Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board Legislative & Judicial Committee met April 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Meeting Convened at 6:00pm on April 15, 2025, by Chairman Bob Reich.

Members Present: Robert Reich, Jon McCoy, Russ Hinkamper, Mark Dietrich, Jeremy Farlow Members Absent:

Others in Attendance: Ryan Niekamp, Anthony Foster, Lori Geschwandner, Erin Wilson-Laegler

The Legislative & Judicial Committee of the Adams County Board convened its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the County Board Room located on the second floor of 507 Vermont Street, Quincy, Illinois. Chairman Robert Reich called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

The committee began by reviewing the minutes from the previous meeting held on March 11, 2025. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

No public comment was received during this meeting.

Under new business, County Clerk Ryan Niekamp presented an ordinance amending the County’s liquor licensing structure. The proposed changes included increasing the annual fee for retail liquor licenses from $400 to $600, reflecting a move from semiannual payments of $200 to $300. Additionally, the county will begin charging a $75 fee for one-day special event liquor permits. These permits will now be issued for 48-hour durations rather than 24 hours, which better aligns with typical weekend events. The updated ordinance will take effect July 1, 2025, to correspond with the state fiscal year. The motion to adopt these amendments passed unanimously.

The committee also discussed and approved Ordinance No. 2025-04-001-020, which outlines new procedures for filling vacancies on the Adams County Board. The updated process includes a requirement for all Board members to receive the resumes or biographies of applicants, addressing previous concerns about lack of transparency. A 30-day window for applications has also been added to ensure adequate time for public awareness and participation. The ordinance was unanimously adopted.

Following this, the committee considered Resolution No. 2025-04-001-021, which expresses formal opposition to the proposal to establish a National Park across Calhoun, Jersey, and Pike Counties. Glen Sanders delivered detailed remarks opposing the proposal, citing negative implications such as the elimination of hunting rights, potential economic harm to local fire departments reliant on timber sale grants, and the risk of federal eminent domain claims affecting private and agricultural lands. He also raised concerns about the park’s maintenance costs, reduced public access, and a lack of support for local hunting and fishing communities. The resolution opposing the national park was passed without dissent.

The committee proceeded to approve a slate of fire protection district trustee appointments. William R. Johnson was appointed as a trustee of the Central Adams Fire Protection District with a term expiring in May 2028. Don Loos was appointed to the Liberty Fire Protection District through May 2028. Mike Benjamin, Alex House, and Robert Mitchell were each appointed to the Payson-Fall Creek Fire Protection District with terms expiring in May of 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively.

The committee then reviewed and approved several one-day liquor license requests. A permit was granted to Daniel Valentine for the Day of Destruction event at Quincy Raceways on April 12, 2025. The Adams County Fair received approval for liquor permits for the dates of July 23–29, 2025, and June 29, 2025, with the permitted hours specified accordingly.

Additionally, a pyrotechnic display permit was approved for Pointe D’Vine LLC for an event scheduled on May 3, 2025, at 8:00 PM. No alternative date was provided or approved.

The meeting concluded with an announcement that the next committee meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

https://www.adamscountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11145/638835913208600000