DeKalb County Health & Human Services Committee met Jan. 5.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, January 5, 2026, in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Rukisha Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The members present were Tim Bagby, Kim Coovert, Suzanne Fahnestock, Elizabeth Lundeen, Michelle Pickett, and Chair Rukisha Crawford. A quorum was established with six members present and one member absent.
Deanna from the Mental Health Board was also present.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Tim Bagby motioned to approve the agenda, Rukisha Crawford seconded the motion, motion carried in the affirmative.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Suzanne Fahnestock moved to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025 meeting, Tim Bagby seconded the motion, motion carried in the affirmative.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Mental Health Board- Grant Year 2025 Senior Tax Levy Overview
Deanna from the Mental Health Board advised the Committee that the Grant applications are available and open online as of December 2025. They will close February 23, 2026. She believes the amount should be close to 500K to be allocated to qualifying applicants. Anticipated timeline is as follows:
March: Review of applications
April: Hearings
May: Allocation of Funds (tentative)
Questions arose about increases due to Senior population. Also putting a policy in place or changing verbiage/language in current policy pertaining to allocating funds in an accelerated time if needed.
b. Mental Health Board- Opioid Settlement Fund Update
Deanna stated she has filled out the application for the settlement and is acquiring all the information needed to turn in to the State, she stated funds will be available in year 2026 and will keep the
Committee updated. She went on to mention The MHB (Mental Health Board) has Grief Surveys on the DeKalb County page under MHB site and they are doing great work with the community and with suicide prevention.
ACTIONS
JHC Struck from Agenda. No Actions.
ORDINANCES
No ordinances presented.
RESOLUTIONS
a. R2026-011- Resolution Authorizing the DCRNC to increase the maintenance supervisor’s hourly rate of pay at the DCRNC to the amount of $28.85.
The Committee voted unanimously to schedule a Special Meeting next week on January 14, 2026 at 6 PM once more information can be obtained from Bart Becker to make any further decisions.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
ADJOURNMENT
It was motioned by Elizabeth Lundeen and seconded by Suzanne Fahnestock to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. The motion carried in the affirmative.
https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/minutes-hhs-01052026.pdf
