Health and Community Services Committee Meeting - November 4, 2025

The Health and Community Services Committee convened on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 8:32 AM, with a physical quorum present and Member Kniesnik participating electronically. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call noting the absence of Member Bester Altenberg. The committee reviewed routine business, approved two emergency appropriations for health programs, and addressed member inquiries regarding budget vacancy calculations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda from the October 7th meeting via unanimous motion by Vice Chair Cunningham, seconded by Member Kasbin.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Emergency Appropriation for CCSO Program (Item 8.2):

  • Proposal: Approval of an emergency appropriation of $74,642 for fiscal year 2026 to fund a Care Coordination and Support Organization (CCSO) program for Medicaid-enrolled youth with behavioral health challenges. The funds cover one new position, equipment, and supplies to manage an existing backlog of 72 youth.
  • Position Summary: The proposal initially described funding as "additional grant funding." During deliberation, Member Cunningham and others identified this as an inaccuracy. An amendment was successfully passed to correct the resolution, clarifying that the funding source is "increased reimbursement rates from the Department of Health Care and Family Services" (Medicaid), not a grant.
  • Staff Testimony: Michelle Esser, CC, stated the CCSO program, launched in January 2023, serves youth under 21 in a least restrictive setting, having served approximately 260 youth over the past two years. The new position is intended to meet the increasing demand and adhere to state requirements.
  • Member Inquiry: Member Frank asked if the care coordinator would assist clients with Medicaid coverage verification requirements starting next year. Staff confirmed that care coordinators actively assist families with mail and employment verification processes.

• Emergency Appropriation for Disease Intervention Specialist Grant (Item 8.3):

  • Proposal: Approval of an emergency appropriation of $46,804.37 for fiscal year 2025 to accept additional carryover funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health to expand the Disease Intervention Specialist Workforce Development Support Grant. The funds must be expended by December.
  • Deliberation: Staff noted this was an increase to an existing grant with no additional questions from the committee.

Member Remarks

• Vacancy Factors and Formulas:
  • Member Maine: Expressed that while the Health Department and County use different formulas to calculate vacancy factors, both methods yield the same result. Member Maine stated, "different departments have different needs" and are not forced to adopt a uniform formula, citing the difficulty of filling specialized roles like psychiatrists and dentists, which would be disadvantaged by rigid vacancy policies.
  • Member Hart: Confirmed that the committee was making changes to allow additional time for difficult-to-fill positions, acknowledging the need for flexibility rather than strict uniformity.
  • Member Cunningham: Clarified that the committee was previously questioning the Health Department's methods, prompting the public clarification. Member Cunningham supported the view that "different ways to get to four" exist and that strict policy compliance should not hinder the ability to fill critical roles.

Key Outcomes

• Action Passed: Motion to amend Item 8.2 to update the "Whereas" clause regarding the funding source from "grant funding" to "increased reimbursement rates from the Department of Health Care and Family Services."
• Action Passed: Approval of the amended emergency appropriation of $74,642 for the CCSO program.
• Action Passed: Approval of the emergency appropriation of $46,804.37 for the Disease Intervention Specialist program.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for December 2, 2025.
• Correction Note: The agenda bulletin for Item 8.2 contained inaccurate bullet points regarding "additional grant funding." The committee agreed the agenda would be corrected for the final County Board vote after this Committee approval.