Will County health officials report uncertainty over public health grant funding after court filings

Elizabeth Bellotto, a health department official, told the Will County Board of Health the department is awaiting a court ruling that could affect multiple public health grants and the department’s ability to seek reimbursement for spending.

Bellotto said the temporary restraining order (TRO) that had been limiting a state action was set to expire April 29 and that the state filed supplemental briefing; as of the meeting she said, “we have not heard anything” on a ruling. She said the department does not know whether the TRO has been extended and is awaiting further information from the state.

Bellotto told board members the department’s respiratory surveillance grant is a known active award: “our respiratory surveillance grant, which was a million dollar grant over 2 years.” She said other statewide amounts she was given included a larger figure and related funds to IDPH, which she reported as background from state communications.

Member Hickey asked how many physicians at the health department are funded by federal grants; Bellotto said the department provided a spreadsheet to the board that breaks out exempt staff, union staff, part‑time and full‑time employees and grant end dates. She said some grants expire June 30 and the department has a plan to notify the union and consider contracting with community organizations if grants are not renewed. “If we don't hear by June 1, we're going to start looking at, do other, community based organizations provide these services?” Bellotto said.

She said the department asked the union for contingency planning and that, depending on grant renewals, staff could receive 30‑day notices. For the respiratory grant specifically, Bellotto said two positions are funded under that award.

Bellotto also reported on the county’s micro‑pantry program: a camera captured a person knocking over a micro‑pantry early one Sunday; the individual could not be identified and a police report was filed; facilities staff repaired the unit. She provided an update on measles cases: “IDPH just put out a notice that there's 1 in Suburban Cook County and 1 in Chicago,” and said the department is monitoring the situation.

Bellotto and the board also discussed community outreach. She thanked staff for a recent public forum that drew more than 70 attendees and said department staff will send the forum’s prioritized initiatives to board members when available.

The board received the report and asked for the spreadsheet of grant staffing and end dates. No formal board action was taken beyond accepting the report; staff indicated they will return with details if grant renewals do not arrive.

The transcript does not include the state court filings, the TRO text, or final decisions about staffing; Bellotto advised the board the department is continuing to operate while awaiting clarification on funding and reimbursement.