement-and-allows-two-members-to-attend-electronically","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089780-9db45e2c2a6a071f4c9bed46194fd642/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184087&Signature=kGy1QjCdH5D5ZwxKEzYapul5rYko9Va1~DacY~oHnoDi6TzLSaD70B6kBYea6QVJvpmCgh6hRDadFGmWQZXY1el6xxgRCeWhuZRKE53vUQR4yEO56vqi1MQfmEr7e9S42Z9ABJhohb-5CnA3EEYtRXoDN0OdPxGQCGFuPbfVFyZgELoWLNVWjsEKcrj-F15hoBo6rJgVunlUHfLogyoNp4ZCB2maiRalIyT5nkZEq5~yGHtQtW1BtKX0Pq2XI62yzrKi-iuT8sp-C6lrkHwI~p1o4XmIYVaHC9uNkvIriv0OhNsXvXp9h6A5QZ6rtjUYFolC~uCth1NVZy5SrSAB5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-04T08:19:26.74Z","article","The Boone County Committee of the Whole took several formal actions on April 3:

- Claims approval: The board moved to approve claims in the amount of $91,616.70 with a stated understanding in the motion that Carl Johnson would abstain from voting on claims submitted by certain vendors and departments. The motion, moved by Brian Schneider and seconded by Marion Thornberry, carried following a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded affirmatives for the attending members and the chair said the motion \"carries.\" The motion text included the abstention condition; the roll-call record shown in the minutes lists yes/aye votes for participating members and the meeting record indicates the motion carried.

- Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners mutual-aid agreement: The board voted to approve an updated mutual-aid agreement, replacing a 2012 version. The coroner was not present to speak to the update; the board was told signatures and contact information had changed and the Association requested an updated document. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Remote electronic attendance: Early in the meeting the board voted to allow two members (referenced as Dave Wiltsie and Josh Shoemaker) to join the meeting electronically; the motion carried by voice vote.

- Executive session: The board called an executive session for pending litigation; a motion to enter executive session for litigation was approved by roll call later in the meeting.

Ending: The recorded motions and roll-call actions were entered into the meeting minutes and the board moved to executive session following the votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boone County COTW-Administration 4/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Boone County Committee of the Whole approved $91,616.70 in claims, updated an Illinois coroner mutual-aid agreement, authorized two members to attend electronically and voted to enter executive session on April 3.","taxTitle","Boone County, Illinois","taxId",57613,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6089785,"Boone County eyes adding HSA and high-deductible PPO to blunt nearly $500,000 insurance bump",828,6297000,7125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808&start=6297&end=7125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808/thumbnail_6297000.jpg","/articles/6089785/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-eyes-adding-HSA-and-high-deductible-PPO-to-blunt-nearly-500000-insurance-bump","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089785-632eb4ec5793b930f8fb7e2a23fb607e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184087&Signature=lxp1sc9FgnUFycblQlcd5UvpulyN1CeRWIscMDeJmgpcUiMM-WSnGIWDj-DQFKMseHC3feO~gc0O0FUr3GBppbyrwr0exnn2Hy2bj5FqoupevFnYu6CDLPxV3v1cEigDXy4XuPQHmLhKPcHj69Lp0NkyHKXXWzW~zDPUtP5USrhEI~xipzvhM3sm4zj27uZPVQAd9Su1fY7ND5u4mjRoV4K5gTPzGEt~vjuWIclvZiAakPNH32snXzE1DKkbGGTV5HMraWYW7oe9giE--j6EfsrBZGSp5BVxm6d8hRZv9qJzXufrt5IR90E8oHVW8H9vgRdDMgcUL~YS0LKXNec~jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County administration told the Committee of the Whole on April 3 that the county faces a sizable health-insurance premium increase beginning July 1 and recommended adding two alternative plans — a high-deductible HSA and an additional high-deductible PPO — to give employees lower-cost options and reduce county exposure.

Ricky (benefits staff) and County Administrator Becky told the board the county is facing a 14.8% renewal increase effective July 1 (the county's plan year runs July 1–June 30), which equates to roughly a half-million dollars out of the county general fund if no changes are made. \"If we don't do anything, it's half a million dollars,\" Becky said.

