[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117105,"mediaKeyId","2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813","parentId",2730911,"title","Champaign County board approves series of resolutions including treasurer appointment, opioid‑settlement uses and task force creation","audioSeconds",2465,"startMs",835000,"endMs",3300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813&start=835&end=3300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813/thumbnail_835000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117105/Champaign-County/Illinois/Champaign-County-board-approves-series-of-resolutions-including-treasurer-appointment-opioidsettlement-uses-and-task-force-creation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117105-214d0bf0c786c4ad6a775155f0384309/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040874&Signature=DDO0LUjKltem2~mzJr7SLvYqmMXZBAwPBBVWqPhhJW-zEd20YlwFSq5kZ1HsK3lm81r8lSQeJetv475O93~Gh0EX-rRjpwF9QpwAAawQ~Vn-K~Si28lx6yVf5JbI9~9~nYrQIu9947PJinv4OhVMhRzXVJ3jFCokserrLgVSvQaioOjHJbO4HUpBXQcPEp51u2CBz1rB124Qw7h2YzNsLCBm8m8X9ZmOD7aGe4wia2T3wyInhOf0Ux3PIPD2ZdQfLBJL7AtS3AinhBMSTKz9B3qpGdlPn3khPaHUtWGwfhrSbboCKYWARNYHkiba5UhTEHntY5EgWgN9pQviI00T5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Champaign County, IL","date","2025-03-22T00:35:22.987Z","article","The Champaign County Board on March 20 approved a package of resolutions that included appointing Byron Clark to fill the remainder of the county treasurer’s term, creating a county task force on carbon sequestration, authorizing the county’s notice of intent for the MS4 stormwater-permit cycle, and approving agreements to spend opioid‑settlement funds.

The actions consolidate routine administrative approvals with several higher-profile items. The board voted to appoint Byron Clark to the unexpired county treasurer term ending Nov. 30, 2026, adopted a personnel-policy update and approved several housekeeping financial measures. The board also approved agreements using opioid-settlement money for a mid-barrier shelter housing project and a public-health district agreement.

Why it matters: the treasurer appointment fills a vacancy created by a resignation effective Feb. 28, 2025; the carbon sequestration task force responds to local concern about underground CO2 storage near the Mahomet Aquifer; and the county’s MS4 filing keeps the county in compliance with the Illinois EPA while new permit requirements are pending.

Key adopted items and brief details:

• Resolution 2025‑84 — Appointment of Byron Clark as county treasurer to fill an unexpired term ending Nov. 30, 2026. Motion made from the floor, second noted; board voice vote recorded as “aye,” motion carried. The appointment followed notification procedures outlined in 10 ILCS 5/25‑11 cited in the meeting record.

• Resolution 2025‑85 — Honoring county employees for years of service (ceremonial recognition). Adopted by voice vote.

• Resolution 2025‑86 — Creation of a carbon sequestration task force as a county board select committee. The board voted to create the task force after committee recommendation; the motion carried. The board later adopted a separate resolution appointing named members to the task force and approved a ministerial correction to a community member’s name in that appointment resolution.

• Resolution 2025‑72 — Authorization for the county executive to sign the notice of intent required for the MS4 stormwater permit (program years 2024–2029). The board approved continuing current MS4 practices while awaiting a revised statewide ILR40 permit.

• Resolution 2025‑91 and 2025‑92 — Agreements using opioid-settlement funds: the board approved an agreement with CU at Home to renovate a mid‑barrier shelter campus and an agreement with the Champaign‑Urbana Public Health District for related uses. Both motions carried by voice vote.

• Resolution 2025‑93 — Waiver of broadband easement filing fees for ARPA‑funded projects in partnership with the Champaign County Clerk and Recorder. Adopted by voice vote.

• Resolution 2025‑94 — Approval to change vendors for the county employee flexible‑spending account program because of service problems with the prior vendor. Motion carried after staff explained slower reimbursements and increased administrative burden.

• Resolution 2025‑96 — Authorization for the county executive’s office to balance overdrawn lines for fiscal year 2024 (one‑time administrative action to close FY24). The action drew questions from some board members about timing; staff said the measure was a one‑time “band‑aid” to complete FY24 closeout.

• Resolutions 2025‑79 and 2025‑98 — Authorizations updating signature and facsimile signature authorities for the incoming treasurer’s bank and investment accounts. Adopted to prepare for the new treasurer taking office.

Other procedural matters included adoption of the county’s general personnel policy (an item pulled from consent for a small wording clarification), approval of payment of claims, and placement of committee summaries on file.

Votes were generally recorded by voice; where a roll call was taken for the consent agenda, each listed board member voted yes and the clerk recorded that the motion passed.

