HOI reopening plan tabled in McLean County

The board’s vote to table the HOI plan was 12-8. All who voted no were Republicans. (WJBC file photo)

 

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Board decided to table a proposal Thursday night to immediately implement terms of the so-called Heart of Illinois sub-regional proposal, in which 11 counties would reopen businesses at a faster pace than Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.

Our news partner HOI ABC reports none of the other counties, including Peoria County, have adopted the HOI plan. Earlier this week, McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight sent out a memo saying her agency might not be able to handle a potential spike in COVID-19 cases if communities initiate a faster easing of pandemic restrictions.

The board’s vote to table the HOI plan was 12-8. All who voted no were Republicans…Chuck Erickson, George Wendt, Gerald Thompson, Jim Soeldner, Catherine Metsker, William Friedrich, Randall Martin, and Jacob Beard.

Republican Susan Schafer made the motion to table the measure.

“I’m trying to find middle ground here between everybody as to how to move forward,” said Schafer.

Given the health department’s position, Schafer said it’s impossible to implement the HOI plan right away.

“They flat out said they can’t do that immediately. I don’t know what the solution is,” Schafer added.

Wendt called for McLean County to take a leading role in adopting the HOI plan, suggesting other counties would follow suit. Erickson said the more aggressive plan is needed because of the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter sent to board members just hours before their special meeting, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said the HOI plan was originally proposed to “expedite the area’s reopening.” Many elements of the plan will occur under Phase 3 of Gov. Pritzker’s plan, which takes effect Friday.

“Mayor (Jim) Ardis and I always intended this plan to be consistent with Gov. Pritzker’s executive order and use its metrics for implementation,” Renner said.

Democratic board member Sharon Chung feared more people might get sick and die because of confusion between the two plans.

Also voting with the majority was Democrat Elizabeth Johnston, who worried that an increase of coronavirus cases might be the death knell for businesses if they are forced to close again.

Among members’ other concerns was whether the county government would face lawsuits for their decision.

There’s no date set in which the board might reconsider the proposal.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…