Staff recommended adding an HSA-qualified high-deductible plan and a second high-deductible PPO as alternatives to the current negotiated PPO (which cannot be changed mid-contract). The administration plans to work with the pooled broker (IPBC) on education and incentives to encourage employees to consider lower-premium options. Examples discussed included employer seed contributions to HSAs (staff discussed possible quarterly deposits and a suggested $1,250 family example for initial funding) and communications from IPBC to employees about plan choices.

Becky and benefits staff emphasized that certain cost drivers — notably new GLP drugs and other high-cost medications — cannot be fully addressed until the January 1 plan-year changes allowed by IPBC; the county therefore faces a six-month window of limited flexibility on some prescription-management levers.

Because adding plan options before July 1 requires administrative work, staff requested a special county board meeting the week before the May finance committee so members could take an action in time for the July 1 effective date. No formal vote was taken April 3; staff will present plan documents and employer/employee cost-share proposals at a special meeting and the regular finance board meetings.

Ending: The board endorsed the approach of pursuing additional plan options and directed staff to prepare rates, employee-contribution scenarios and an education rollout; a special county board meeting was proposed to act before the July 1 renewal.","Administration told the board the county faces a projected 14.8% health-insurance renewal increase (about $484,000) beginning July 1 and proposed offering a high-deductible HSA plan and an additional high-deductible PPO to reduce costs; staff recommended a special county-board meeting next week to approve plan additions.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6089790,"Boone County sheriff reports $35,000 in overtime for hospital guard shift, steady staffing and two major arrests",522,542000,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808&start=542&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6089790/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-sheriff-reports-35000-in-overtime-for-hospital-guard-shift-steady-staffing-and-two-major-arrests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089790-5e38f6ca51c258a2afbaa178ae675c05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184087&Signature=X9TrFKi2up0xKawpKRxTJwoIsTtpkrF3UtGfIMXZXcwsug3n6tTMS3a1PqV~-eV0GVcga3Ot-z21dPuu3zQM~VbpXqD9wJyHuna66y5x6UGxt1r2tFRkWTK-CDUqdh1cQYjbZiS1qHmBJ~BX1Zb36qHycyxQxzvO3d64-2fuUg2pWrybtQuss9gqUIDUv5GkbeMh2lhLcTIqeDPApiqwHHh7sSRvi2chA1x5sp5~St7S9COdBgbU24LGwFhF3NoSor8aQKmq89MJ9b6dS~RoW0MyEFTwZWLu0yjZDMJ60xFV-gME9SHrfIVZS49QHxMcHmCwxJdnjsAi28L48n~rRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boone County sheriff reported staffing updates, equipment deployments and notable arrests during the March reporting period at the April 3 Committee of the Whole meeting, and detailed an overtime expense of roughly $35,000 tied to extended hospital security.

The sheriff told board members corrections overtime totaled just under $27,000 and deputies' overtime about $8,000 for a combined two-week pay period related to an inmate who remained in a hospital for approximately 2½ weeks. \"When you're having 2 individuals on an individual for 24 hours, it's gonna be a cost,\" the sheriff said, adding the agency relied on UW Health staff during the period.

On staffing, the sheriff said patrol is effectively full: two deputies remain in field training (about one month of FTO remaining) and two recruits are at the academy and would begin FTO after graduation at month-end. Corrections has one open position and three staff out on medical leave; one corrections officer, Lloyd Myers, graduated correctional officer school on March 26 and is in field training.

Equipment updates included distribution of newly purchased radios to all deputies and rollout of recently purchased body-worn cameras.

Calls for service in March were close to last year's levels: 2024 recorded 2,630 calls; 2025 recorded 2,615 calls in March, the sheriff said.

The sheriff also highlighted two substantial arrests: a detective arrested an individual on aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint and aggravated stalking; another detective arrested an individual on four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and additional child-exploitation counts. The sheriff praised detectives and the State's Attorney's Office for handling the cases.

