A new era in Tazewell County government began Wednesday.
New County Board Chairman Brett Grimm ran his first regular monthly board meeting since taking the reins from David Zimmerman, who retired late last year after 27 years as chairman.
Grimm isn't a stranger in the James Carius Community Room at the Tazewell County Justice Center in Pekin, where the board meets.
He served as a county board member for 10 years and the county auditor for four years before being elected unopposed as the board chairman in November.
One item of business during the board's 29-minute meeting Wednesday was bittersweet for Grimm.
Board member Bill Atkins' resignation was accepted by the board. Atkins was named the Moline city attorney late last year. His first day on the job was Jan. 13.
Grimm said after the board meeting that he was sad that Atkins left the board, but he understood the reason.
"I was looking forward to working with Bill because of his personality, insight, and knowledge of and experience in the positions he served in on the board," Grimm said.
"To have an opportunity to become Moline's city attorney is something no one can begrudge him. Moline got a great guy in Bill and I wish him the very best."
In his resignation letter, sent to Grimm on Dec. 31, Atkins said he enjoyed his six years on the board and even though he's excited about his new position, he regrets leaving the board.
Atkins was re-elected to his seat in District 3 in November.
"I was looking forward to completing the projects that have occupied the board over the last few years, such as the Justice Center Annex, and I also was looking forward to beginning many new projects for the citizens of Tazewell County," Atkins wrote.
"I take comfort in the knowledge that you (Grimm) and my fellow board members, as well as the other Tazewell County elected officials, will still provide exemplary service to the citizens of Tazewell County regardless of the lack of my contributions."
Atkins was serving as the all-Republican 21-member board's parliamentarian. A new one will be appointed.
Adtkins was a private practice attorney for nearly 10 years before taking the Moline job. He was an assistant state's attorney in Livingston, Tazewell and Peoria counties from 1995-2015 and an assistant public defender in Peoria County from 2015-2020.
A replacement for Atkins, who lived in Washington while serving on the board, will likely be appointed at the February board meeting.
Board members get a taste of the Washington Bicentennial celebration
Five members of the Washington Bicentennial Committee -- Jewel Ward, Jennifer Essig, John and Sharon Amdall and Leri Slonneger -- and Washington Mayor Gary Manier came to the board meeting Wednesday to inform board members about the upcoming year-long celebration of the city's 200th birthday.
Manier presented a city proclamation about the bicentennial to Grimm.
Each board member received a bicentennial tote bag and a bag of Holland's Caramel Corn's Bicentennial Pop, a special blend of caramel corn, M&M's and caramel-covered pretzels created by the iconic business located on the downtown Washington square.
County's $4 million in federal funding was frozen and thawed out
County Administrator Michael Deluhery told the board Wednesday that the federal funding freeze enacted Tuesday by President Trump put $4 million in federal money for Tazewell County in limbo.
The freeze was lifted Wednesday in the wake of nationwide confusion and lawsuits.
Tazewell will seek its share of a $5.54 billion class action settlement
The board gave its approval Wednesday for the county to:
- Join a $5.54 billion class action settlement against VISA and MasterCard. The credit card companies were charged with violating antitrust laws by imposing excessive fees on merchants between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 25, 2019. The overcharges affected customers for Tazewell County services. The county must submit its claim by Tuesday.
- Commit up to $103,965 of its state Energy Transition Community Grant to be a local match for applicants for $1.04 billion in state funding for broadband service in unserved and underserved areas. The county conducted a broadband study in 2024 that found 2,019 residences were unserved and 1,883 residences were underserved.
- Purchase two new tandem axle trucks from low bidder Truck Centers of Morton for a combined $499,458.
- Pay $75,000 to the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council for services in 2025. Quarterly installments will be made by the county based on a review of the GPEDC's performance. The first quarter payment was approved Wednesday.
13 spots filled on boards
Eleven appointments and two re-appointments were approved Wednesday by the board. The appointments were:
- Deene Milan to the Central Illinois Agency on Aging Board.
- Alisha Dault to the Human Services Transportation Planning Commission.
- Cathryn Stump to the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Board.
- Greg Menold to the Tazewell Woodford Youth Services Board.
- Kim Joesting to the Veterans Assistance Commission.
- Russ Crawford to the Tri-County River Valley Development Authority.
- Kaden Nelms, Tammy Rich-Stimson and Stump to the Tazwood Community Services Board.
- Greg Sinn and Joe Woodrow to the Tazewell County Extension Board.
The re-appointments were:
- Nick Graff to the We Care Board,
- Terry Ziegenbein to the Sheriff's Merit Commission.
