Will County finance committee appoints Ortiz chair, approves budget transfers and tax-sale assignments

Member Ortiz was appointed chair and the Will County Finance Committee approved a series of routine financial items during a meeting that also included questions about funds tied to a coroner program supported by Laurie Children’s.

The committee approved the appointment after a motion to appoint Member Ortiz as chair was made and carried on a voice vote. Committee members then approved the minutes, a transfer of appropriations within health-department budgets for capital machinery and equipment, the assignment of tax-sale certificates, and an appropriation into the coroner’s budget. All recorded motions carried by voice vote.

The transfer of appropriations in the health department was moved by Member Winfrey and seconded by Member Trainier; committee members voted in favor with Butler, Ortiz, Ashley, Trainier and Winfrey recorded as voting yes during roll call. The assignment of tax-sale certificates was moved by Member Trainier and seconded by Member Winfrey and also carried by voice vote. A motion to appropriate bonds into the coroner’s budget was moved (mover and seconder recorded during the meeting) and approved after brief discussion.

During discussion of the coroner appropriation a committee member asked whether the funds related to DNA testing or identifying remains. A coroner’s office representative said the money is funding Laurie Children’s program from funding provided last year and indicated it is being used for operating supplies. Mary, a staff member from the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, said she had looked the program up and that it “says it’s money to support parents who lost a child unexpectedly.” The coroner’s office representative said they were not sure whether the appropriation related to DNA testing or identification work.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn; the committee set its next meeting for Feb. 4, 2025.

Votes at a glance - Appointment of Member Ortiz as chair — motion carried (voice vote). No recorded no/abstain votes noted. - Approval of meeting minutes — motion by Member Trainier, second by Member Oxley; carried (roll-call indicated all present voting yes). - Transfer of appropriations within health department (capital machinery and equipment) — motion by Member Winfrey, second by Member Trainier; carried (voice vote). - Assignment of tax-sale certificates — motion by Member Trainier, second by Member Winfrey; carried (voice vote). - Appropriation of bonds into coroner’s budget — motion carried after discussion; committee asked for clarification about use of funds.

The committee did not identify a dollar amount for the coroner appropriation in the meeting record and no formal amendment was recorded. Committee members asked for clarification about the coroner-related program; the coroner’s office representative described the funding as from Laurie Children’s and for operating supplies, while Mary from the State’s Attorney’s Office characterized the program as supporting parents who lost a child unexpectedly.