Health committee approves extended leave under county code; administrator says federal grant funding remains accessible amid appeal

The McLean County Health Committee voted to approve an extended leave request under county code 108-5-3b following a closed session and heard an update about the status of a federal grant that currently remains accessible under a temporary restraining order.

The committee first moved into closed session on a motion by Member Johnston, seconded by Member Hansen; the motion carried. After the closed session the committee voted on item 4(d)(1)(a), described in the meeting as a "request approval of extended leave per county code 108-5-3b." A motion to approve that request was recorded as seconded by Member Johnston; committee members voted in favor and the motion passed.

Jessica McKnight, Health Department Administrator, updated the committee on the department's federal funding. "The temporary restraining order was upheld that continues the funding. So it is still accessible," McKnight said. She added that the federal government has filed an appeal: "However, the federal government has filed an appeal against that. So that's kind of where we are now is, waiting for what happens after that." When asked whether a hearing date has been set, McKnight replied, "Not that I could find. Nope."

Committee members did not set a public date for further action on the funding; McKnight said the department is prepared to continue operations while the legal process plays out. The committee's next scheduled meeting was announced as June 3, 2025.

The committee did not provide a roll-call vote tally by name in the meeting transcript for the extended-leave item; the transcript records the motion, the second and that the motion passed.