Prairie State Wire

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Employee Licensure Board met July 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Open Session

Board Members Present

Shea Kamp

Mariann Jordan

Brenda Coble Lindsey

Monica Badiano

Alnita Myles

Alicia Bradley Richardson

Board Members Absent

Anne Elizabeth Glassgow

LaTasha Roberson-Guifarro

Others Present

Shelia Riley, CWEL Office

Marjorie Moore, IDCFS, OLS

Joanna Sharp, IDCFS, OLS

Open Session

Welcome/Introduction

Shea Kamp called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Advisory Group In-Person Meetings

Shelia Riley provided an update on the status of IDCFS Advisory Groups return to In-Person Meetings. Marjorie Moore informed the Board on 6/5/2023 that it may be required to conduct meetings in-person and written guidance from the Governor’s office would be forthcoming. The guidance from the Governor’s Office was distributed on 6/16/2023, a copy of which was provided to the Board. It stated, in summary, that the COVID 19 Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation and Executive Orders which amended the Open Meetings Act (OMA) to allow public bodies to meet virtually, without the physical presence of a quorum, ended in 5/2023 and, as a result, many public bodies are again required to hold in-person meetings at specified times and places which are convenient to the public with a quorum of members physically present at the meeting as of 5/11/2023.

The Guidance to advisory groups identified five limited exceptions for remote attendance by a member of a public body and cited several OMA provisions which “have historically provided flexibility for conducting meetings other than fully in person, regardless of whether the Governor has issued a disaster declaration . . .” The memorandum also directed that “All public bodies subject to the OMA should review their bylaws and enabling statute, if applicable, for OMA-related requirements or provisions, such as those allowing for virtual meetings” and “the importance of public access and transparency in government remains steadfast.”

Shelia Riley indicated that she previously followed-up with IDCFS Legal Attorneys Marjorie Moore and Joanna Sharp on 6/6/2023 and 6/21/2023 for clarification, a copy of which was provided to the Board. Shelia Riley stated that she had requested that IDCFS Legal consider the CWEL Board’s specific statutory authorization in the Children and Family Services Act, 20 ILCS 505/5d, to conduct meetings without a quorum of CWEL Board members being physically present independent of the Governor’s 2020 OMA modifications and COVID 19 executive orders and disaster proclamations as it proceeded to make determinations about which advisory groups would be required to hold meetings in-person.

Shelia Riley further stated that the Children and Family Services Act, 20 ILCS 505/5d (b), specifically provides, in relevant part,:

Upon notification of the manner of the vote to all the members, votes on a final determination may be cast in person, by telephonic or electronic means, or by mail at the discretion of the chairperson. A simple majority of the members appointed and serving is required when Board members vote by mail or by telephonic or electronic means. A majority of the currently appointed and serving Board members constitutes a quorum. A majority of a quorum is required when a recommendation is voted on during a Board meeting. A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to perform all the duties of the Board.

Shelia Riley added that the overarching goals of the Guidance from the Governor’s Office is to rightfully ensure that members of the public have easy access to meetings of public bodies and transparency and, as a result, CWEL Board Meeting Agendas have been amended to include the dial-in information and codes directly on the Agenda going forward so that interested members of the public can conveniently join Open Sessions. Earlier Agendas requested that individuals contact the CWEL Office if they had questions. Joanna Sharp affirmed Shelia Riley’s understanding of the importance of public access and transparency and further stated that she would be responding in writing to Shelia Riley’s earlier request about the application of the 6/16/2023 Guidance to the CWEL Board. In response to Shea Kamp’s question of how should the Board proceed in the interim, Shelia Riley responded that the Board should maintain the status quo until we are told otherwise.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the 6/5/2023 meeting Open Session were introduced. Brenda Coble Lindsey moved to accept the Minutes. Monica Badiano seconded the motion. The motion was properly moved and seconded. Vote was taken: Unanimous. Motion carried. Minutes from the 6/5/2023 meeting Open Session are approved.

Minutes from the 6/5/2023 meeting Closed Session were introduced. Brenda Coble Lindsey moved to accept the Minutes. Alicia Bradley Richardson seconded the motion. The motion was properly moved and seconded. Vote was taken: Unanimous. Motion carried. Minutes from the 6/5/2023 meeting Closed Session are approved.

Review of Applicants for General Public Vacancy Announcement 5/12/2023-6/12/2023

Shelia Riley stated that the applications and resumes received in response to the 5/12/2023-6/12/2023 CWEL Board General Public vacancy announcement were provided on 6/20/2023 for review. The application period was 5/12/2023-6/12/2023. Copies of the Announcement and a chart reflecting each applicant’s area of employment and the date the application materials were received were also submitted to the Board for its consideration.

Shelia Riley further stated that there are five (5) applicants and all of the applications and resumes received were forwarded to the Board. The CWEL Office did not make eligibility determinations or otherwise remove any applicant from consideration. All of the applications received were timely. Shelia Riley noted that Gyan Samara’s application and resume cannot be printed for reasons which are unclear, although they can be opened and read. Charlotte Gallagher also did not submit an application. She sent her resume to OLPD directly.

Shelia Riley informed everyone that CWEL Board Member Liz Glassgow informed the CWEL Office on 6/26/2023 that she would be unable to attend today’s meeting but provided her written feedback, which was also provided to the Board.

Shelia Riley reminded Board members that the Children and Family Services Act, 20 ILCS 505/5d, requires that a General Public representative be unlicensed and represent consumer interests. After discussing the applications, the Board requested that the CWEL Office schedule an interview with Gyan Samara. Tentative dates of everyone’s availability for an interview were discussed. The remaining applicants did not meet the requirements for a General Public representative. Shelia Riley indicated that she would follow-up with Gyan Samara regarding his availability and inform the Board.

Shelia Riley called for a motion to go into Closed Session. Shea Kamp moved for the meeting to go into Closed Session. Motion seconded by Marianne Jordan. The motion was properly moved and seconded. Vote: Unanimous. Motion carried. Meeting went into Closed Session at 2:35 p.m..

Meeting is Closed. Shelia Riley indicated that the Closed Session was being recorded pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/2.06 (a) and (c).

Shea Kamp moved for the meeting to return to Open Session. Monica Badiano seconded the motion. The motion was properly moved and seconded. Vote was taken: Unanimous. Motion carried. The meeting returned to Open Session at 2:44 p.m.

Shea Kamp reminded Board members that they needed to complete the required Ethics, Sexual Harassment and DEI, and Open Meetings Act trainings. There was a discussion about the required trainings and how to access them. Joanna Sharp reminded everyone to contact her or Kara Hamilton if they encountered technical difficulty in accessing the trainings. Joanna Sharp also informed Board members that she was working on acquiring illinois.gov e-mail addresses for the General Public and Accredited University Faculty representatives.

The meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.

https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/impact-public-policy/documents/cwel/cwel-minutes-071123.pdf