[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6165869,"mediaKeyId","5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676","parentId",5417131,"title","Board approves emergency appropriation for behavioral health and funds audit of Mental Health and Public Safety Fund","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",1389000,"endMs",1671000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676&start=1389&end=1671","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676/thumbnail_1389000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6165869/McLean-County/Illinois/Board-approves-emergency-appropriation-for-behavioral-health-and-funds-audit-of-Mental-Health-and-Public-Safety-Fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165869-81e4d921167c4db88e708fe893ba829f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156278&Signature=Ww0lhqu5dAzJWSIXM7Dh3CF2urd~W5Y42ybit095o9BQqvyL7mGDcjZIdOAANdrd2eJO4y1DXgPBD5IOG1ygCyXVQlzxywGMDqtaVUG8Jx~S~T8nHtxyJQIfsZ~d1-GyqAx-uAUM69wrvlWQ~IKeMocdnrYipN3w-2kyKvacRSPpwv0-fVEee6l0X0boY0k2czpK77Xvmw~~AwJ6s1M~yT9ZpHrxkoCLULamXR7dXTeWqkq2lOoO1wRNPTji0DfMhuh1tBi1sUJFsIJuK5bhqN3OlkGWWusrZAhKXh52wOnayt659kiEUXsGMnBmD0J7EOp-fC-HDJH3kX1AcNM0gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McLean County, IL","date","2025-07-17T22:03:27Z","article","The McLean County Board approved two actions tied to behavioral‑health spending and oversight: an emergency appropriation ordinance amending the county’s 2025 appropriation and a resolution to fund an audit of the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund.

The emergency appropriation (item 7A1A) was presented by Vice Chair Jim Bridal and requires two‑thirds board approval under 55 ILCS 5/6‑1003, a statutory citation read during the meeting. The board voted in favor of the ordinance by voice vote.

Separately, the board approved a resolution to allow contract funds to pay for an audit of the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund (item 7A1G). Member Corey Byrne asked whether the terms and scope for the audit had been defined; the board’s response was that the scope has not yet been developed and that an RFP would be issued to define the audit work. Board members were told the RFP and scope would be developed with government partners and that the RFP would return to the board for approval of any proposal.

Why it matters: The emergency appropriation authorizes immediate funding adjustments intended to support behavioral‑health coordination. The audit resolution directs resources to an external review of a significant county fund that has been the subject of recent public discussion; board members emphasized that the audit scope and vendor selection will be a separate, participatory process.

Decision details and next steps: Both measures were moved and seconded in committee and passed in the meeting. County staff said they will issue an RFP to define the audit scope and that the RFP will include government partners so municipalities and stakeholders can participate in defining the work. The RFP and selected proposal will be returned to the board for final approval before contracts are executed.

Speakers quoted in this article are board members and staff who discussed the emergency appropriation and the audit process; quoted statutory language reflects a citation read during the committee presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Board 7/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The McLean County Board approved an emergency appropriation ordinance for behavioral health and a resolution authorizing funds for an audit of the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund; the audit scope will be defined via an RFP returned to the board and will include municipal partners in its scope development.","taxTitle","McLean County, Illinois","taxId",2553,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165874,"McLean County recognizes July as Disability Pride Month; 377 board highlights $830,000 in 2025 investments",412,951000,1363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676&start=951&end=1363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6165874/McLean-County/Illinois/McLean-County-recognizes-July-as-Disability-Pride-Month-377-board-highlights-830000-in-2025-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165874-dddc5a9833c338302f30201e76f625c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156278&Signature=MVOMw-n6RqsijjRTP7ZQMTCrVbfFMvHE0rmS9qUB4vIOHGAe-xtXmFgApvzu~lPo4hbXxKrNf~rZx2LJZd-nkJCORZTN~ZeZpG~8yFgBM~frv7xq0X23EBAQKEbQ9~Vxp7V2OUqU0To0~9bCyDMq8KoyBTSsHGz7xC3eo5ePzLQePkzYqSmY~n8KzQIJIn0W-95KVRY4zGd4p9THdbI0OfEu-vJPw4pPLHbqIsRfJrrmrjC2BfVwtai6EqCNNBsyFVSAcJM1HgwMPJ2Sea9SjhH2aTZ-ymJ70U9qlLqFnLsIAzRfR1H3KZcl5O3tDphvSD4qrYnOpRFXVS23B4nA6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The McLean County Board presented a proclamation recognizing July 2025 as Disability Pride Month and invited leaders from the McLean County Board for the Care and Treatment of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (the “377 board”) and local providers to speak about services funded through county allocations.

