McLean County Sheriff discusses need for mental health funding

Posted on September 28, 2015
McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage
(WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County is starting the process of expanding its jail to serve the needs of those with mental health issues.

Sheriff Jon Sandage told WJBC’s Terry James that he doesn’t expect the expansion to be completed until 2018.

“Sometimes it seems like it’s a very slow process,” Sandage said. “But when you’re looking at that kind of money, you want to make sure you’re doing everything right and that you’re building for your needs in the future as well so you don’t have to come back later and say, ‘we didn’t do it right, can we have more of your money?'”

The jail expansion is expected to cost $45 million, Sandage said. Bloomington and Normal both passed one-percent sales tax increases this month, in part to help the county with its mental health needs.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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