McLean County Times

McLean County Justice Committee met July 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

Members Present: Vice Chair Natalie Roseman-Mendoza and Members Adam Reeves, Eric Hansen, Corey Beirne and Andy Ziebarth

Members Absent: Members Jim Rogal and Mark Clauss

Other County Board Members Present: Chair Elizabeth Johnston

Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Don Rood, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary.

Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Suzanne Montoya, Court Services; Ron Lewis, Public Defender; Matt Lane, Sheriff; Kathleen Yoder, Coroner; Aileen Pagán Vega, Children’s Advocacy Center

Others Present: Dan Leary, Information Technologies; Lt Jonathan Albee, Sheriff’s Department

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and declared a quorum.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza confirmed with Administrator Taylor there were no members of the public or County employees to appear before the Committee.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented for approval the consent agenda including minutes from the June 4, 2025 regular meeting as well as invoices in the amount of $763,706.75.

Motion by Reeves/Beirne to approve the minutes from the June 4, 2025 regular meeting as well as invoices in the amount of $763,706.75.

Motion carried.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Aileen Pagán Vega, Children’s Advocacy Center Director a request to approve an agreement between the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (DCFS Grant). Ms. Pagán Vega went over the revenue provided by the grant and expenses it would cover.

Motion by Hansen/Beirne to recommend approval of agreement between the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (DCFS Grant).

Motion Carried.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Aileen Pagán Vega, the Children’s Advocacy Center Director, a request to approve the agreement between McLean County CAC and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (VOCA Grant). Ms. Pagán Vega went over revenue provided by the grant and expenses the grant would cover. She noted this was a grant that might be eliminated by the federal government. Ms. Roseman asked if there was a backup plan to provide services if funding was eliminated. Ms. Pagán Vega

indicated the State Children’s Advocacy Center is exploring several funding options. Mr. Hansen asked if the Children’s Protection Network (CPN) could be utilized as a funding source. Ms. Pagán Vega noted the CPN’s funding relies on donations so they fund specific projects as they do not want to commit funds for salaries and fringe in case they would not receive enough donations. Mr. Beirne asked if there were positions that would not be funded if the grant is eliminated. Ms. Pagán Vega confirmed an advocate and a therapist are completely funded by the grant. She also noted that another advocate’s salary was partially funded by the grant. Mr. Beirne indicated he felt the services provided by these individuals would be a notable loss.

Motion by Reeves/Ziebarth to recommend approval of the agreement between McLean County CAC and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (VOCA Grant).

Motion Carried.

Mr. Reeves asked the definition of the VOCA. Ms. Pagán Vega stated that it stood for Victims of Crimes Act and noted they receive this grant because they provide services for children who are victims of crimes.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Aileen Pagán Vega, the Children’s Advocacy Center Director, a request to approve the agreement between CASA of McLean and Logan Counties and the Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates (DCFS Grant). Ms. Pagán Vega went over the budgets these funds are part of to provide for services in McLean, Logan and Ford counties.

Motion by Beirne/Hansen to recommend approval of the agreement between CASA of McLean and Logan Counties and the Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates (DCFS Grant).

Motion Carried.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Aileen Pagán Vega, the Children’s Advocacy Center Director, a request to approve the agreement between CASA of McLean and Logan Counties and the Attorney General of the State of Illinois (VCVA Grant). Ms. Pagán Vega noted there was an increase in this grant’s funding and that the grant supports services provided in Logan and McLean Counties.

Motion by Reeves/Hansen to recommend approval of the agreement between CASA of McLean and Logan Counties and the Attorney General of the State of Illinois (VCVA Grant).

Motion Carried.

Ms. Pagán Vega presented her report to the Committee. Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.

Ms. Taylor presented reports of Ms. Reynolds to the Committee. Vice Chair Roseman Mendoza asked if there were any questions; hearing none she moved to the next item.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza noted there was nothing on the Agenda from Mr. Will Scanlon and the Circuit Court and Court Administrator Scanlon was not present and moved to the next item on the agenda.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Dr. Kathy Yoder, Coroner a request to approve a resolution by the McLean County Board approving the purchase of a power cot and power load system through Sourcewell program from Ferno. Dr. Yoder noted this would be beneficial to staff as it would help with the loading and unloading of decedents. She further noted this was the lowest responsible bid for the system.

Motion by Reeves/Hansen to recommend approval of a resolution by the McLean County Board approving the purchase of a power cot and power load system through Sourcewell program from Ferno.

Motion Carried.

Dr. Yoder presented her report to the Committee. Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked her.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Matt Lane, McLean County Sheriff, a request to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of McLean, Tri Valley Community Unit School District 3, and the McLean County Sheriff. Sheriff Lane noted this agreement was modeled after the agreement with the Olympia School District. He noted the agreement had been discussed with the union and was brought forward this month so the deputy would have time to become familiar with the school building before classes start. Mr. Beirne asked if this was a new service for this school system. Mr. Lane indicated the district had a deputy about 20 years ago. Mr. Beirne asked if a reason had been provided for the addition of a deputy in the school again. Mr. lane indicated he had not been given a specific reason but felt it may have had more to do with their ability to include it in their budget than there being a specific issue.

Motion by Reeves/Ziebarth to recommend approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of McLean, Tri-Valley Community Unit School District 3, and the McLean County Sheriff.

Motion Carried.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza presented on behalf of Matt Lane, McLean County Sheriff a request to approve a Partnership Agreement between Mathew Proctor and McLean County. Mr. Lane noted this was an agreement for the handler of the facility dog, Daisy. He noted Mr. Proctor went through the process to become certified on his own time. He also noted they have already benefitted from having Daisy in the facility.

Motion by Hansen/Ziebarth to recommend approval of a Partnership Agreement between Mathew Proctor and McLean County.

Motion Carried.

Mr. Lane presented his reports to the committee. Mr. Lane noted they had entered into talks with ISU and Decatur to be part of a human trafficking task force as there have been some local issues and they would like to be part of the solution. . Mr. Ziebarth asked for more information as to role of the County in the agreement. Mr. Lane noted that each of the three departments would assign someone to the task force, those individuals would be sworn in as inspector with State Police and would be sent throughout the State to enforce task force goals. He noted that the County would also benefit as there would be equipment and investigative tools provided that can be utilized with other types of investigations. Mr. Beirne asked about human trafficking issues in McLean County and what we hope to solve. Mr. Lane noted that issues have been in the City, which does not fall under their jurisdiction; however, they would be trained on investigating techniques to build cases against human traffickers. He noted this is about being aware, trained and ready to assist. Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza asked if there were any further questions; hearing none she thanked him.

Ron Lewis, Public Defender presented his monthly report to the Committee. Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza asked if there were any questions; hearing none, she thanked him.

Suzanne Montoya, Court Services Director presented her reports to the Committee. Ms. Montoya indicated there would be two graduates of the Veteran’s Treatment Court at 3:15 p.m. on July 15th in court room 4B. She also noted they would be celebrating Judge Workman’s retirement at after that time. Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza asked if there were any comments or questions; hearing none, she thanked her.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza indicated that Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk was not present but his monthly report to the Committee was in the packet and encouraged members to reach out to Administration or Mr. Everhart with any questions.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator indicated she did not have any items for the Committee to consider.

Vice Chair Roseman-Mendoza reminded members that the next meeting date would be Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. She asked if there was any other business; hearing none, she adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07092025-956