May 15 - Lee County, Illinois

Ferguson and Lora Fassler attended a Smoke-Free Illinois Lobby Day in Springfield with 700
other advocates from across Illinois to celebrate the passage of the act and to lobby for the
Governor's signature. They were able to meet with Senator Sieben to thank him for co-sponsoring
the bill.
Ms. Ferguson read a letter to the Board that she received from a client in appreciation for the
department's friendly and courteous staff. The client stated she had been made to feel rushed,
uncomfortable and disrespected in other healthcare facilities, but that the services provided to her
here were beyond her expectations.
The Board was given copies of a report demonstrating that the WIC and Family Case Management
programs are effective in reducing premature births, low birth weight, infant mortality and
healthcare expenditures during the first year of life.
The Board discussed wage increases for FY08. Ms. Ferguson has checked with other health
departments in the region and the range is between 3-4%. Rick Ketchum shared his opinion that
departments should give a dollars or cents increase rather than an across the board percent
increase. Ms. Ferguson responded that the health board discussed this issue last year and the
majority of the board wanted an across the board percent increase. Dr. Welty was called away
from the meeting; therefore there was no longer a quorum. The wage issue will be revisited at the
next meeting.
Rick Bowers has agreed to another 3-year term.
The meeting was adjourned at 7: 17 p.m.
The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Health is Tuesday, July 10,2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Ferguson, B.S., M.P.H.
Public Health Administrator