McLean County Board honors ISU Redbirds football team and parks director Mike Steffa's 36-year service

The McLean County Board used part of its consent agenda on Feb. 12 to present two proclamations: one honoring the Illinois State University Redbirds football program for an historic 2025 season and one recognizing long-serving parks director Mike Steffa on the occasion of his retirement.

Vice Chair Ziebarth read a resolution honoring the Redbirds' accomplishments, noting the team's 12-5 record, deep playoff run and academic successes. Coach Brock Spack accepted the proclamation and thanked the board and community; he highlighted team academic performance and said students and players combined athletic and academic achievement.

Shortly after, the board presented an unscheduled proclamation to mark the dedication and 36 years of service of Mike Steffa, park director, who said he will retire on March 3. The proclamation recited Steffa's career path (hired in 1990, named park director Aug. 31, 2008), legacy projects at Kamala/Kamara Park and Evergreen Lake, community events he organized and a McLean County Chamber of Commerce conservation award received in 2021. Steffa thanked colleagues, department heads, volunteers and family during brief remarks.

What's next: The proclamations will be included in the meeting record and the parks department indicated Steffa will send formal thank-yous and that staff and community partners will continue services and events he helped establish.