The Knox County board approved agreements at its regular meeting Wednesday to house inmates from Warren and Cook counties at the county jail.
They also approved an agreement to continue providing meals to the Warren County jail.
All three agreements will generate revenue for Knox County.
However, there was some pushback on the Cook County agreement.
“My biggest concern is getting into bed with Cook County,” said Todd Olinger, R-District 4. “We all know how Cook County feels about us and how we feel about them. So I’m probably going to vote no, because I don’t think we should have anything to do with them.”
Others were perplexed as to why the county’s legal counsel – Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin – was not asked to review the agreements before they came up for a vote.
“Is there a reason we’re not sharing our contracts with Jeremy?” asked Cheryl Nache, D-District 1.
Board Chair Jared Hawkinson, R-District 4, replied saying that the Cook County State’s Attorney drew up the contract.
“Well, okay,” Nache said. “I’m good with their state’s attorney. But we also have one. And it’s like, share the information here.”
Ultimately the board approved the agreement to house Cook County inmates on an 8-4 vote, with a provision that Karlin reviews the agreement.
Those voting against were Olinger; Robert Bondi, R-District 2; Samuel Cohen, D-District 3; and Pamela Davison, D-District-3.
Per the agreement, Cook County will pay Knox County $60 per day per inmate for housing, food, and basic necessities.
The agreement to house Warren County inmates – which was approved unanimously – is for $55 per day per inmate.
Also unanimously approved was an agreement for Knox County to provide two meals a day for Warren County inmates through its food service contractor, at a cost of $3 per meal.
A Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy drives to Galesburg twice a day to pick up the meals, and Knox County makes a profit.
Last year, Warren County voters approved a 3/4 percent sales tax increase to build a new, modern law enforcement center.
The $16 to $18 million facility will alleviate space and safety concerns at the current jail, which is more than a century old.
It will also allow Warren County to house federal and out-of-county inmates, as well as all of its own.
Currently all female inmates from Warren County are housed at the Mercer County jail.
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