McLean County Times

McLean County Health Committee met Aug. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Health Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center at 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL.

Members Present: Chair Corey Beirne, Members Eric Hansen, Beverly Bell, Geoff Tompkins and Buck Farley

Members Absent: Member Mike O’Neil

Other Members Present: None

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

Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Tim Wiley, Nursing Home Administrator; Jessica McKnight, Health Department Director

Others Present: Dan Leary, Information Technology; Tammy Brooks, Health Department; Liz German, YWCA

Chair Beirne called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and declared a quorum.

Chair Beirne confirmed with Administrator Taylor there were no requests to speak by members of the public or county employees.

Mr. Beirne welcomed YWCA CEO, Liz German. She provided information on their Stepping Stones program that provides sexual violence services including both counseling, advocacy and educational services. She noted the State has contracts with each county to provide these services, and they are the organization that has the contract with the State to provide those services for McLean County. She went over the services they provide and updated statistics. She noted they had been able to get a grant to modify their space so the clients for Stepping Stones could be allowed more privacy. Mr. Beirne asked if there were any larger or special projects in the near future. Ms. German indicated there were not but they continue to work to keep everyone aware of the services they provide. Mr. Beirne thanked them for work they do. Ms. Taylor noted last year the Mental Health and Public Safety Fund was able to provide funding for them when a grant fell through and at that time they were short staffed and had a waiting list. Ms. Taylor asked if they were able to rectify that situation. Ms. German confirmed they had 65 people on the waiting list to receive services, but had been able to rectify that, so while they try to not have any on a wait list they occasionally have a few for a short period of time. Ms. German noted that last year the State stepped in at the last minute when they lost some federal funding or they would have been in front of the County again looking for assistance.

Chair Beirne presented the Consent Agenda for approval that included the July 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes and invoices for Board of Health, Nursing Home, Jail and JDC Medical and Developmental Disability Board.

Motion by Hansen/Bell to approve Consent Agenda that included the July 8, 2025 regular minutes and invoices for Board of Health, Nursing Home, Jail and JDC Medical and Developmental Disability Board.

Motion Carried.

Jessica McKnight, the Health Department Administrator presented her monthly reports to the Committee. She noted they try to get more student nurses in to learn about public health and were able to get five students in this year. Mr. Beirne asked if they were college or high school students. Ms. McKnight indicated they are currently college students but staff has been talking with the State about programs they could implement for high school and possibly middle school students. Chair Beirne asked if there were any further questions; hearing none, he thanked her.

Chair Beirne presented on behalf of Mr. Tim Wiley, Nursing Home Administrator a request to authorize the Nursing Home Administrator to offer a salary above that identified in Section V.A.3 of the 2025 Compensation Plan.

Motion by Tompkins/Farley to authorize the Nursing Home Administrator to offer a salary above that identified in Section V.A.3 of the 2025 Compensation Plan. Motion Carried.

Mr. Wiley noted he would be sending a reclassification request to Finance this month. He noted this was to add a separate tier for Nurse Managers. Mr. Wiley indicated they received notice today that IDPH had cleared the nursing home to return residents to the wing previously under construction. Mr. Wiley noted they would start moving patients to clear out the next wing for Phase 2 of the project. Mr. Wiley noted limited census numbers due to construction, but then a dip in the market occurred that put them below the numbers they wanted, which has caused them to watch expenses even more carefully than before. He also provided update on agency staffing and assistance they were receiving with aging accounts. Chair Beirne asked if there were any additional questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Beirne noted that Mr. Tabb, Superintendent of JDC was not present but his report was in the packet. Chair Beirne asked if anyone had any questions; hearing none he moved to the next item on the Agenda.

Mr. Beirne noted that Diane Hughes, Jail Superintendent and Alana Strum, Jail Medical were not present but the Jail Medical reports were included in the packet. Chair Beirne asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator indicated she had nothing for the Committee.

Chair Beirne confirmed the date of the next meeting as Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Chair Beirne asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, he adjourned the meeting at 4:20 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08052025-981