South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The special meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman George E. Green.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman George E. Green, Commissioner Vicki Koerber and Commissioner Doug Garmer were present.

Others present included State's Attorney Ryan Webb, County Clerk Jonathan McLean, Deputy Clerk Kara Etherton, Human Resources Officer Missy Whittington, Sheriff Neal Rohlfing, Heidi Eckert, Megan Killy, CEO of Accolade Healthcare Moe Freedman, Director of Resources for Accolade Healthcare Diana Tolley, Scott Woodsmall from the Republic Times, and Administrative Assistant Sheila Wetzler.

The purpose of this special meeting was to discuss the proposed lease of Oak Hill to Accolade Healthcare.

State's Attorney Ryan Webb gave a presentation outlining the lease with Accolade Healthcare and the reasons why the County is making the decision to lease. Webb said the sale of Oak Hill requires the voters to approve a referendum to that effect. If the County plans to sell the nursing home in the second 5-year term of the lease, voters will get to vote on that decision.

Accolade CEO Moe Freedman shared his background, family history, discussed star ratings, staffing concerns and the fact that Accolade offers a broader range of healthcare services than Oak Hill currently offers.

Chairman Green then asked if there were any public comments.

The following individuals spoke:

Oak Hill Employees:

Sarah Decker, Jason Chism (Business Agent for Oak Hill as President of the United Steelworkers Union), Sarah Inman, Litney Hick, Wendy Meister-Juenger, Camille Donjon, Bonnie Christianson, and Jessica Sinn.

Former Oak Hill Employees:

Suzanne Roberts, Donna DeWilde, Lorraine Hoffman, Pat Felix, and Zoe Weakley.

Oak Hill Residents and Family Members

Caroline Muench (mother is a resident), Mary Otten, two residents spoke but did not give their names, Clara Stratman (husband was a former resident), Edith Orsech, and Vicki Singer (mother and aunt are current residents).

Other speakers included:

Pat Kelly - Democratic candidate for County Commissioner, Scot Luchtefeld - Democratic Party Chairman for Monroe County, Sidney Horn - Democratic Precinct Committeeman, Susan Untersch, Margaret Miller, Lonny Ludwig (Mother a long time Oak Hill Resident), Sandra Reed, Carol Turnquist, Pam Muertz Democratic Precinct Committeewoman, Austin Gerovac (Union Employee United Steel Workers), Linette Hermanns, LuAnn Valentine, Tim Buckley (Brother of Oak Hill Employee), Brenda Wetters, Connie Kostecki, Bonnie Howerton - Democratic Precinct Committeewoman, and Kandie Halleran.

County Commissioner Doug Garmer said that he understood the frustrations of everyone who spoke at the meeting. But something must be done sooner rather than later regarding management and operations at the nursing home to ensure its future in our community. This decision was not made lightly.

Chairman Green spoke to the crowd stating that he could not be prouder of the environment at Oak Hill. The relationship between staff and residents feels like family. He then explained that he toured an Accolade Healthcare facility and got the same kind of feeling when he toured their mursing home. He said he is concerned about Oak Hill and its future. Ever since the issues at Oak Hill were discovered, the Board has been trying to find a way to improve management and preserve Oak Hill for the future of the Community.

Commissioner Garmer made a motion to approve the resolution Authorizing Commissioner George E. Green to Execute the Lease Agreement and Operations Transfer Agreement between Monroe County and Accolade Healthcare. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution # 25-63

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

https://monroecountyil.gov/download/702/2025/251769/08-26-25-special-county-board-meeting-minutes.pdf