Member Cline read the board’s proclamation and said it recognizes the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ongoing role of local providers and the 377 board. Becky Hines, chair of the 377 board, described the panel’s role: “We’re a small board of 5 members and it’s our charge to take that $800,000 plus that Leah mentioned and allocate it to programs where it’s needed most,” Hines said, adding that funding supports services from birth through old age.

Representatives from Lifelong Access and Easterseals introduced themselves and briefly described programs that receive 377 board funding. Carl Kopp, CEO of Lifelong Access, said the organization has been in the county for 70 years and thanked the board for its support of “person‑centered services.” Eric Lowe, vice president of clinical operations at Easterseals, said the agency provides therapy services primarily for children through age 18.

Program and budget detail: The proclamation and presenters stated that the 377 board will invest “over $830,000” in 2025 in programs including early intervention, behavioral therapies, vocational training and supported living. The proclamation also stated that in 2024 more than 1,500 McLean County residents received direct services funded by the 377 board.

Decision/next steps: The proclamation was presented to provider representatives and board members; no separate vote on funding allocations was recorded during the proclamation presentation. Providers thanked the board and highlighted ongoing service delivery in the county.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who introduced the proclamation or spoke from provider organizations during the presentation at the meeting.","The McLean County Board read a proclamation recognizing Disability Pride Month. Representatives from the County’s 377 board, Lifelong Access and Easterseals described services funded by the 377 board and said the board will invest more than $830,000 in developmental‑disability services in 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165879,"University of Illinois Extension warns SNAP‑Ed funding will end in Illinois after House Bill 1 changes",170,529000,699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676&start=529&end=699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/6165879/McLean-County/Illinois/University-of-Illinois-Extension-warns-SNAPEd-funding-will-end-in-Illinois-after-House-Bill-1-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165879-47b598314f4d0ddb362d2fda225c8454/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156278&Signature=KNytiKMcV4sld5DisFm4GlSwewX15P8~et2P5SgWi3RrjBWPwZSQbz2yAzIOK8qG1-eNCCgV1DDlbODpDoj1s1XLmiT22-QSHw84qZ5kSn6teVWo0PmSKdR-QAoPeYVKChnOMyJa77psD1L9muBWmQtfEjbEuyUPi1TRvMqr~V~~h9wsWyvQT4gepEYxCtHDVxyi16SoyNw~xYr3Zk9DYrEfYAcl5GN0Mi8e75LXNmL3mVNTU3yMno8WKWS8zLHoLL7jdGnbjNhOwYcZ~q5OfGz9JnlApQLrjC44bvhkyXWdNn07vd6Tl1Ut8MwzKd5plvmo1karu58Fk3EEkm4u9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie Buckley, county director for the University of Illinois Extension serving Livingston, McLean and Woodford counties, told the McLean County Board that state changes tied to House Bill 1 will effectively end SNAP‑Ed programs in Illinois and that the local Extension office is pursuing alternatives to maintain services.

“SNAP Ed programs will no longer exist in Illinois,” Buckley said, adding that Illinois currently receives about $19 million annually for SNAP‑Ed and that “Livingston and McLean Counties receive approximately $350,000 each year.” Buckley described SNAP‑Ed as a federally funded nutrition‑education and obesity‑prevention program serving low‑income populations and outlined local impacts in 2024: eight K‑12 school partnerships, three early‑childhood partnerships, five emergency‑food site collaborations, 13 community‑organization partnerships, 293 nutrition‑education classes and 1,178 participants reached.

Buckley said the Extension office is “actively exploring alternative funding models to continue delivering these essential services” and provided contact information for follow‑up. She also invited the board and public to the McLean County 4‑H show and fair, noting drop‑off and judging dates in late July and livestock shows through the week.

Why it matters: SNAP‑Ed supports nutrition education and access programs that local schools and community partners use to reach low‑income residents. Buckley’s figures indicate the loss of dedicated SNAP‑Ed funds would reduce local programming that supports food security, chronic‑disease prevention and school‑based nutrition education.