Ending: Board members thanked the sheriff for the report and had no further questions. The sheriff said staffing and equipment improvements would continue to be a department focus.","At the April 3 meeting the sheriff reviewed March activity: approximately $35,000 in overtime tied to hospital guarding for one inmate over a 2.5-week period, near-full patrol staffing, corrections shortages, new radios and body cameras issued, and two significant arrests by detectives.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6089794,"County backs less-invasive Woodstock Road realignment; IDOT weighing single roundabout option",495,1125000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808&start=1125&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808/thumbnail_1125000.jpg","/articles/6089794/Boone-County/Illinois/County-backs-less-invasive-Woodstock-Road-realignment-IDOT-weighing-single-roundabout-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089794-e84b51395b3b05e3db4b57bdbfc1a403/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184087&Signature=kw~hbY9OXTZoSXCUwVeYskIxxAcHZVj4MF4Fkip9OGcszVeksMA2m7kILkzJIQDYjzP2uCjdUau25fWvnPztmEj1QmSrr9BDSGKHCyZCjmRq5FJyij0yMYcSZ4yV-VJyLdjvZ8Bl7kvwQKmuspe7qT76Mexh8i4L1NAROvKHXrohBj457oIeUt-z2aXvv60LnfjJRs1arP3~v6P3iLSU1TyBvsKgbBiJxrFw7z4VtiZLYqpL91ZNQ7juaDJoSTebH63fypTqr7GwP0qTyLAAeOyD0CbMJk3K6p5L8GWUUb24vzJw~si9FqtkxVEznP8Gt30sY0o7~BxFWogyTH0z8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County Highway staff presented revised alignment options for the Woodstock Road–Illinois 76 intersection and recommended a less-invasive alternative that officials said would reduce farmland impacts while maintaining safe speeds on most approaches.

Justin (county highway staff) described three options and said the new option — Option 3 — would require the least new roadway and the smallest farmland take. That option would allow most segments to remain at the posted 55 mph with one 680-foot-radius curve designed for about a 40 mph speed through the realigned segment.

\"From a public-input and resource-impact standpoint, I think this is a good viable option,\" Justin said, noting he had discussed the design with landowners affected by the proposed alignment. Justin also said reducing the number of new roundabouts should keep more traffic on IL-76 rather than shifting volume to Poplar Grove Road, which the county does not want to overload.

Board members raised concerns about the curve geometry and safety; Tom Wahlberg and others requested any softening of the radius that preserves agricultural land where feasible. Justin said the 680-foot radius could be tweaked slightly but that major changes were constrained by overall geometrics and right-of-way limits.

IDOT originally proposed three separate roundabouts (Woodstock, Caledonia and Spring Creek). County staff said IDOT is reconsidering an earlier rejected concept to combine multiple approaches into a single five-leg roundabout; a new IDOT geometrics engineer is reviewing that option.

Staff emphasized the schedule pressure: IDOT has federal funds currently assigned to this project that are expected to expire in 2027. The county must complete environmental reviews, permitting and final design in time for the planned 2027 construction window if it wants to retain those funds.

Ending: The board signaled general support for Option 3 and asked staff to continue coordination with IDOT; no formal vote was taken on April 3. Staff will continue public outreach and refine plans and right-of-way impacts ahead of required environmental and permitting steps for a 2027 construction schedule.","Highway staff presented three alignment options for the Woodstock Road–Illinois 76 intersection and recommended a third, less-invasive design that reduces farmland impacts and keeps traffic on IL-76. IDOT is reconsidering a single five-leg roundabout; construction is targeted for 2027 under current funding assumptions.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6089799,"Boone County board debates short-term rental licensing, considers smaller initial permit pool",4635,1625000,6260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808&start=1625&end=6260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871872-adbb9ef02658a804df2fe5815d760808/thumbnail_1625000.jpg","/articles/6089799/Boone-County/Illinois/Boone-County-board-debates-short-term-rental-licensing-considers-smaller-initial-permit-pool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089799-44ef273e04f447b98ef64a8f08b78464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184087&Signature=PvUWIUNkUstHfBOhTtYxixvsR2zN0AJqWj3RgsnM~0WECP8wKqDnxw5LtpcBi51phwNsg-X~-fOXYbz5BumfeBGEV1bSHmd1OEwFMhTZE2Dq17MkauVpBS4hpLa7SI8KPoifHNZ6XbqrBHwCcRiMMxW3~bJW729t8CpNeUXBgeM9lBwnvjrWgLvkaufmCrdROnLVm2SwwRf2S8QoeVM88eM35ZsKMBaFqcooXcXQYVQY80mM~ImilKa8RY4yxxoI8zZWrLaB7h2j1JuUoYm-eS86L64x3NHcYB8LtPqJL9Klo8I4Dmu1GP8J7f6zhtzRnbvL7yEWA52nA-heFcCJnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boone County officials spent much of their April 3 Committee of the Whole meeting debating a proposed licensing program for short-term vacation rentals in the unincorporated county, with board members sharply divided over how strict the new rules should be and how many licenses to allow initially.