The board adjourned after completing the amended agenda. The next regular meeting and a study session were listed on the agenda packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Champaign County Board Meeting - 3/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Champaign County Board on March 20 approved a package of resolutions that included appointing Byron Clark as county treasurer, creating a carbon sequestration task force, and authorizing the county’s MS4 stormwater notice of intent.","taxTitle","Champaign County, Illinois","taxId",2552,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117092,"Union speakers press board for living wage as county moves forward with 3% nonbargaining COLA and one‑time fiscal close fixes",2454,1290000,3744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813&start=1290&end=3744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813/thumbnail_1290000.jpg","/articles/6117092/Champaign-County/Illinois/Union-speakers-press-board-for-living-wage-as-county-moves-forward-with-3-nonbargaining-COLA-and-onetime-fiscal-close-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117092-f2317d506e7cb691e0601c1d7fa17e87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040874&Signature=C0B5bJl2RV~ugotXf28OFKtQoB5QRAoWCrvW-VOr6HRkT8g35h4MHx-v0GpLiye2AFmgKkDXpKIPt0u0s68FhyMM31SgAddC-a2Q2Aqu8GAsbRw5vebKJUpCzDvPKsgvC0up1GccBzMCUVtcBghhizX9LBr4BpdgYfjBzqtDEKd0aDSZ0-YOBjS1xji9dO2c648Y0rgVnFjdl19X2I2yio4H0mj~cAtr9CUyzupMU9NlE-awECQwhpJDr4~Yk2h6hT1yXlwGmKLalF7526XrfT8kcmjpuEVsCWuqlgjcvgrR4~cMR8Ur11FVs7vMQeImiE4cln8lgFd8U3Fo-o9uxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public input at the March 20 Champaign County Board meeting, county employees and union representatives urged the board to address pay and staffing concerns while the board discussed administrative measures that affect pay or fiscal administration.

Cece Phillips, identified in the meeting as Local 900 union president and a county circuit‑clerk employee, told the board that county bargaining proposals offering 1%–2% do not meet employees’ needs and said many AFSCME members work second jobs to make ends meet. Bobby Johnson, a 20‑year county employee in the Public Defender’s Office and secretary of his AFSCME unit, described the cumulative effect of small annual increases and rising insurance costs on retention.

Board and staff responses and administrative actions:

• County staff told the board they budgeted for a 3% increase for non‑bargaining employees and now intend to implement that 3% increase with historical back pay practices; Michelle (county staff) said the increase should take effect by April at the latest.

• The board also approved a one‑time resolution authorizing the county executive to balance overdrawn lines for fiscal year 2024 so the fiscal year can be closed. Several members — including one who said the payroll split that caused the issue was known a year ago — pressed staff and elected officials on why the fix was arriving in March rather than earlier.

Why it matters: union speakers framed pay as a retention and equity issue for essential county services; staff said they were trying to balance fiscal realities and bargaining negotiations while minimizing cuts. The one‑time FY24 balancing measure was described by staff as a temporary fix to complete closeout procedures, not a permanent policy change.

Next steps: bargaining committee and labor management negotiations will continue; staff and board leaders said they will pursue the best contract the county can afford and that non‑bargaining employees will receive the 3% adjustment with back pay, per the county’s historical practice.","Public commenters representing Local 900 and AFSCME urged larger wage increases for county employees. County staff said a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for non‑bargaining employees will be implemented (with back pay) and the board approved a one‑time resolution to balance FY24 overdrawn lines; some members voiced concern about timing and planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117097,"Champaign County authorizes MS4 notice of intent while awaiting Illinois EPA rule update",139,3279000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813&start=3279&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813/thumbnail_3279000.jpg","/articles/6117097/Champaign-County/Illinois/Champaign-County-authorizes-MS4-notice-of-intent-while-awaiting-Illinois-EPA-rule-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117097-34d05004217586ab37c216feaecc674e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040874&Signature=m4Gd6LWg7fyxrUtBoiQNY4Cc8VgOiM61QkyCsTeEnjYUmhGVgD18Coa8h9QAaWHZ92UG9M82YeQ4LY2k5GVvVZocVp-17OzQjKJLsBreN1SPeBp7FwnL3ddFdagzQV7qBuk~pmCYNyqU1r~bUMtcYv1KTirEzFbuMKfvI5Gnd1-OML~JeX42X3WszikhO-DBAlE1NErObuDpShZB5ZSLD3hiaP7MxFhY96C11dLqKbe8Lyz5kBN6B-p2kyjfw-wP8U8Eggj~5~IJNkklYnRUXjEtkeL~Vl8On3xI2ZUldDqTjymhl8rXzrqef68evxM0kYi5h2UBdhSqlCo6ABiNvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Champaign County on March 20 authorized the county executive to sign the notice of intent required for the county’s MS4 stormwater permit covering program years 2024–2029, while county staff said they are awaiting a finalized Illinois EPA ILR40 permit that could impose new monitoring requirements.