Speakers quoted in this article are from the University of Illinois Extension presentation; all numerical and program details come from Buckley’s report to the board.","Katie Buckley, McLean County director for University of Illinois Extension, told the board that sweeping changes from House Bill 1 will eliminate SNAP‑Ed in Illinois and that local programs that previously received about $350,000 annually face funding loss; Extension is seeking alternative funding to continue services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165884,"Residents tell McLean County Board the regional land‑use plan is flawed and rollout rushed",3554,304000,3858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676&start=304&end=3858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6165884/McLean-County/Illinois/Residents-tell-McLean-County-Board-the-regional-landuse-plan-is-flawed-and-rollout-rushed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165884-0ab2bae989db1370d2a77befa511d1e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156278&Signature=H-X3nT653~--H6a28y3oLbUQpOlCraG9VDSImbIJvhf9CDWce~ATyO2ZQLlgv9up-1KaKM4y5aUtgH2vSGYwYWbUCCG-~bOJxk4zTEdKrZNmDUU4DWG6NOCoN7TtOIbuTVv3Q8LNwuGJ-P-mFVu6oNbhzFzQt0qKrZ3TTwyqJdNorIa6mljFE8CzpZH6RQbY~NsxUXsUw68S9MFEmDRN-xuJGJ1Tfs9Pzog4Qa5z1cceO7uzRsZ0Mb-nr2QUQXI5opyr3jnmA2dJj8JpXSacEWtntomp2mW5lLDZ3DDlpIUXr2XvApyPeYnKPb0eJ4WI5Rx5une3Hzd1TVoNvOqWiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the county’s public‑comment period to urge McLean County Board members to oppose or delay adoption of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission’s (MCRPC) draft strategic land use plan, saying the map contains errors, inadequate outreach and potentially harmful land‑use recommendations.

Ruth Burke, who identified herself as a resident of Old Town Township and a farmer, told the board the plan’s land‑use map “is riddled with errors” and argued the document would be prescriptive if adopted. “My ask, my plea to all of you is that you simply vote no when this plan comes up for a vote,” Burke said, and invited board members to visit her farm to see protected wetlands and sustainable practices she said would be threatened by proposed industrial activity.

Another resident, Trisha Braid of Hayworth, criticized the commission’s outreach and said municipal officials in multiple townships had not received substantive requests for input. Braid read an email she said came from the commission chair and called the rollout “rushed”: “This plan is being rushed to completion with a press release, a survey link, and some invitations for PowerPoint presentations. That’s not community engagement,” she said.

Board response and context: Member Leah Klein — who chairs the Land Use and Transportation Committee — thanked participants and urged board members to review the draft and share feedback with the McLean County Regional Planning Commission, noting the plan remains subject to revision. Klein also referenced the commission’s June 24 press release that said feedback would inform a final map anticipated by August 2025; Braid and others said that schedule, and the breadth of outreach claimed in the release, were inaccurate or incomplete.

Details raised in comment: Residents said the draft map places an artist’s farm and a separate earthwork near an ISU Horticulture Center at what they described as economic and ecological risk; Burke cited a figure of more than 1,400 acres of proposed industrial activity in southeast Bloomington. Burke also cited contact counts from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance — “68 contacts” within a 15‑mile radius of ZIP code 61701 and “over 400” within 50 miles — as part of her argument about local agricultural connections that the plan could disrupt.

Decision/next steps: No board vote on the MCRPC draft plan occurred during the meeting. Klein reiterated that the draft remains under review and asked board members to distribute the plan to constituents and forward feedback to the regional planning commission.

Speakers quoted in this article are the public commenters and the board member who addressed the plan; quotes are attributed to those individuals as spoken at the meeting.","Two local residents urged the board to reject or delay the McLean County Regional Planning Commission’s draft strategic land use plan, saying the map contains errors, the outreach has been uneven, and the plan could prescriptively alter farmland and environmentally sensitive areas.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165889,"McLean County board approves $353,000+ generator upgrade after safety and vaccine-storage concerns",1707,2112000,3819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676&start=2112&end=3819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5417131-edb7248888c6777f951aec2e5b775676/thumbnail_2112000.jpg","/articles/6165889/McLean-County/Illinois/McLean-County-board-approves-353000-generator-upgrade-after-safety-and-vaccine-storage-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165889-98ea33ff524a867fdbf51359d71f60cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156278&Signature=SZkGovUax1t~B9bnNny9FnjGiiC4TV8-jJu5KhANJeUOme2bm-giJV4PKZdonyLpGYyK-qMNbdq8i2Dzey85XlC8mZguj3kGGH2whACBwJMbMoO4LvKMFKuAkrJ7Byqxyu-4~JvmTwXWcfnrKj-0zvn8eHpX3W5jkLkNK4CtT~bmo0iSMIN2jxBUZkVpTnHKt3RD~Z7CDYa3Je37xi8rx3TFNAgHGCMao0evYMGVJqhVaUKdDrODmx~UyfXJBjvtO0at6pQ72Egjczyx0qcUIw63Q4ruHdfCYdrSlFPuQ0qLa48NZmzqEZBBAFqu27OEtg6vHNerLOeZCKteA1uKpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McLean County Board members approved a master installation agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. to replace and reconfigure emergency power systems at the county’s 200 West Front Street building, citing code compliance and the need to protect medical-grade vaccine refrigerators.

