Republicans no longer control the McLean County Board. As a result of this year’s elections the board will remain evenly split with 10 Democrat members and 10 Republican members. The difference now is with the new board being sworn in the balance has now impacted the board’s election of its chair, vice chair and committee chairs. No longer are they all Republicans.
In a shining example of good will the parties showed an admirable willingness to work together in selecting the board’s new leaders. Democrats willingly agreed to allow Republican John McIntyre to continue as board chair. Conversely, Republicans agreed to support Democrat Elizabeth Johnston as vice chair.
And so the deal was done. The board formally elected its new leaders at a Swearing In and Reorganizational Meeting on Monday morning.
The two parties also worked together on appointing new committee chairs. Previously there were five committees. In order to balance the number of committee chairs between parties land use was broken off from the Land Use and Transportation Committee. A new Land Use and Development Committee was then formed bringing the number of committees to six.
The following persons were named committee chairs;
- Republican Chuck Erickson – Justice
- Democrat Val Laymon – Property
- Democrat Jim Rogal – Transportation
- Republican Catherine Metsker – Finance
- Republican Susan Schafer – Health
- Democrat Lea Cline – Land Use and Development
Newly elected board members also drew to see who would serve two year terms and who would serve four year terms. This is done near the start of each decade after the census numbers have been finalized and new districts drawn.
The results of the drawing were;
- District 1 – Republican Adam Reeves – 2 years
- District 1 – Republican Catherine Metsker – 4 years
- District 2 – Republican Jim Soeldner – 2 years
- District 2 – Republican William Friedrich – 4 years
- District 3 – Republican George Wendt – 2 years
- District 3 – Republican Lyndsay Bloomfield – 4 years
- District 4 – Democrat Jim Rogal – 2 years
- District 4 – Democrat Krystle Able – 4 years
- District 5 – Democrat Elizabeth Johnston – 2 years
- District 5 – Republican John McIntyre – 4 years
- District 6 – Democrat Jack Abraham – 2 years
- District 6 – Democrat Beverly Bell – 4 years
- District 7 – Democrat Val Laymon – 2 years
- District 7 – Republican Geoff Tompkins – 4 years
- District 8 – Democrat Jeanne Biles – 2 years
- District 8 – Democrat Lea Cline – 4 years
- District 9 – Republican Susan Schafer – 2 years
- District 9 – Democrat Natalie Roseman-Mendoza -4 years
- District 10 – Republican Chuck Erickson – 2 years
- District 10 – Democrat Cory Beirne – 4 years
McLean County Board District 10 Race Controls Balance of Power
Near the end of the meeting McIntyre shared with the board his hope that they will continue to work together in a spirit of cooperation. McIntyre summarized those thoughts for Cities 92.9 after the meeting.
“To be reasonable and prudent and try to be a leader I thought it very important that we find ways as people to work together … and still try to work on some issues that are important for the operation of this county and the people,” McIntyre said.
