Yesterday's News-Gazette editorial regarding the governance of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District in the wake of the allegations surrounding Director Vito Palazzolo:
The administration of Vito Palazollo may be nearing an end, but that doesn't mean more changes aren't needed. For one thing, this is an opportune time to examine whether it's a good idea to have three people busily involved in other government agencies – the Champaign County Board and the township governments in Champaign and Urbana – also trying to keep tabs on a public health agency with an $8 million budget. The current situation suggests that a very part-time board isn't capable of overseeing such a large, diverse and growing government agency.
Is the CUPHD's Board membership set by statute? Why is it Linda Abernathy, Carrie Elliott and Pius Wiebel? What structure would better serve the District and its citizens?
Sangamon county had the exact same problem and concerns 1-2 years ago and then merged the county and city health departments. The end result had an appointed board overseeing the newly consolidated health department (I think). The current problem here is that you have politically elected people overseeing the CUPHD board which politicizes decisions regarding public health and the board isn't made up of health officials so decision making is adversely affected.
Look in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, 70 ILCS 905 for special districts. CU Public HEalth is a special district and the statutes state who "shall" serve as the board.
Carol,
Can we expect a decision regarding Vito after tonight's meeting?
There is a bill, HB 0742, currently sitting on the governor's desk which would extend state whistleblower laws to protect employees of local units of government. The bill passed both houses unanimously (Sen. Frerichs - Chief Senate sponsor; Rep. Jakobsson - House co-sponsor) and has been awaiting signature since 6/14. If it's not signed by next Monday (8/13), it will not become law.
For anyone interested in seeing it become law. so future government employees will be protected when exposing misdeeds, there are ways you can help. Call the governor's office (217-782-0244), and let them know he must act right away.
Actually, according to the constitution, if the governor does nothing the bill becomes law. He's pretty good at doing nothing, so we've got a pretty good chance at the bill becoming law.
I stand corrected. I spoke with someone from Legislative Affairs this morning who said it had to be signed. I just now spoke with the governor's office and they confirmed what you wrote. With that in mind, everybody can go back to doing nothing. : )
Really, Sangamon County had the exact same problem with a venal administrator, a board looking the other way while he fired or forced out 23 people and then sat on its hands and continued paying him for doing nothing when his antics were exposed, firing instead the person who exposed him? That is truly amazing.
Here's the public health board statute:
Relevant section is bolded.
I don't see how the board makeup is a problem. All of those people need to get re-elected, so they can be thrown right out if this is as bad as it looks. Compare that to say, the MTD, who continues to alienate damn near everyone. How do you put the heat on them?
--
j
Part-Time Pundit
Vito missed the boat that day
He left the shack
But that was all he missed
And he ain't comin back
At a tombstone bar
In a jukejoint car
He made a stop
Just long enough
To grab a handle off the top
Next stop Chi town
Vito put the money down let em roll
He said one more job ought to get it
One last shot 'fore we quit it
One for the road
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh
He's for the money
He's for the show
Vito's waiting for the go
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh
He said one more job ought to get it
One last shot 'fore we quit it
One more for the road
Vito will be runnin'
Havin' great big fun
Until he got the note
Sayin' tow the line or blow it
And that was all he wrote
He'll be makin' like a bee line
Headin' for the border line
Goin' for broke
Sayin' one more hit ought to do it
This joint aint nothin' to it
One more for the road
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh
He's for the money
He's for the show
Vito's waiting for the go
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh
One more job ought to get it
One last shot then we quit it
One more for the road
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh
He's for the money
He's for the show
Vito's a waitin' for the go
Vito.. whoa oh oh oh