The discussion followed a staff-drafted license packet that would require operators to obtain county approval and would allow up to 10 licenses at once. County board member Brian Schneider demanded tighter language on occupancy, and several board members recommended lowering the initial cap to provide time to monitor impacts before expanding the program.

The proposal would require a license for any short-term rental operating in unincorporated Boone County and authorize the zoning administrator to suspend or revoke a license for violations, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, or if the facility creates a nuisance. The draft also includes a civil penalty provision and an appeals process handled by a small commission.

\"We need to get the ones that we have now in compliant,\" County Board Member Marion Thornberry said, arguing existing operators should be brought under the new rules before issuing licenses to new entrants.

County Board Member Ryan Curry, who defended the draft, pushed back on opposition based on anecdote. \"This idea that just because you have short-term rentals the derelicts of society are going to move into Boone County for a weekend and steal somebody's TV is short sighted,\" Curry said. He also urged fellow board members to read the proposed license and noted other municipalities successfully manage large numbers of licensed short-term rentals.

Several members raised structural concerns about the draft. Dave Wiltsie and others asked for clear enforcement language and recommended that any initial program start smaller (several members suggested five licenses) so staff can evaluate effects before expanding. Board members also questioned the makeup of the appeals panel: the draft assigned the county board chair, the administration chair and the finance chair; several members said that composition risks concentrating decision authority and suggested adding the vice chair or representation by district.

Board members pressed staff to confirm how many short-term rentals already operate in the unincorporated county; staff said the exact count was not specified in the packet. The draft includes possible fines (up to $500 per day was discussed as a statutory option in the meeting) and a process for license suspension and revocation, and the zoning administrator would have authority to investigate alleged violations.

No vote was taken. Chair Paul Johnson asked board members to review the draft and return comments; staff and the State's Attorney's Office were asked to clarify appeal procedures, enforcement thresholds and whether existing operators would be required to obtain licenses before new ones are issued. Board members signaled they could bring revised language back at the next administrative meeting or add it to a future agenda for formal action.

For now, the board left the draft in discussion, asking staff to return with clarified language on occupancy limits, appeals composition and enforcement mechanics.

Ending: The board did not adopt the license at the April 3 meeting. Members asked administration and the State's Attorney's Office to refine the draft and to provide counts and compliance options for existing short-term rental operations before the issue returns for further consideration.","A lengthy, heated discussion at the April 3 Committee of the Whole meeting focused on a proposed short-term rental licensing program for unincorporated Boone County. Board members disagreed over occupancy limits, appeals-panel composition and whether to begin with 10 or fewer licenses; no formal vote was taken and staff will revise the draft.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boone County board approves claims payment, updates coroner mutual-aid agreement and allows two members to attend electronically

Boone County eyes adding HSA and high-deductible PPO to blunt nearly $500,000 insurance bump

Boone County sheriff reports $35,000 in overtime for hospital guard shift, steady staffing and two major arrests

County backs less-invasive Woodstock Road realignment; IDOT weighing single roundabout option

Boone County board debates short-term rental licensing, considers smaller initial permit pool