McLean County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County Board to weigh storm disaster extension; recent meetings set agenda items

McLean County's County Board will hold a special meeting on August 24 to consider extending the local disaster declaration for the severe storms of August 13-14, 2026. The extension would run until September 18, 2026, to support damage assessment, debris cleanup, and utility restoration. The declaration was originally issued by County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston on August 19, 2026. No other action items are on the agenda.

In the past two weeks, several county committees met, but minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The following agenda items were listed.

Recent meetings

County Executive Committee (Aug. 10) — The committee considered a contract amendment with Journal Technologies for court system work, a work order with Conference Technologies, Inc. for Circuit Clerk's office kiosks ($28,000), a GIS migration RFP award to Cloudpoint Technologies, an agreement with Optiv Security for an annual penetration test, and emergency appropriation ordinances for Animal Services, Sheriff, Public Defender, and other funds.

Sheriff's Merit Commission (Aug. 11) — The commission planned to vote on its agenda and July minutes, review a budget performance report and accumulated transaction listings as of July 2026, and conduct oral interviews for approximately three deputy candidates.

County Board (Aug. 13) — The board considered a $416,425.10 road construction contract with Stark Excavating for Old Town Township (2150 East Road), a zoning text amendment for battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind energy conversion systems, and commercial solar facilities (ZA-26-05), and special use permits for BESS and substations in Dawson Township (SU-26-08) and Arrowsmith Township (SU-26-09). It also considered emergency appropriations for Animal Services, Sheriff, Public Defender, and health funds, plus contract amendments with Journal Technologies and a GIS migration RFP award to Cloudpoint Technologies.

METCOM Operations Board (Aug. 11) — The board reviewed June and July 2026 expenditures, heard a director's report on 9-8-8 call transfers and staffing, received a CAD update from ProPhoenix response, and entered closed session for litigation and employee matters. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2026.

Emergency Telephone System Board (Aug. 20) — The bylaws committee reviewed articles IV through XI of its bylaws and approved minutes from July 9, 2026.

METCOM Operations Board special meeting (Aug. 21) — The board met to select an interim director.

Mental Health and Public Safety Fund Advisory Council (Aug. 21) — The council discussed recommending 2027 budgets for Criminal Justice Services (detention and behavioral health) and Community Behavioral Health Initiatives, multi-year and continuation awards, and elected a presiding officer for a one-year term. It also received an update on its new composition effective September 1, 2026.

Coming up

County Board special meeting (Aug. 24) — The board will consider a resolution to extend the local disaster declaration for the August 13-14 storms until September 18, 2026. The agenda includes no other action items.

McLean County committees weigh road contract, emergency funds, and staffing proposals

McLean County committees met last week to consider a range of items, including a $416,425 road contract, emergency appropriations for health and justice departments, and a temporary increase in sheriff's patrol staffing. No votes have been reported; minutes for these meetings have not yet been published.

Emergency Telephone System Board

The board considered selecting a radio system option, a budget amendment, a camera expansion, and an American Tower lease amendment. It also received reports on 911 call statistics and project updates.

Health Committee

The committee reviewed emergency appropriations: $225,000 for flooring replacement, $17,000 for a network switch, and $8,000 for a data platform in Fund 2112; and an appropriation for a West Nile Virus rapid diagnostic platform in Fund 2107. It also considered an emergency appropriation ordinance for Fund 4401 proposed by the County Administrator, and received reports on Mental Health First Aid coordination and universal blood lead screening for children aged 12 and 24 months effective July 1, 2026.

Land Use & Transportation Committee

The committee reviewed a proposed contract with Stark Excavating, Inc. for $416,425.10 for road and drainage improvements on 2150 East Road in Old Town Township. It also considered a petition for a joint culvert replacement in Blue Mound Road District (1600N Road) estimated at $10,000, and a resolution supporting fare collection for rural transit services. Project updates were given for Hudson West Road, LeRoy School Road, Matthews Bridge, and Ireland Grove Road.

