PEORIA, Ill. — Outside the Peoria County Courthouse Friday morning, city leaders discuss ending social injustice in the community and amendments to the Peoria County budget.
County Board Chair Andrew Rand said that on Tuesday next week there will be a special meeting to amend the county’s budget that will impact funding for the elections commissions, Sheriff’s Office, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The economic conditions will cost Peoria County over the next two budget cycles $32 million.
“A few weeks ago, we made the decisions to reduce the current year spending plan,” Rand said.
The county’s general fund has a multi-million dollar surplus, which will be used to help the Sheriff’s Office, Election Commission, and State’s Attorney’s Office.
Rand introduced Scott Sorrell, Peoria County Administrator, to explain the budget amendments.
“It’s roughly $853,500,” Sorrell said.
If the budget amendments are approved next week, the Election Commission will receive $300,000, the Sheriff’s Office will receive $449,000, and the State Attorney’s Officer will receive $104,000.
To battle injustice within the criminal justice system, Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said she is asking for funding for two employees, an attorney and social worker.
“Both, that will specialize and focus on identifying, correcting, and preventing social injustices that occur in our criminal justice system,” Hoos said.
Hoos said over the years, there have been improvements in the criminal justice system.
“Especially in the areas such as mental health issues, substance abuse, drug and alcohol abuse issues,” Hoos said.
“However, the events over the past few weeks have made it clear that more work needs to be done, particularly with regards to minority communities and race relations.”
Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell said because of the failures in the criminal justice system, the jail by design has become a mental health center.
Due to previous cuts to the county’s budget, Asbell said many programs at the jail were cut to keep law enforcement on the street.
“Programs like our re-entry coordinator and re-entry programs, cognitive behavior therapy, MRT, jobs programs,” Asbell said.
Asbell said he believes in hiring ex-offenders for positions and hopes to hire another re-entry coordinator.
“So they can be part of the community. There’s a sense of trust between those individuals and those that are incarcerated in the jail,” Asbell said.
When elections roll around in November, things will look different according to Election Commission Director Thomas Bride.
Bride said a bill on the governor’s desk is expected to dramatically increase vote by mail.
“Whether they want to vote by mail, because they are more comfortable at home, whether they want to vote early, and making sure those locations are safe and secure,” Bride said.
Safety precautions will also be in place if voters choose to come to a polling location.
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