The Kankakee County Board on Oct. 14 approved a package of administrative measures including health- and dental-insurance renewals, continuation of the county employee assistance program, an appointment to fill an unexpired board term and two proclamations.

The board voted to renew the county’s group medical plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield using an alternate plan (listed in committee materials as option 4). County administrator Anita Speckman told the board the negotiated renewal reduced the employer-side increase to a 10.6 percent renewal, representing a total increase of $771,800 and an employer share of $578,008.55. The finance subcommittee recommended that option after soliciting bids; three carriers declined to quote and one alternative quote returned a higher rate, Speckman said. “We were able to negotiate a couple $100,000 less,” she told the board.

The board also approved a Delta Dental renewal for the county dental plan. Staff described the county as self‑insured for dental administration with Delta Dental providing network access; the renewal reflected a 9.1 percent increase, which county staff said would raise the single‑person employee premium by about $2.64 per month and family coverage by about $7.58 per month.

Separately the board authorized continuation of the county’s employee assistance program (EAP) with All 1 Health (the vendor Perspectives was noted as the underlying provider). The EAP remains funded by the county at $1.95 per employee per month, which staff estimated costs about $12,400 annually and includes up to six telephone counseling sessions per employee.

On personnel matters the board appointed Nathan J. Benoit to fill the unexpired term of Amanda Armour Earps for District 28. The appointment was moved and seconded on the floor and approved by roll call. Board materials described Benoit as a Kankakee County native who works as a mortgage broker and holds a degree in accounting and finance.

The board accepted proclamations recognizing Dow Chemical for hosting the 2024 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) full‑scale emergency response exercise and proclaiming October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with Harbor House named in the proclamation as a local service provider for survivors.

Other routine business approved included the claims committee report for August 2025 (total claims $9,566,664.36), multiple reappointments and committee appointments on the consent agenda, department monthly reports (treasurer, collector, recorder, coroner, circuit clerk, animal control) and a resolution related to the state’s attorney appellate prosecutor program for FY2026.

The board also passed an amendment to the county animal control ordinance (chapter 10, section 18‑1); staff noted the last fee changes were in 2018 and that the update reflects comparative county fee schedules and rising costs for care and supplies.

A motion to enter executive session for pending litigation (citing 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)) was approved by roll call; the board recessed and later returned to open session before adjourning.

Votes at a glance (key items) — all items below were approved by roll call unless otherwise noted:
- Appointment: Nathan J. Benoit to fill unexpired term for District 28 (mover: Denise Turner; seconder: Laue) — outcome: approved by roll call.
- Medical insurance: authorize chairman/designee to sign agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield for county medical coverage (mover/second recorded in finance committee) — outcome: approved (subcommittee recommended alternate plan 4; employer increase estimated $578,008.55).
- Dental insurance: authorize agreement with Delta Dental for county dental coverage — outcome: approved (9.1% renewal reported).
- Employee assistance program: continue All 1 Health as EAP vendor — outcome: approved (county-funded at $1.95/employee/month).
- Animal control ordinance amendment (Ch. 10, Sec. 18‑1) — outcome: approved (staff noted last fee increase 2018).
- Claims committee report: total claims $9,566,664.36 — outcome: approved.
- Proclamation: thank you to Dow Chemical for hosting 2024 LEPC full-scale exercise — outcome: adopted by voice vote.
- Proclamation: October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Harbor House recognition) — outcome: adopted by voice vote.
- Resolution: support for state appellate prosecutor program (FY2026) — outcome: approved.
- Declaration: vacancy in District 21 (resignation of Peggy Sue Monday effective Sept. 10) — outcome: approved.
- Executive session: enter closed session for pending litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)) — outcome: approved by roll call.

Board members who participated in roll calls recorded in the transcript included members who answered ‘aye’ across the votes; the transcript shows unanimous or near‑unanimous approval on the listed administrative items. The meeting returned from executive session and adjourned.