Property Committee

The committee considered exterior brick repair at the Juvenile Detention Center (903 N. Main Street, Normal) with Otto-Baum Company at $12 per square foot, with a project budget not to exceed $80,000. It also considered a temporary ordinance amending Chapters 205 and 282 of the McLean County Code.

Public Building Commission

The commission discussed a possible public building revenue bond issue for a Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District project, elevator modernization for the Law & Justice Center and Old County Courthouse, re-investment of a maturing CDARS account at Clock Tower Community Bank, and payment of bills.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The board heard four cases recommending text amendments and special uses to the County Board. These included a text amendment for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and renewable energy facilities, a special use for a powder activated carbon silo at 25515 Waterside Way, Hudson Township, and two special uses for BESS and electric substations in Ellsworth and Arrowsmith.

Finance Committee

The committee reviewed a request to increase Deputy Patrol Officer positions from 25 to 27 until December 7, 2026, an emergency appropriation to accept $48,689.00 in donations for animal medical services, a proposed printing contract with The Master’s Touch, LLC, an ordinance to amend the General Compensation Plan for non-union employees, and resolutions to cancel mobile home tax sale certificates of purchase.

Justice Committee

The committee considered emergency appropriation ordinances for the Sheriff’s Department Fund 1001 and the Public Defender Department Fund 2021, both FY2026 budget amendments. It also approved minutes from July 8, 2026, and handled payment of bills via consent agenda.

Coming up

The Sheriff's Merit Commission will meet on August 11, 2026, to approve the agenda and July minutes, review budget performance reports, and conduct oral interviews for approximately three deputy candidates.

McLean County roundup: 377 Board and ETSB minutes pending; county committees set for consequential votes August 4–5

McLean County boards met July 23 and 28, but minutes have not yet been published for either session, so no decisions are confirmed. Several consequential votes on contracts, staffing, and appropriations are scheduled for the week of August 4.

Recent meetings: agendas posted, minutes pending

The McLean County Board for the Care and Treatment of Persons with a Developmental Disability (the 377 Board) met July 23. The agenda included a proposed request for proposals for CY27 Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) programs with up to $855,612 available, a budget revision for The Baby Fold Community Schools Program, notification of June 2026 paid allocations totaling $1,511.82, election of Board President and Board Secretary, and a Quarter One 2026 Cumulative Grantee Report Summary. Minutes have not been published.

The Emergency Telephone System Board met July 28. The agenda listed discussion and approval of selection of a radio system option, approval of a budget amendment, approval of a camera expansion, and approval of an American Tower lease amendment. Reports on 911 call statistics and project updates were also scheduled, along with an executive session on employee matters. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up: August 4 committee meetings

Several committees meet Tuesday, August 4.

Land Use & Transportation Committee — Proposed contract with Stark Excavating, Inc. for $416,425.10 for Old Town Township road and drainage work at 2150 East Road; petition for Joint Culvert Replacement #1 in Blue Mound Road District (1600N Road) estimated at $10,000; proposed resolution supporting fare collection for rural transit services; project updates for Hudson West Road, LeRoy School Road, Matthews Bridge, and Ireland Grove Road.

Health Committee — Emergency appropriation for Fund 2112 to fund a $225,000 flooring replacement, $17,000 network switch, and $8,000 data platform; emergency appropriation for Fund 2107 to purchase a West Nile Virus rapid diagnostic platform; emergency appropriation ordinance for Fund 4401 proposed by County Administrator; report on transition of Mental Health First Aid coordination to McLean County Behavioral Health Coordination; report on universal blood lead screening for children aged 12 and 24 months effective July 1, 2026.

Property Committee — Proposed exterior brick repair at Juvenile Detention Center (903 N. Main Street, Normal) with Otto-Baum Company at $12 per square foot; project budget not to exceed $80,000; proposed temporary ordinance amending Chapters 205 and 282 of the McLean County Code.

Public Building Commission — Possible public building revenue bond issue for a Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District project; modernization of elevators in the Law & Justice Center and Old County Courthouse; re-investment of maturing CDARS account at Clock Tower Community Bank; payment of bills.

