[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6212830,"mediaKeyId","3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1","parentId",3683259,"title","Finance committee recommends $25,000 short-term advance to veterans assistance office to cover timing shortfall","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",2175000,"endMs",2327000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1&start=2175&end=2327","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1/thumbnail_2175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212830/Iroquois-County/Illinois/Finance-committee-recommends-25000-short-term-advance-to-veterans-assistance-office-to-cover-timing-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212830-2c3cbe77f5680058301631b9f6823f88/orig.mp4?Expires=1773511013&Signature=HLutuCF8fqV~~Cfgc9fCA6q-4qBpuxBk2B-YkjsIWnb0PB008tSIluEYloaXujZBqfdI8j8-PpycZVxZMSmrwRrk8cfEiRc26-7tvYvMnYxusH1X2tB-uIv3W7YvFkp7T0~jj1ckTncz3kRc45NO9cg0uINy0YHubvS9JY9h5-1eoASHjp6kCkT3vGzPyrawII3RErnQHMom2BxNF-DDCsjONT8aUnJk4RGWa8kn7LujJBtvN~FDP~McfpDI~GADWGibe4d1xQxYXqZx4cuFwbv2eipaVP0kOQk4yUfBRJQ~CsP7NjsHapjDgUvQTuf4fLP75uDvYIzCjJBC0JbeTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iroquiois County, IL","date","2025-06-05T17:15:42Z","article","Members of the county finance committee told the board the veterans assistance office sometimes faces timing differences between expenditures and revenue from tax assessments and requested a short-term advance to cover cash-flow gaps.

The committee recommended making a $25,000 advance from the county general fund to the veterans assistance office. Committee members said the office maintains separate bank accounts and that the advance would be recovered; the finance discussion indicated repayment could be structured over multiple years but that final terms would be documented in a written agreement. The committee emphasized the county would require a formal repayment plan and a written agreement to avoid past problems where informal loans lacked documentation.

Nut graf: The recommendation is intended to stabilize a narrow timing problem, not to create ongoing subsidy. Finance staff said the county handles payroll but does not otherwise manage the veterans office cash flow; the board requested that any advance be accompanied by a written agreement specifying repayment terms and reporting to the board.

Next steps: The finance committee will prepare the written agreement and proposed repayment schedule for board consideration at an upcoming meeting. Committee members also recommended counseling the veterans office on budget practices to avoid recurrence.

Ending: The finance committee said it will bring the agreement and terms back to the full board for approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6-5-2025 P&P Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members reported that the veterans assistance office faces occasional timing gaps between receipts and expenditures; the finance group recommended a $25,000 advance from the general fund to be recovered under agreed repayment terms.","taxTitle","Iroquois County, Illinois","taxId",67072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212834,"County told ShowBus may stop service; officials discuss transition options and contracts",287,4557000,4844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1&start=4557&end=4844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1/thumbnail_4557000.jpg","/articles/6212834/Iroquois-County/Illinois/County-told-ShowBus-may-stop-service-officials-discuss-transition-options-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212834-4b4cde0492c369fbc3a1c3748e5cbde4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773511013&Signature=E9IDU3iM4lsOhgPT7TjeVfA5~WThQPDdzuN9IsYWBT72tQqua61Mq24M2h35Kp5O1fE0KK-WuHz611dK1AnF8BIH5WjVG7meEssc1cypv9qrtlIbS3HSezSPmUclL1eXedUDgxGlTjyc8hAadVnh6ChkmXNNVpVzlH~gXTVDj8ko7osznaSZPkMf2qidHB-1oUmBXZovpd1vI1HawrVPuvZ8QhJ9~DSkGDeYzUqa~0ovt2pbR8lMs9860zEpxh4a1HWwW~FdJJWtTOg4HuLeoHuEM9IBQDcuqq6ghqxacH2NhP4rFPwlJAMSm1TaGxH8LO3RElVuIpxub1hR-TOKUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials told the board that ShowBus — a local provider used under contract for rural transportation — indicated it may no longer service parts of Iroquois County, prompting discussion of transition options and inter-county contracts.

Committee members who attended regional meetings said Vermilion County provider Chris (as referenced in the meeting) and other operators have capacity to absorb some routes but not immediately; a three- to six-month transition was discussed as preferable to a sudden handoff. Monty, Jamie and Donna (committee members) said the county currently has only one active contract (with the ARC) and must expand provider contracts to maintain service. A representative said Fort County and Livingston County have been coordinating contracts and garage/office arrangements to preserve service in a multi-county region.

Nut graf: Rural transportation is largely contract-driven; the board heard that preserving the service will require negotiating new contracts, pursuing available state or inter-county arrangements, and conducting outreach to potential providers. The committee noted a November/IDOT funding landscape and the need to identify local contracts that could cover matching costs.

Next steps: Committee members will continue outreach with potential providers, pursue a free state survey tool to identify local needs and examine contract terms; staff will bring contract language and service plans back to future meetings. Members emphasized the urgency of keeping services for seniors and residents with mobility needs intact while new providers or contracts are negotiated.

