Evenly divided McLean County Board must compromise to choose its chair

Posted on December 5, 2022

*All 20 board members are scheduled to be sworn in Monday at 8:30 a.m., and then they’ll reorganize by picking a chair and vice chair. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County voters chose 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats to the county board last month, meaning compromises must be made to pick their leaders.

That hasn’t been a problem in the past because the board has been controlled by Republicans. However, their dominance has declined in recent years, and one of the biggest challenges for the new county board is just “getting off the ground,” said a person familiar with the situation.

All 20 board members are scheduled to be sworn in Monday at 8:30 a.m., and then they’ll reorganize by picking a chair and vice chair.

Current Republican Chairman John McIntyre confirmed to 25 News he wants the job he’s held since 2016.

To win majority support for McIntyre, the GOP will have to make concessions, including a proposed agreement for Democrats to become the board’s vice chair and lead three board committees.

There are currently five board committees, but the board will consider a proposal Monday split the Land Use and Transportation Committee in two so that Republicans and Democrats would each control three panels. The county board also has the Executive, Finance, Health and Justice Committees.

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