Senate approves bill to complete Sangamon County health merger         

[MARCH 3, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, that would allow the newly consolidated Sangamon County Department of Public Health to appoint additional members to the county health board.

Bomke sponsored the legislation, Senate Bill 2798, in response to the recent consolidation between the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and the Springfield Health Department.

The bill would allow a county health board in a county with a population exceeding 180,000 to have 12 members; currently, a county is required to meet a population requirement of 200,000 in order to have 12 members on the board of health. The Sangamon County Department of Public Health wants to lower the requirement to make it possible for additional people to be appointed to the newly consolidated health department.

"Sangamon County chairman Andy Van Meter approached me about the legislation as the merger between the two health departments was being discussed," Bomke said. "Essentially, the county felt that two additional positions on the board would be helpful to not only address the additional issues that are going to undoubtedly result from the consolidation, but to also ensure that people with a city interest are appointed and Springfield continues to be represented."

After being approved by the Senate, Senate Bill 2798 proceeded to the House of Representatives. If the legislation is supported by the House, the bill will then go to the governor for final consideration.

[News release from Illinois Senate Republicans]