Actions of the Hardin County Board

June 5, 2025

Original coverage in the Hardin County Independent by Jill Cowsert, County Clerk.

Chairman Darrick Armstrong called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Also present were Commissioners Ricky Williams and Michael Belford, Treasurer LeAnn Davis, Highway Engineer Justin Hastie, County Clerk Jill Cowsert and Deputy County Clerk Jeff Winters.

Commissioner Williams made the motion to approve the March 20, 2025 minutes as written. Belford agreed with the second and all voted yes.

Janice Crow met with the Board to introduce her organization. She is the Regional Council Manager for Region 20 with Birth to Five Illinois. Region 20 covers the counties of Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White. Each Region has an Action Council of community stakeholders and a Family Council, parent/caregiver with a child under the age of eight. The Council has been working on addressing the needs of early childhood education and care in this region. This effort is to make sure that ALL children have access to high quality early childhood education and care.

Currently, their work is their action plan. They are excited to present to Hardin County the wonderful work their Councils are doing towards making their action plan achieved. Region 20 is beginning the process of working on their mental and behavioral health report. Jennifer Worthen is on the Action Council. She represents Hardin and Pope Counties. Worthen is with the Southern Seven Health Department. Crow thanked the Board for allowing her to meet with them and share her future plans. Crow invited the group to attend their meetings held in McLeansboro, or join them online.