By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County’s new state’s attorney is only moving one block to his new office.
The McLean County Board Tuesday morning unanimously approved Board Chairman John McIntyre’s choice of Assistant County Administrator Don Knapp to become state’s attorney. Knapp takes over the office from Jason Chambers, who becomes a circuit judge today.
McIntyre said he chose as objectively as possible among the five candidates.
“It’s been a daunting job for me,” McIntyre told the board before he announced his choice. “I’m sure any of these candidates could admirably serve in many of the counties in the state.”
Knapp replaces Jason Chambers, who leaves the office today to become a circuit judge.
“In my mind, today is a day to celebrate Jason Chambers and his team and all the great work they have done,” Knapp said. “It’s incredibly humbling that Chairman McIntyre and the full board trusted me to not mess up that good work.”
Knapp said he is very familiar with the law enforcement life.
“As a lot of people know, my dad was a cop in this town,” Knapp related. “To continue his work and keep this community safe is what my focus will be.”
Knapp was cautiously optimistic about receiving the appointment.
“I was fully prepared in my mind to be the assistant county administrator today, so I didn’t want to get ahead of myself,” Knapp said. “I’ve been a Redbird fan and knew that they were going to make the NCAA playoffs too many times to think that far ahead.”
The new chief prosecutor and county attorney said he’ll try to make the transition smooth.
“I’ve got some ideas for things in the office, and the number one idea is not to mess up any of (first assistant state’s attorney) Adam Ghrist and Jason Chambers’ good work, so that’s what I’m going to go do,” Knapp added.
Knapp fills the remainder of Chambers’ term, which expires in 2020.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