Ending: Board members urged staff to prioritize transportation contracting and community outreach to keep the rural rides program operational while a transition plan is finalized.","County transportation planners said a contracted provider, ShowBus, signaled it may end service in the county; board members discussed transitional contracts, a possible provider from Vermilion County stepping up and the need to preserve rural transit service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212839,"EMA reports hazmat response, haboob and new local weather monitoring tools; training set for July 22",1463,56000,1519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1&start=56&end=1519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1/thumbnail_56000.jpg","/articles/6212839/Iroquois-County/Illinois/EMA-reports-hazmat-response-haboob-and-new-local-weather-monitoring-tools-training-set-for-July-22","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212839-7a4b05f5c576ef1bb0fa491b1c51d929/orig.mp4?Expires=1773511013&Signature=DdajbtjrZlfPGus6XtQXJF~M1QZhr1LRLXzaUT8vax2J610qJax0dlJI-5SnVmMhD6ArApM8NEV14pPXf2OQSWNPmYbkJ8abDrWeg2GBiq2HthzLJn-VHuddK7d36AYBJiDmGl95gjcoQcuIbYPlo5493qWbo~~mmwqhcpJ~uzF2OqXyK4tfusbivuiFuzgkCHJK23kPOSaN6syB~3o-f0m9NoXdNuNI5GmaP176sh4u479oCk8Yohw4DNE4VHZXt95NXbCcDJ-GUbjoTx9cjKEiPrk-ujeFnptv7nXigfZJ3B8f-8xi~hrOvH5peUpH8wfPm4RkN2SSrQJVcCj~zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency coordinator Mister Anderson summarized recent incidents and new equipment purchases, saying EMA supported a hazardous-materials response on May 13 after an oversized load flipped and that a May 16 haboob (dust storm) produced measured gusts up to 55 mph at the courthouse parking lot.

Anderson said fire crews mitigated diesel fuel leaks at the rollover and that the overturned crane did not discharge hundreds of gallons of hydraulic fluid as initially feared. He described documenting the dust event with a newly acquired professional anemometer and taking photos; those local wind readings were shared with the National Weather Service and assisted county decisions to clear outdoor events at Sequium High School. Anderson also said EMA installed a professional Davis weather station on the administration building roof; the station is publishing continuous local weather data to the EMA webpage and Facebook page and will be relocated slightly to improve accuracy because it now sits above HVAC units that skew temperature readings.

Nut graf: Anderson said the equipment improves local situational awareness for incident commanders and hazard responders because it provides immediate, site-specific wind, temperature and humidity data rather than relying on distant airport reports. He also listed recent EMA purchases paid from his budget: a professional handheld anemometer and DOT-compliant reflective coats for field safety.

Training and planning: Anderson invited Chairman Ducat and Vice Chairman Watts to an administrative-preparedness training with the health department at 9 a.m. July 22 in the county EOC; he said the training will test short- and long-term funding procedures for major health incidents and exercises the county’s purchase operations plan. He also said the county is awaiting FEMA and state approval of the local hazard mitigation plan and that the availability of mitigation grant funds prompted the siren proposal discussed elsewhere on the agenda.

Ending: Anderson said he will continue to publish weather-station data online and to follow up on the hazard-mitigation-plan timeline and grant application work.","Iroquois County EMA reported responses to a hazardous-materials truck rollover and a haboob/dust event, said a professional weather station and handheld anemometer are now in use, and invited board members to an administrative preparedness training at the county EOC on July 22.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212844,"Board hears problems with siren testing, logging after new ICOM warning policy took effect",179,946000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1&start=946&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1/thumbnail_946000.jpg","/articles/6212844/Iroquois-County/Illinois/Board-hears-problems-with-siren-testing-logging-after-new-ICOM-warning-policy-took-effect","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212844-8337166275b02fcd70ad3a995457a9d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773511013&Signature=WleeAxGhnc8jIjXE7~DNOvix6PPcUMhLYrMKJW8jqoO--JVIQl6kz-wT~gIOepbdFHumOvl5ixk9LDHmTizicZ4-lJEGkk97vKIXunXdIoW6RZNtc0PzlcXHAhsxtMKjdUA7lNhYzF1pTFTP1hKzoDceQfzRvmhB0OQQKIH~PmKQ-zA~s-4cx4g2Kt1kfFQP7Bxkx73gG45d4vo8A8s977p8hMo7BHzVbPLAHcd-AYZxrqgTJ1Yg8aS5U8GrsSU7-SmwxXBzou9pptjdSXj7avc0d3F-ByDtXHgskJ4Nq4bjE8YQdYavxm7tk-15SjXd3PYlAZG0J46zauRWBL9Iwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iroquois County emergency management officials reported continuing problems with the countywide siren network after ICOM adopted a new warning-systems policy that took effect May 23. EMA coordinator Mister Anderson said the newer policy should require sirens to sound automatically when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, but tests and activations have not worked reliably across jurisdictions.

Anderson told the board that during routine monthly testing only the city of Watsika’s sirens sounded; other county sirens did not. He said ICOM’s telecommunicators complete a monthly log that notes which sirens sounded and which did not. Anderson said he has now requested those logs be scanned and emailed to the EMA office monthly so he can follow up with village officials when tests fail. He emphasized that maintenance responsibility for individual-jurisdiction sirens rests with those jurisdictions, not the county.

