McLean County Board roundup: audit accepted, emergency budget amendments and multiple grants approved

The McLean County Board approved multiple routine and budget items, accepted the county audit, and authorized several grant and budget actions in a single session.

Audit and finance actions: The board accepted and placed on file the Popular Annual Financial Report and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025. Members noted the audit produced an unmodified clean opinion, which the chair described as the most favorable audit outcome.

Emergency budget amendments: The board approved emergency appropriation ordinances amending the FY2026 budget for the Tort Judgment Fund (Risk Management Services) and for jail medical services. The finance chair noted these ordinances require a two-thirds vote pursuant to a statutory citation read into the record.

Grants and agreements: The justice committee’s items passed, including a DCFS subcontract/subaward for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and McLean County; Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program grants to the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA of McLean and Logan Counties, and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office. Member Mike O’Neil abstained from the vote on the state’s attorney grant. The board also approved a sponsored research agreement with Illinois State University to track recidivism and program outcomes; Member Leah Klein recused herself from that vote.

Other business: The property committee amendment to the EECBG grant was approved. The county administrator reported budget meetings with department heads are underway. The health committee announced a Behavioral Health Coordinating Committee RFP that could award up to $1.8 million; committee members said the program has awarded more than $5 million so far this year for local mental-health and criminal-justice initiatives.

Procedural notes: Several members recused themselves from specific items due to employment or conflict; abstentions were recorded where noted. Most votes were carried by voice vote and the chair declared motions passed.

What’s next: Follow-up items include implementation steps for the intergovernmental agreement with Hudson, finalization of emergency-appropriation paperwork, and administration of the awarded grants through the relevant county offices.