Resident raises employment dispute at Iroquois County Health Committee; committee reviews animal-control and public-health reports and votes to enter executive 

A public comment at the Iroquois County Health Committee on May 6 turned to an apparent employment dispute when Linda Rebar told the committee she had not been terminated and had not resigned from her animal-control role and that a resignation letter and a retraction were both with the state's attorney.

"All of the information is currently with the state's attorney," Rebar said during public comment and said she had not received a response; committee members said the matter would be handled with the state's attorney and suggested discussing it in executive session because it is an employment matter.

After receiving the public comment and routine reports, the committee voted to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) (the Illinois Open Meetings Act provision allowing closed discussion of appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees). The motion to go into executive session was seconded and approved by voice vote, with members answering "Aye." The committee directed Jill to remain for the session. No substantive personnel decision was recorded in the public minutes at the May 6 meeting.

The committee also heard routine operational reports. Animal-control staff member Jill reported last month's deposit was $4,680; the department was holding five dogs and four cats; and the office handled 31 cases and 35 reports that included two injured-animal calls, 23 running-loose reports, seven nuisance calls and five "ball checks" (transcript term). Jill said the department was holding one animal related to a deceased person and was awaiting family contact. She reported facility improvements under way — lights are functioning and staff are pursuing gate and kennel doors — and said some of the work used remaining local tribal funds allocated for the Animal Control Building.

Public-health staff reviewed environmental- and community-health activity. Items noted included 11 temporary permits issued in preparation for a county fair, 41 tobacco-compliance inspections, and about 12 radon kits distributed at the health department. Staff reported community-clinic activity including 34 childhood immunizations and a school-physical and sports-physical clinic scheduled for May 17 in partnership with a local provider. Staff said they had received reports and complaints about the Buckley Water Supply while work was underway there; the water supply had been cleared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency according to the presenter.

Staff also reported six animal-bite incidents during the month; one child under age 3 received post-exposure treatment and the bat tested negative for disease, the presenter said. Senior-services caseload rose to about 204 clients for the month for reasons staff said were not clear. Staff said a program tied to a regional provider (described in the report as WakeMed) is expected to begin in July and will include space at the public-health office for periodic assessments; staff said they will provide more details as arrangements are finalized.

No county action to change employment status was taken publicly at the May 6 meeting; committee members stated they were awaiting the state's attorney's guidance and moved the matter into executive session as permitted by state law.