HAMC board discusses cannabis
MACOMB — During Monday’s meeting, the Housing Authority of McDonough County Board of Commissioners discussed federal and state cannabis laws and how they impact public housing policy.
HAMC Executive Director Annette Carper told the board that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development established a no smoking policy in public housing back in 2018. She said that the no-smoking policy also includes the prohibition of smoking cannabis in public housing.
The board discussed how the differences in both federal and state law on cannabis would confuse public housing residents. They said that while recreational cannabis usage was legal with restrictions under Illinois law, it was still illegal under federal law.
To avoid both the law confusion and the fact that public housing has to follow HUD guidelines, the board opted to have the housing authority follow the federal law in enforcing the policy.
The board also discussed filling in the last vacancy on the board. Carper said that she created a list of possible candidates as a starting point to fill in the vacancy. She also said that the current commissioners could also contact others that they believed would be interested in serving on the board.
During previous housing authority meetings, the commissioners said during discussion that they wanted to add a commissioner with a financial background to help understand the housing authority budget. Once the commissioners decide who will serve on the board, the McDonough County Board will approve the appointment.
In other business, the housing authority discussed contracts to rehab Greenbriar Apartments, adding a wheelchair accessible door to Prairieview Homes and adding a window to the executive director’s office. The board also discussed the upcoming Election Day policy. Carper said she leaned towards having the HAMC office open on Election Day due to both early and mail-in voting.
The next meeting will be on Nov. 16 at noon.
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