LaSalle County board appoints James Reed to District 4, approves routine motions and moves into executive session

LaSalle County Board members on Feb. 13 approved the appointment of James Reed to represent District 4, granted remote attendance for a board member under a standing resolution, approved American Rescue Plan bills and the consent agenda, and voted to go into executive session to discuss probable imminent litigation under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The appointment filled a vacancy for District 4. Board member Mr. Small moved to approve the appointment of James Reed; Mr. Stockley seconded the motion, which the board approved by voice vote. Following the vote, the board administered the oath of office and Reed introduced himself: “I'm Jim Reed. I'm, from Northfield Township. Just turned 65 years old, and I got a 13 year old daughter at home. My wife is sitting here with me, Pamela,” he said, and described his background as a U.S. Marine and former police officer who currently drives a school bus for the city of Savannah.

Board members also approved a motion to allow remote attendance for Craig Emmett pursuant to Resolution 23‑503. The motion was moved by Mr. Gadsett and seconded by Ms. Bush; the board approved the motion by voice vote after Mr. Emmett stated he was “at work” as the reason for remote participation.

Other routine business approved by the board included the prior meeting minutes, the consent agenda and payments tied to American Rescue Plan funding. A motion to approve the American Rescue Plan bills was made and seconded and carried by voice vote; the record in the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally for those motions.

Near the close of the public session, the board voted to enter an executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) (Illinois Open Meetings Act) to discuss probable or imminent litigation. Mr. Stockley moved to go into executive session and Mr. Traeger seconded; the motion carried on roll call with multiple members recorded as voting aye. The board recessed into executive session; no further public action was recorded in the provided transcript.

During the public comment period, Lynn Vermillion, representing State Representative Chris Balcoma’s office, introduced the representative’s legislative liaison program and left contact information for constituents. Vermillion said Balcoma’s district covers many towns and encouraged residents to sign up for a weekly newsletter and to check the office website for available museum and zoo vouchers.

Votes at a glance - Remote attendance for Craig Emmett (pursuant to Resolution 23‑503): motion by Mr. Gadsett; second by Ms. Bush; outcome: approved by voice vote. Reason for remote attendance recorded as “I am at work.” - Appointment of James Reed to LaSalle County Board, District 4: motion by Mr. Small; second by Mr. Stockley; outcome: approved by voice vote; oath administered and Reed spoke on his background. - Approval of prior meeting minutes: outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approval of American Rescue Plan bills: mover and seconder recorded in the transcript; outcome: approved by voice vote (no roll‑call tally recorded in transcript). - Consent agenda: approved by voice vote. - Motion to enter executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) (probable or imminent litigation): motion by Mr. Stockley; second by Mr. Traeger; outcome: approved on roll call (multiple members recorded voting aye).