Zoning Board of Appeals — Text amendment to zoning ordinance for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and renewable energy facilities; special use request for powder activated carbon silo at 25515 Waterside Way, Hudson Township; special use for BESS at 1/3-mile west of 3000 East Rd. and electric substation at 29230 E 1200 North Rd., Ellsworth; special use for BESS 2/3-mile north of 1200 North Rd. and electric substation at 12493 N 3500 East Rd., Arrowsmith.

Coming up: August 5 committee meetings

Finance Committee — Request to increase Deputy Patrol Officer positions from 25 to 27 until December 7, 2026; emergency appropriation ordinance to accept $48,689.00 in donations for animal medical services; proposed production agreement with The Master's Touch, LLC for printing services; ordinance to amend the General Compensation Plan for non-union employees; resolutions to cancel mobile home tax sale certificates of purchase.

Justice Committee — Emergency appropriation ordinance for Sheriff's Department Fund 1001 (FY2026 budget amendment); emergency appropriation ordinance for Public Defender Department Fund 2021 (FY2026 budget amendment); approval of minutes from July 8, 2026; payment of bills and transfers via consent agenda.

Coming up

August 11 — Sheriff's Merit Commission: Vote to approve or amend the August 11 agenda and July 14 meeting minutes; review of Budget Performance Report & Accumulated Transaction Listings as of July 2026; oral interviews for approximately 3 deputy candidates.

McLean County committees weigh contracts, bridge engineering, and township billing; minutes not yet published

McLean County's committees and boards met multiple times between July 13 and July 23, taking up infrastructure contracts, software renewals, emergency budget amendments, and a proposal to bill Money Creek Township for assessment work. All meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so final outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the record.

Executive Committee — July 13

The Executive Committee agenda included several contract votes. Items listed for action were renewal of the Veoci emergency operations software for $20,194, covering August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, and a purchase of Cohesity backup solutions through Carahsoft for $92,212.87. The committee also had emergency appropriation ordinances on its agenda to amend the 2026 budget for the Tort Judgment Fund, covering Risk Management Services and Jail Medical Services. Additional agenda items included Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program grant agreements from the State Attorney General and an engineering services agreement with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick for the Capodice Bridge.

County Board — July 16

The County Board agenda featured a purchase of a 2027 Ford Explorer from Landmark Ford, Inc. for $45,991.00 and an engineering services agreement with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick Inc. for the Capodice Bridge totaling $149,840. Final plats for two one-lot subdivisions were on the agenda: the Heins Subdivision at 32008 E 3000 North Rd., Chenoa, and the Wicke Subdivision at 15677 E 910 North Rd., Bloomington. The board was also scheduled to review emergency appropriation ordinances for the Tort Judgment Fund.

Money Creek Township Assessment Billing

Multiple committees on July 16 addressed a proposal to bill Money Creek Township for assessment services after the township did not have an assessor by the June 15 statutory deadline. The Finance Committee agenda included a resolution authorizing hourly billing at $125 for the Chief County Assessment Officer, $110 for the Assistant Chief, and $100 for staff. The Stand Up Meetings agenda named the individuals proposed for billing: Timothy A. Jorczak at $125, Shaun Harner at $110, and Doug Nelson at $100.

Health and Executive Committee — July 16

The Health Committee agenda included approval of June 2, 2026 minutes and a fund transfer to replace a non-functioning mobile dental cart in the Jail Medical fund. The Executive Committee agenda for the same date listed a contract amendment and purchase order with Carahsoft Technology Corporation/Boomi, with the amount listed as to be distributed. Appointments on the agenda included Gregg Egbers to the Towanda Fire Protection District and the reappointment of Andrew Killian to the Turkey Creek Drainage District.

377 Board — July 23

The McLean County Board for the Care and Treatment of Persons with a Developmental Disability met to consider releasing a request for proposals for 2027 Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) programs, with up to $855,612 available. The agenda also included a budget revision for The Baby Fold Community Schools Program, notification of June 2026 paid allocations totaling $1,511.82, a Quarter One 2026 Cumulative Grantee Report Summary, and elections for Board President and Board Secretary.