John Hall, identified in the meeting as the county MS4 program contact, told the board the MS4 program runs in five‑year cycles tied to the Illinois EPA general permit (ILR40). Hall said the county missed the routine renewal last year and is seeking to re‑establish its notice of intent so the county is aligned before the state issues a revised ILR40.

Why it matters: a draft ILR40 released in 2021 included potential new requirements such as sampling stormwater discharges, which could create significant operational and cost questions for local governments if adopted. County staff said the draft changes may explain the delay in the EPA issuing a final rule.

Discussion highlights:

• Hall summarized that the county’s current program maintains mapping, public education, illicit discharge procedures and six minimum control measures but has not yet moved to a formal discharge‑sampling program.

• Board members asked about the scope of anticipated changes; staff said they were in a “wait and see” posture pending the EPA’s final permit language.

• The board approved resolution 2025‑72 by voice vote; staff will monitor ILR40 finalization and return recommendations if the permit imposes new obligations.

The county will continue its current MS4 activities and will prepare to implement any legally required changes if the Illinois EPA adopts discharge monitoring or other new requirements in the final ILR40.","County staff told the board the MS4 permit program operates in five‑year cycles; the board authorized the county executive to sign the notice of intent for program years 2024–2029 and will monitor forthcoming ILR40 permit changes that could require discharge sampling.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117101,"Champaign County board creates carbon‑sequestration task force amid local groundwater concerns",420,2856000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813&start=2856&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730911-07541eae3513c6f0477dd0c3f2a6f813/thumbnail_2856000.jpg","/articles/6117101/Champaign-County/Illinois/Champaign-County-board-creates-carbonsequestration-task-force-amid-local-groundwater-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117101-8d43e9586dca2ac070d5259a6dd46d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040874&Signature=Se1TjMrcJFedR43rLo5hrjd6RlB0T75q~B9XtppmbpdcynuH4XAJVkgeE2qCyRHkD2l-qKKiIX4rcmTKodQLhJwpuUu7vSUv0VSd94yqgEn1kdZKl-qAFZMrxqhuAwGR53b1nVmg1rKxKpUCX83kQZAPjlHb7z1P-MbHmATnUwxStB1OhfKJnHN83NIcIx2qLyGbU9cZugprYGpmDevWGUyrZR0LtN40XC34KUiqkFieR40wzp-i1hd8FAu9xJfzFCUeO8ZjD29aEHQnjlMwOfr~S959k9tUJxy74tiZw5uyfnRfTNPtTEz98220iRmPjlcGh1wB51uRWLNbg8Hm8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Champaign County Board voted March 20 to create a county select committee to study carbon sequestration and underground CO2 storage near local groundwater resources, a move driven by public and committee concern about leakage incidents and potential effects on the Mahomet Aquifer.

The board’s Environmental Land Use Committee brought the resolution forward and members emphasized a fact‑based approach. Committee chair (name not specified in the transcript) and supporters said they expect the task force to hear from local scientific experts, including speakers offered by the Prairie Research Institute, which is already conducting geophysics work to better define aquifer properties.

Why it matters: commercial carbon capture projects in Illinois have reported leaks in the past and local advocates and officials raised concerns about risks to the Mahomet Aquifer if underground sequestration is expanded. The task force is intended to compile local evidence, hear technical briefings and recommend county positions or next steps.

Discussion highlights:

• Committee members asked for careful, evidence‑based hearings. A board member referenced recent news reports and an analysis from the Prairie Rivers Network that raised concerns about an ADM carbon capture facility.

• County committee members said the county is fortunate to have regional research resources; Prairie Research Institute agreed to present on groundwater and geophysics work already under way.

• State legislation was discussed: House Bill 3614 (carbon capture/aquifer language) and Senate Bill 1723 (protection of sole source aquifer) were mentioned as moving through the Illinois General Assembly; board members were invited to submit witness slips if they wished to express positions as individuals.

The board later adopted a companion resolution appointing named members to the task force and corrected a typographical error in one appointee’s name. The task force chair indicated he expects a sequence of meetings and offered to share a mission statement and schedule with any board member who requests it.

Next steps: the Environmental Land Use Committee will provide the task force mission statement and proposed schedule to the full board and arrange technical briefings. The task force’s findings and any recommendations would return to the board for possible policy or regulatory action.","Board created a county select committee to study carbon capture and storage after committee recommendation; members will meet with Prairie Research Institute experts and monitor related state legislation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Champaign County board approves series of resolutions including treasurer appointment, opioid‑settlement uses and task force creation

Union speakers press board for living wage as county moves forward with 3% nonbargaining COLA and one‑time fiscal close fixes

Champaign County authorizes MS4 notice of intent while awaiting Illinois EPA rule update

Champaign County board creates carbon‑sequestration task force amid local groundwater concerns