The action, presented as item 7E1A and moved by Member Crystal Abel, cleared the board after a lengthy discussion about scope, cost and risk. The project’s bid was described in the meeting as roughly $353,000; Johnson Controls staff and county building officials said the final price reflects not just a new generator but added transfer switches, conduits, panels and wiring to meet current National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements related to medical loads.

Board members and contractors said the building’s current generator is about 49 years old and has been “limping” along; replacing it now would avoid an emergency failure that could force costly last‑minute solutions. Jason Myers, a program consultant from Johnson Controls, introduced his team and told the board, “I’ve got Jim Beazer here to my immediate left. Jim leads up our operations team at Johnson Controls and then Amir Haggigat, heads up our engineering group for this project.”

Why it matters: County staff said the need to reconfigure emergency power was driven by the inclusion of medical‑grade vaccine refrigerators in the health department. As explained during committee discussion, storing vaccines triggers additional NEC and program requirements, which in turn require separating life‑safety and medical/emergency loads onto different automatic transfer switches and dedicated panels. As one county official explained, “It’s not just those coolers” but additional life‑safety and egress needs — lighting, exit signs and elevators — that must be addressed.

Discussion details: Member William John Friedrich pressed staff on the apparent disparity between the price and the limited number of refrigerators the upgrade will protect, saying, “It looks to me I could go to Lowe’s and get a generator,” and asking for a line‑item breakdown. Contractors and county staff explained the bid covers new conduits from the penthouse to the mechanical room, new panels and transfer switches, wiring and a generator with dual breakers, plus labor to move and reassign loads to meet current code.

County Health Department representatives and the health committee emphasized program risk. Director Elizabeth McKnight told the board the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) and related 317 program rules require continuous temperature monitoring, approved medical‑grade refrigerators and backup monitoring; noncompliance can force providers to discard vaccines. As McLean County staff summarized, refrigerators on hand during busy months can represent “hundreds to thousands” of dollars in vaccine inventory at risk if temperatures are lost.

Options and mitigations raised: Board members and contractors discussed alternatives such as seeking a variance from the electrical inspector, installing battery backups for the refrigerators, or using temporary generator ties during an emergency. Contractors said battery backup for the refrigerators was technically viable but would require isolating those loads; lead time for a permanent generator was described as roughly 16 weeks. The contractors also noted that some infrastructure work would be required regardless because existing panels are old and would be brought up to current code whenever changes are made.

Decision and next steps: The board approved the master installation agreement. Staff noted the item had been tabled from the June meeting and that contractor and county staff would proceed with the installation and associated electrical work as scoped in the agreement.

Speakers quoted in this article are board members and county or contractor staff who spoke during the 7E1A discussion; direct quotes are attributed to them using the names and roles they used in the meeting record.","The county approved a master installation agreement with Johnson Controls to replace a nearly 50-year-old generator and rework electrical systems at the 200 West Front Street building after staff and contractors cited code requirements tied to medical-grade vaccine refrigerators and potential loss of federally supplied vaccines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves emergency appropriation for behavioral health and funds audit of Mental Health and Public Safety Fund

McLean County recognizes July as Disability Pride Month; 377 board highlights $830,000 in 2025 investments

University of Illinois Extension warns SNAP‑Ed funding will end in Illinois after House Bill 1 changes

Residents tell McLean County Board the regional land‑use plan is flawed and rollout rushed

McLean County board approves $353,000+ generator upgrade after safety and vaccine-storage concerns