An easier to read copy is shown after the photocopy.
When a “Duck” Is a “Duck”
Since the Illinois Department of Agriculture examined the Boone County animal shelter a few years ago, the
place has been an embarrassment. Members of the Boone County Board, residents of the county and some from
adjoining counties are outraged that county government would treat feral animals in such a way. The same people
are also angered at the inability of county government to define or to outlaw “puppy mills.”
In response to this failure, members of county government created an “Ad-Hoc Committee for Boarding and
Breeding Facilities.” This path is dangerous because the group is closely allied with county government, the group
wants to amend county code sheltered from public “interference” and they are near to violating the Illinois Open
Meetings Act.
Creation of the Committee occurred when the chairman of the County Board appointed people to serve without
County Board approval. To her credit, the county state’s attorney advised the founders of the Committee to abide
by the open meetings act and to provide public notice of their meetings. However, material obtained by The
Journal suggests that open meetings and public disclosure was not their intention.
The document obtained arose over the name, Denny Ellingson, a District #1 legislator on the Boone County
Board. The date of this document is January 7, 2015.
In the second paragraph, the author wrote:
“Please remember, this is an advisory ad-hoc committee which means we do not have to post public agendas or
open our meetings for the public to attend. Please do not tell others about where or when these meetings are set
forth so that we can meet without interference. When we get our work done the public will get a chance to review
our thoughts and decisions as our proposed ordinances will back through the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) and
the PZB (Planning, Zoning and Building committee of the Boone County Board) before the County Board gets as
chance to adopt them.”
These are stunning admissions. The number of questionable and potentially illegal admissions noted here
reaches double digits.
The author said the group was advisory but without guidelines to govern the group it is questionable just what
the Committee is, other than an extension of county government. The conclusion that the group does not need to
conform to provide notice of their meetings is contrary to an opinion offered by the state’s attorney. This advice in
the letter violates the “spirit” of the law but we have often noted, ethics are for losers. If the Committee does not
need to provide formal notice of their meetings they then might conclude that they need not conform to the Open
Meetings Act. This could be problematic because the County Board chairman appointed the members to serve and
also because of the Committee’s tight connection to county government.
Further, the author asked that members, “Please do not tell others where or when these meetings are set.”
Really? It is an arguable point but, is not this a request of the members to violate Illinois law? This language
appearing over the signature of an elected official is a damaging admission that requires explanation.
There’s more. The author continues claiming, because of this conclusion, the Committee can avoid the
“interference” that the public might create. It is presumed the author would include the press as an objectionable
“interference.” Asking members not to tell anyone of future meetings to avoid “interference” is an insult.
The author assumes that any activity to emerge from their meetings will be blindly approved by the ZBA and
the PZB as a prelude to being lamely enacted by the County Board. This level of confidence is enhanced by moves
made by County Board leadership to pack the panel with those that are like-minded. The hubris of this policy is
beyond belief and should be of concern to all who voted for these “alleged” legislators.
It is uncertain if any members of the Committee voiced concern over what was written and it would be
disappointing if no one questioned the policy. But, perhaps this egotism is to be expected when people are
appointed to serve the needs of the community without needing any further approval.
This activity confirms a position voiced in a previous Editorial presented here. Some elected officials believe
that their view and views of their friends are the only views that need to be heard. Some leaders appoint friends to
do their bidding and to run a government to please a singular view while ignoring anyone with a different point-of-
view.
It appears the current leader sees the Board as an extension of himself and he has appointed those to committees
that compliment his singular view.
The effort of this ad-hoc committee is not designed to resolve a problem in county government through greater
openness, the stated goal is to keep their activity out of public sight. It is apparent that an open vision of public
policy is sorely lacking in Boone County government. But for a couple members, the current County Board is
populated by “yes-men” who are willing to do the bidding of the leader.
Another example of the impact of this closed policy was found in a recent change in position expressed by the
Boone County regional planning commission regarding a proposed text amendment. This change did not occur
because of amended language or altered intent, the change occurred because of a change in membership on the
commission. Is anyone truly surprised?
The Boone County Journal is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-02-20-15.pdf#page=1
To read the email quoted in the editorial, go to the bottom of the following Boone County Watchdog posting: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2015/02/did-boone-countys-ad-hoc-committee.html
