Jones, Silva on opposite sides of health department changes in Kane

Monica Silva made her mark on the Kane County Board earlier this year in trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to dissuade officials from downsizing the county health department. It is an issue that continues to create a dividing line between her and District 7 incumbent Gerald Jones, who she is challenging in the November election.

Jones is one of the longest-serving members on the board and the senior Democrat. He reluctantly led the county board's decision to transfer the bulk of social services out of the health department he helped to create and into the hands of local private health care providers.

Jones believes it was a hard choice, necessary to maintain the existence of the health department when the state couldn't pay its bills on time.

“In business, if you have someone who owes you $1.2 million, and they say maybe I can pay you in six months, maybe I won't, would they still be your customer? Jones asked.

“That's the situation we were in with the state.

Silva believes the state would've made good on the money it owed the county. She said not trusting the state gambles with the health of the 6,000 women and children who primarily used the social services for access to Medicaid. She would've voted to block the downsizing.

“These are reputable agencies, but I do still believe the health department would've been best to handle these cases, Silva said.

“Money rarely comes on time when you need it yesterday. But I would like to see us take a chance with the state rather than see us take a chance with a newborn baby.

Jones said the county isn't taking any risks with newborn babies because there is no evidence local health care providers can't handle the new caseload.

“Is it right to assume that quality we have provided won't continue? Jones said. All the private providers will be required to make regular reports to the county on how they are handling the new caseload.

Silva said if someone has to report their services have fallen through the cracks, it may already be too late. However, with the decision already made, she said monitoring the transition of services will be a top priority for her.