Nut graf: The board discussed who may request siren activations under the new policy. Anderson said requests to activate sirens may come from designated public-safety officials (on-duty police, fire chiefs, the sheriff, county chairman or their designee and Illinois State Police), and he recommended removing a public phone line for unsolicited public requests to reduce false activations.

Among issues Anderson raised: during recent severe-weather events some jurisdictions were not notified in the first round of warnings and officials had to prompt ICOM to sound sirens; one monthly test produced onboard activation tones at dispatch that did not result in countywide siren activations. Anderson said ICOM acknowledged the problem and was investigating possible frequency or configuration issues. He asked the board to treat the ICOM policy as a living document and to allow minor changes as they identify operational problems.

Ending: Anderson said he will issue a countywide retest notice and publicize it on the EMA Facebook page once ICOM resolves the technical issue; he also said he will follow up with village officials when tests show failures so municipalities are aware and can arrange retesting or local repairs.","County emergency management says a new dispatch (ICOM) warning policy took effect May 23, but monthly siren tests and actual activations failed in several jurisdictions; EMA coordinator requested monthly log copies and clarified who may request siren activation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212849,"Iroquois County board approves up to $10,000 local match to pursue state hazard-mitigation grant for fairgrounds siren",545,369000,914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1&start=369&end=914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683259-5c91236306dcd61276e17bdbc835f0b1/thumbnail_369000.jpg","/articles/6212849/Iroquois-County/Illinois/Iroquois-County-board-approves-up-to-10000-local-match-to-pursue-state-hazard-mitigation-grant-for-fairgrounds-siren","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212849-7d6684d3f67f5016f22d22e0a4be6deb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773511013&Signature=WZ-jnOFkceb0lwR2476UwyxfmowV263PGiVNaNRf4ngrjh3cPwZNb6iFfzuF-bBpYNUrev9yzDrVQlkgMMg9kUUDBnfU77bsfb7nICxk6krbEUT~KD0W~btPlE7lkWgh5HVWu2gbQHV2JhmIqIQO32rtODEqwPydvrS21mCLlQgdyFz~tpVhx2BD8iwniOloQJirPNn6qzPxow2w8IVkXFnMp2OOc6dFT4trFTo~DyeI~2RT55SiLbuDI5KfsxNz1c5vo0XhIGLKROdQInAoIV-5celwRUH2aC-yZ6ZphmV6RJhxuu27e8g8pmWS7MFxNHIyymndpIZv5uNDDLz8eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iroquois County emergency management officials told the county board they will apply for a state hazard-mitigation grant to install a warning siren at the county fairgrounds and the board approved committing an approximate 25% local match — about $10,000 — so the county can submit a complete application by the program’s June 20 deadline.

EMA coordinator Mister Anderson told the board the state made surplus federal mitigation funds available to counties with approved hazard-mitigation plans and projects; the siren project is one of the county’s prioritized items. He said the full Federal Signal turnkey installation he researched would cost about $40,000 and would include site work, pole installation and voice-capable alerting. Anderson said the county’s electrical cooperative would likely provide the on-site hookup, and in-kind labor or invoiced work by the cooperative could be counted toward the county match.

Nut graf: The county must submit the entire application package by June 20 to be eligible for the competitive funding pool. Board members pressed for confirmation that the fairboard, local fire department and the electrical cooperative had been contacted; Anderson said he had reached out but was still awaiting formal commitments. The board’s vote authorized staff to submit a letter of intent and proceed with the application, with the county committing to provide the local share if the grant is awarded.

Board procedure and outcome: A board member made the motion to approve the county covering roughly 25% of the project cost; a second was recorded and the motion was approved by voice vote. The transcript does not list an itemized roll-call tally; Anderson noted that if the county is awarded the grant it could decline or modify acceptance later.

Background and next steps: Anderson described the project as a public-safety priority at fair time, when large outdoor crowds and frequent summer storms increase the need to warn people on-site. The application is 38 pages plus required supplements, he said, and he selected a smaller project to avoid lengthy engineering requirements. He said he would continue outreach to the fairboard and local fire department to document partners and any additional local funding before the June 20 submission. If the county receives an award, staff will return to the board for formal acceptance and any required budget adjustments.

Ending: Anderson said he would file the letter of intent and try to return to the board Tuesday with updated information from the fairboard and the cooperative. The application deadline, as stated in the meeting, is June 20.","County emergency management sought state grant funds to install a warning siren at the county fairgrounds and the board approved committing roughly 25% (about $10,000) as a local match so staff can submit the application by the June 20 deadline.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee recommends $25,000 short-term advance to veterans assistance office to cover timing shortfall

County told ShowBus may stop service; officials discuss transition options and contracts

EMA reports hazmat response, haboob and new local weather monitoring tools; training set for July 22

Board hears problems with siren testing, logging after new ICOM warning policy took effect

Iroquois County board approves up to $10,000 local match to pursue state hazard-mitigation grant for fairgrounds siren