The COVID-19 pandemic has affected court systems all around Illinois and Wabash County is no different. State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman submitted her monthly report to the county board which showed just two felony cases and one misdemeanor case filed in April to go along with only 11 traffic cases.
Sheriff Derek Morgan reported that his office continues to face a huge problem as the Department of Corrections is still not accepting any new inmates. Morgan said he’s been working with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and all other county sheriff’s to negotiate either a price the DOC will pay Wabash County for housing inmates that should go to prison or when they’ll start being accepted.
Circuit Clerk Angie Crum said fines and fees were down $20,000 to $25,000 a month in April compared to an average month. Board Chairman Tim Hocking the decrease will have a major effect on the county’s budget, if a return to normal doesn’t happen soon.
As for the highway department, county engineer Dustin Bunting reported to the board that the county’s motor fuel tax allotment last month was down by over 30% compared to last April. He attributed the downturn to the COVID-19 shutdown across the state.