McLean County Board member Jim Soeldner reaches for a ping-pong ball in a hat held by McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Pablo Eves to determine the length of the term that he was elected to on Nov. 6. Soeldener will serve a two-year term. (Photo by Erc Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock 

BLOOMINGTON - McLean County Board members drew ping-pong balls today to determine how long their new terms will last.

Because of redistricting that comes with the 10-year census, the County Board is dividing its 20 seats into two and four-year terms.

The board re-appointed Matt Sorensen, R-Bloomington, as chairman. Even though the board added three Democrats (Julie Brandt, Victoria Harris and Sally Pyne) to greatly shrink the Republican majority, Sorensen said he doesn't expect partisanship to ever divide the board.

"The dynamics of the board have shifted a little bit in terms of Republicans and Democrats. I still expect that every member of this board is focused on the right answers and the best answers for McLean County.
I still expect that we will work in relative harmony," Sorensen said.

John McIntrye, R-Normal, was appointed vice-chairman replacing Diane Bostic who was defeated in the Nov. 6 election. McIntyre was elected to a fifth term last month. 

Here are the lottery results (Members in Districts 1, 6 and 10 did not hold a lottery as each agreed to their term length)

District 1: Stan Hoselton (R), 4 years; Don Cavallini (R), 2 years
District 2: Matt Sorensen (R), 4 years; Jim Soeldner (R), 2 years
District 3: George Wendt (R) , 4 years; Julie Brandt (D), 2 years
District 4: William Caisley (R), 4 years; Sally Pyne (D), 2 years 
District 5: John McIntrye (R), 4 years; Sondra O'Connor (R), 2 years
District 6: George Gordon (D), 4 years; Laurie Wollrab (D), 2 years
District 7: Rich Buchanan (R), 4 years; Victoria Harris (D), 2 years
District 8: Scott Black (D), 4 years; Paul Segobiano (D), 2 years
District 9: Susan Schafer (R), 4 years; Erik Rankin (D), 2 years
District 10: Benjamin Owens (R), 4 years, Chuck Erickson (R), 2 years

Here are the newly-appointed committee heads:

Executive Committee: Matt Sorensen
Finance Committee: Benjamin Owens
Justice Committee: William Caisley
Property Committee: Paul Segobiano
Land Use and Development Committee: George Gordon
Transportation Committee: Stan Hoselton
Rules Subcommittee: John McIntyre
Liquor Control Commission: Matt Sorsensen

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.