Coming up

The Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) meets July 28. The agenda includes discussion and approval of a radio system option selection, a budget amendment, a camera expansion, and an American Tower lease amendment. The board will also receive reports on 911 call statistics and project updates and hold an executive session on employee matters.

McLean County committees weigh bridge engineering, detention center repairs, and budget amendments

McLean County's committees and boards held a packed week of meetings starting July 7, with agendas covering infrastructure contracts, public health operations, zoning variances, and emergency budget adjustments. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for action or discussion, not confirmed outcomes.

Infrastructure and vehicle purchases

The Land Use and Transportation Committee was set to vote on a $149,840 engineering services agreement with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick Inc. for the Capodice Bridge on Bloomington Road. The same committee agenda included a resolution to purchase a 2027 Ford Explorer from Landmark Ford for $45,991 (with trade-in) and an ordinance to alter the speed zone on Washington St. to a 45-mph limit.

The County Board, meeting July 16, had the same Ford Explorer purchase and Capodice Bridge engineering agreement on its agenda, along with final plats for two one-lot subdivisions: Heins Subdivision at 32008 E 3000 North Rd., Chenoa, and Wicke Subdivision at 15677 E 910 North Rd., Bloomington.

Detention center and county facilities

The Property Committee was scheduled to consider a $154,463.98 contract with PIPCO LLC for water heater replacement at the McLean County Detention Center. Other agenda items included a domestic water manifold replacement at the Museum of History, an emergency procurement at the Juvenile Detention Center, an amendment to the EECBG Grant, and a contract for Energy Brokerage and Consulting Services.

The Public Building Commission was set to discuss a possible revenue bond issue for a Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District project, along with the Animal Services Facility project and elevator modernization in the Law & Justice Center and Old County Courthouse.

Budget and finance actions

The Finance Committee agenda included a resolution amending FY26 full-time equivalent positions for the Health Department to add 0.20 FTE for a WIC Nutritionist, plus two emergency appropriation ordinances for the Tort Judgement Fund covering Risk Management Services and Jail Medical Services. The committee was also scheduled to accept the FY2025 Popular Annual Financial Report and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and approve an intergovernmental agreement for temporary financial assistance.

The Executive Committee, meeting July 13, had the Veoci emergency operations software renewal ($20,194 for 08/01/2026–07/31/2027) and a Cohesity backup solutions purchase via Carahsoft ($92,212.87) on its agenda, along with the same Tort Judgement Fund emergency appropriations.

Public health

The McLean County Board of Health, meeting July 8, was scheduled to act on an emergency resolution amending the FY26 budget for Fund 2107 Communicable Disease Control, a contract with PJ Hoerr for an east clinic remodel project, and release of an RFP for CY27 behavioral health services. The consent agenda listed bills paid of $627,543.77 (May) and $536,780.45 (June). A closed session was scheduled for the health department administrator's annual review.

Justice and zoning

The Justice Committee agenda included a contract for Carissa Haning as Special Public Defender at $2,500 per month, contracts for Special Public Defenders Rachael Moore-Perry and Nrupa Patel, a DCFS grant agreement for the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois, and Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program grants for the Children's Advocacy Center, CASA of McLean and Logan Counties, and the State's Attorney.

The Zoning Board of Appeals was set to hold public hearings on two variance requests: Case ZV-26-07, in which Roger and Brenda Tower seek a 4-foot side setback for a detached garage at 15342 Old Colonial Rd., Bloomington (instead of the required 20 feet), and Case ZV-26-08, in which Tim Stringer seeks a 2-foot front setback for a privacy fence at 2644 E Northtown Rd., Towanda (instead of the required 30 feet).

Township assessments and appointments

Stand Up Meetings on July 16 included discussion of billing Money Creek Township for assessment services, which currently lacks an assessor. Proposed hourly rates were Timothy A. Jorczak at $125, Shaun Harner at $110, and Doug Nelson at $100. The agenda also listed appointment of Gregg Egbers to the Towanda Fire Protection District and reappointment of Andrew Killian to the Turkey Creek Drainage District.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers should check the county's official meeting calendar for any newly posted sessions.